Boundaries in Christianity

written by Tiffany Smith 

Introduction

I want to spend just a few moments today studying the idea of boundaries. Setting up boundaries for ourselves can help us avoid tempting situations and hopefully committing sin against God. Boundaries help us create distance from situations that may be tempting for us and therefore give us a better chance of not being pulled toward the act of sinning. Let’s look at some examples in scripture.

Examples

Our first example comes from the beginning of mankind. In the garden of Eden the rule given to Adam and Eve was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Later, we see God put another rule into place, and this rule provided a boundary to help keep Adam and Eve from being close to the object that could cause them to sin. 

Genesis 3:3
“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

Our second example follows a similar pattern. Moses presents to the Israelites the service of the feast of unleavened bread in Exodus 13. 

Exodus 13:3-6
 “there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day came ye out in the month Abib. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land… that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.” 

So, the Israelites have been commanded to keep this feast of unleavened bread, but notice in verse 7 they are given further rules to provide boundaries to keep them from the temptation of consuming leavened bread. Verse 7 reads:

“Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.”

In scripture we also find passages that tell us to flee from certain sins. 

1 Corinthians 10:14
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 

1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 

We even have a notable example from scripture of a man choosing to flee from a situation that could have led to fornication. In Genesis 39 Joseph was bought by Potiphar and later made to be overseer of Potiphar’s house. In verse 7 it reads: 

“And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.” 

Joseph goes on to refuse repeatedly, but another precarious situation arises for Joseph. In verse 11-12 it reads:

 “And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house therein. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me”

… And notice Joseph’s response at the end of verse 12, 

“and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” 

Joseph fled from this untoward situation.

Where Should We Flee To?

I suppose a logical question following the idea of fleeing from certain things is to where should we flee? And I suppose the answer is obvious: God. 

The psalmist writes in Psalm 143:9 

“Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.” 

Any situation in which we may be greatly tempted to sin is definitely enemy territory, so we should flee to our fortress: God. And our great tempter will flee when we cling to God. James 4:7 reads,

 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Maiming Ourselves for the Cause of Christ??

Mark 9:43-48

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

This passage seems very extreme, but it is hyperbolizing the idea of creating boundaries in your life. 

Because what we need to strive for is what is right in the sight of God, so that we can have hope of the heavenly kingdom God has prepared, we need to put aside some things. 

Put aside:

• Things that will lead you away from God and your hope of heaven
• Sinful things you have held onto in your life for a long time that has kept you from God
• Personal relationships that wreck your relationship with God
• What is considered “normal” to receive worldly assurances, praise, promotions, relationships, etc. 

Often, what is close to us has the greatest chance of tempting us to stray from the path of righteousness; therefore, we should seek to create boundaries in our lives to help keep us from temptation and ultimately sin.

Conclusion

Take a moment to think on areas of your life where you may already have boundaries set to help keep yourself closer to God. Also, take some time to consider areas of weakness that you may be able to develop boundaries for to help keep you distanced from tempting situations and more focused on sticking to the path of righteousness.