Living Between the Extremes - Lesson 3 - Biblical Boundary #1

As inspired by Discipleship Lesson 13: Liberty in Christ

Some of our Biblical boundaries are clearly defined as pertains to our relationship with God. Our relationship with our parents and our relationship with others. Even our relationship with our spouse.

Even if we don’t like what those boundaries are they are clearly defined. We can modify them in our minds but they are clearly defined. We can even say, ‘we don’t believe that that’s what the verse means.’

If the boundary is not clearly defined or if ‘we don’t think’ it is clearly defined we can know the right direction.

Even in so-called “gray areas,” we can determine biblical boundaries
through the application of God’s Word.
From a practical standpoint, we can do this
by asking ourselves questions based on biblical truths.

2Peter 1:20, ‘Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.’

Once again here are our eight guidelines for establishing Biblical Boundaries

· Am I being brought under the power of something that should not be controlling my life?
· Am I edifying myself or others?
· Can I ask God to bless it with a clear conscience?
· If the Lord returned at this moment, would I be ashamed?
· Would it cause a brother to stumble?
· Would it be cause for a lost person to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior?
· Dose my conscience condemn me for it?
· What is good or right about this thing that I would allow it in my life?

What does the number 8 represent?





Our 1st Biblical boundary

Am I being brought under the power of something that should not be controlling my life?

1 Corinthians 6:12, ‘All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.’

Once again,
Are we being brought under the power of something
that should not be controlling our life?

Testimony of drinking

Any body else?





James 3:1-6, ‘My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.’

Let’s look at these verses

1. Who is your master, or do you have many masters? A master for different aspects of your life?

2. Are we able to control our mouth? Luke 6:45, ‘…for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.’ So if you can’t control your mouth who is controlling you?

3. Are you the stubborn wild horse that will not allow the master to put a bridle in your mouth?

4. Are the fierce winds directing your path? Or are you governed by the rudder? Which the master is steering?

5. Are you a boaster? A fiery tongue? Or perhaps a sharp tongue?

6. Is something controlling us? And in turn controlling our lives? Is the Master controlling us and in turn Controlling our lives? Or do we go to him when it is convenient?

Do we cling on to scriptures that defend our point?
And overlook the multiple scriptures that are very clear?





Regardless of what has been controlling us
Or directing us,
Or even nudging us.

Let’s look for the answer…

2Peter 1:4, ‘Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.’

Regardless of what you think, you have escaped.
Stop saying you don’t deserve it.
Like that gift you get at Christmas,
‘Oh you shouldn’t have.’
OK give it back then.

Just learn to say thank you
Keep the gift
And no you cannot have the receipt.

2 Peter 1:5-7, ‘And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.’

In a diligent manner
· Faith
· Virtue
· Knowledge
· Temperance – restraint, self-control (opposite – excess)
· Patience
· Godliness
· Brotherly kindness
· Charity

Again the number 8 – new beginnings.

2 Peter 1:8, ‘For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

Sounds great, but what if I don’t have these qualities?





2 Peter 1:9, ‘But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.’

Answer – I am blind and have forgotten the free gift.
Maybe if I beat myself up I will deserve it more.
Maybe if I go through enough nonsense I won’t feel guilty about taking the gift.

Any thoughts here?





2 Peter 1:10-11, ‘Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’

Rather than worrying about it.
Just make it sure.
Just do it.

Do you have any advice for us here?





This verse applies today and also,
will lead us into next week’s topic,
Am I edifying myself or others?

1 Corinthians 10:23, ‘All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.’

Possibly a little pride is controlling us?
What’s in it for me?
They don’t deserve that.
I do more than them.
I’ve been doing it longer than them.

Are our words lifting the Lord up?
Lifting others up?
Or lifting our selves up?

Let’s set the boundaries for what is controlling us.
Our thoughts.
Our words.
Our wants.

Let’s allow ourselves to be molded by
Those 8 diligent characteristics found in 2 Peter
And let’s allow the Lord to control our lives a little more today than yesterday
And a little more tomorrow than today.

next chapter

back to index