“BOUNDARIES” (Part 2)
Celebrate recovery Blog April 2025
Boundaries (Part 2)
TITUS 2:12- “Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Boundaries, are they biblical? Last month we discussed why we need to set boundaries in our lives. When setting those boundaries, should we align them with worldly standards or with what the Bible clearly states in Titus. Proper boundaries aid believers in keeping out worldly influences. Children of the light have no fellowship with darkness. Boundaries limit destructive behaviors, and that is why both God and society have laws and consequences for those who overstep those laws (Romans 13:1-4). Boundaries teach us to accept one another as being different yet still valuable. God uses boundaries to help us appreciate the differences in people rather than being upset by them. When we align ourselves with worldly standards, usually it tends to point to those boundaries set up to control other people and to use those boundaries to expect indulgent demands or to give them a blank check to continually drain our emotional account. Accepting those types of boundaries may lead to a fear of disapproval which can lead to co-dependency.
Biblical boundaries are not selfish when we use our freedom to serve and love one another because we are keeping our own flesh under control. In a Godly relationship, both people are free to love each other and to be themselves because neither is using or manipulating the other. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A believer who sees his need for self-control so he can take responsibility for his own actions and not encroach on others will seek the Lord’s help for growth in this character trait. Being Christ-like means we can say “no” in unselfish, helpful ways. Boundaries can be difficult to establish because saying “no” may have been off limits or mistakenly taught us to being ungodly. God says to tell the truth in love. God tells us to humbly control ourselves, lovingly confront sin, graciously accept others, and overcome evil with good. Plus, He promises wisdom in every circumstance!
In Celebrate Recovery when discovering the reason or reasons someone attends, maybe because there were unhealthy boundaries in place, it is easy to understand why there is a need for us to learn how to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and moreover set up healthy Biblical boundaries in our lives. Celebrate Recovery helps us to understand that though our lives may seem out of control or unmanageable, when we begin to set up healthy boundaries, start a relationship with Jesus Christ, and set attainable goals, we may begin to start living the life God had planned for us all along. I’ll leave you with this Psalm as I feel it speaks volumes to our walk with Biblical boundaries. Psalm 25:4-5 “ Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Excerpts of this blog were taken from an article “What are boundaries and are they biblical?” from Got Questions ministry.
Until next month, Blessings to you all. Don.
Celebrate Recovery every Tuesday, 7:00 pm. Good News Community Church. 1010 Julia St. Okoboji, Iowa.
