What good limitations should I impose on myself?

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

2 Corinthians 10:13We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

We should limit our freedom by living within God’s boundaries. God gives us some limitations to keep us safe. So we should study God’s word to discover how to live as a believer and how to be transformed by his power and presence. Scripture provides the proper boundaries for living. To avoid the truth revealed in God’s word is to ignore the boundaries he has set for us. God doesn’t give these boundaries to restrict us, but to keep sin at bay and stop it from enslaving us.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.”

Psalm 36:1Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.

Jeremiah 5:20-25“Make this announcement to Israel, and say this to Judah: Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’ Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things.”

Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Romans 3:17-18“They don’t know where to find peace.” “They have no fear of God at all.”

God’s limitations on us are his loving restraints to keep us from falling away from him. His boundaries call us to right living, to show mercy to others, and to have a relationship with him. The limitations God places on us are motivated by his love and designed to bring blessings to us and to others. Obeying God out of love and respect allows us to experience the blessings of a relationship with him. Humble acknowledgement of our limitations prompts a healthy respect for the One who is limitless.

1 Corinthians 10:29, 32-33( . . . It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? . . . Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

God’s word clearly gives us some rules to live by, and we should submit and obey those. God’s word also talks much about following the spirit of his law. This includes limiting our freedom and refraining from activities that might cause another to stumble, even though those might be technically fine. We should unselfishly consider others when setting our personal boundaries. One reason for having personal boundaries is to keep us from hurting others. We should be particularly careful to avoid causing others to stumble in their faith.

Proverbs 21:16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

Common sense often helps us establish limits within our Christian communities. It warns us to avoid practices that will lead to trouble. However, we often foolishly allow impulses and emotions to guide our decisions—even important life decisions.