Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7 (ESV)
Boundaries keep us from disrupting the law of sowing and reaping in other people’s lives. God allows us to reap what we sow, so that when we act in ungodly ways, the natural consequences will push us back to God. If we “save” others from those consequences, we short-circuit this process, and prevent them from learning the lesson God would have us learn. May God help us discern the difference between these natural consequences of sin and the testing of our faith that is intended to strengthen us.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
Boundaries define who we are and who we are not. They can be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. Boundaries define what we love and hate, what we will and will not do. Boundaries protect us; they keep good things in and bad things out. They help us balance our freedom and our responsibility. They help us take every thought captive so that we can walk in relationship with God and with each other in a healthy way.
