God's Boundaries Archives | Being Confident Of This

Christian Beware – The Dangers of Greener Grass

June 4, 2019 by jstults Leave a Comment

When we first moved to our small community, one of the things I appreciated most about our new home was the big, beautiful backyard surrounded by a brown picket fence. The security of a fence gave this mama of four much peace of mind!

At the time, our little ones could climb over the fence if they really wanted to, but we made it clear that the child who chose to breach that barrier without permission would face serious consequences.

So, the physical barrier of our fence served as a constant reminder to stay inside where it is “safe.”

But as much as I loved our fence, it could only protect my children if they obeyed me by staying inside its confines. The boundary was no longer useful should they decide to venture outside of it!

The Dangers of Greener Grass

And I’ve seen him, our littlest boy, eyeing the gate from time to time…looking for the proverbial greener grass. What would happen if he chose to leave the security and protection of our fenced backyard for the greener grass?

Perhaps nothing, at first. In fact, we may not even catch him doing it right away.

Escaping negative consequences, he would likely decide to slip out unnoticed again….and again… and yet again… until one time, he ventures far enough to find himself suddenly facing grave danger.

And like disobedient Peter Rabbit suddenly face-to-face with the Gardener, he quickly understands the reason behind the boundary, the one he crossed without permission, the one meant to protect him, not to ruin his fun.

But it’s too late.

The damage is done and now he must deal with the consequences, whatever they might be.

A Biblical Perspective on Boundaries

Does the story sound familiar? It reminds me of Eden. God gifted Adam and Eve with a panoramic paradise, a perfect relationship to enjoy, and a life of ease with all of their needs provided for.

It reminds me of Eden. God gifted Adam and Eve with a panoramic paradise, a perfect relationship to enjoy, and a life of ease with all of their needs provided for.

And he gave them one rule. One.

But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. Genesis 2:17 (NIV)

The scripture records that before they disobeyed, Adam and Eve walked around naked and felt no shame.

Can you imagine? Feeling no shame? Ever? We’d be like toddlers running naked after a bath, full of joy and exuberance, not a care in the world.

Total freedom and wild abandonment – that, my friends, was God’s original desire for us: to live a free and abundant life of pleasure in a world of paradise!

But we chose our own way.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, the whole world changed. They abandoned the the protection of the boundary to venture out on their own, embracing the dangers of greener grass.

The consequences were immediate and disastrous: separation from God.

Imagine the sorrow of a Father God sending his beloved children away from the garden, knowing that for the time being, they would suffer and struggle, knowing also that one day, His only Son would pay a terrible price for their single indiscretion.

Imagine the despair of being forced from that beautiful paradise, and the weight of knowing evil for the first time.

One rule; one choice.

How often are we like these original sinners, or that curious four-year-old? We fail to understand the reasoning behind the boundaries God sets for us.

Instead, we seek the illusion of greener grass.

Like the four-year-old investigator, we fail to see the danger lurking at first. We might not suffer any harm, or so we think.

But each time we leave those boundaries that our loving Father set to protect us, we take a bigger risk. And one time, we’ll have gone too far.

We’ll find ourselves face to face with danger, with the serpent, with Satan.

With His lies, he ensnares.

He promises freedom, but delivers slavery.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (NIV)

The Truth about Greener Grass

My friends, why oh why do we choose to leave the protection of the fence? Why do we ignore God’s carefully placed boundaries?

There isn’t any greener grass; in fact, it’s a hollow deception, a mirage. What lies on the other side of that lovingly placed boundary is

t…h…i…c…k mud,

sand,

miry clay.

That movie that you really shouldn’t watch, that book you shouldn’t read, that person you shouldn’t be with, that unhealthy substance you so desire, all provide satisfaction that is only temporary at best, not forever paradise. Your choice to willingly disobey only brings you danger, heartaches and burdens, so many burdens.

And each time you venture out, you risk more. You risk a reputation, a relationship, a marriage, a child, a ministry, sometimes even your very life.

God’s Boundaries Protect Us

The truth is, the only green grass you’ll find in life, the only abundant paradise, is right within our Father God’s fence. His boundaries exist for you, not against you; for your benefit, not your detriment; for your protection, not your suffocation.

Like a parent looking after a beloved child, He gently guides you away from evil in this world, if you allow Him.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8 (NIV)

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3 (NIV)

So, the next time you think you see a prime piece of greener grass just over the boundary, remember Who built the fence and why He built it. Remember that what He most desires for you is life abundant. Remember the dangers of greener grass!

If you choose to stay inside the protection of the fence, the only thing you’ll miss out on is the Serpent’s deceit and the slavery that follows.

Choose freedom.

Choose abundance.

Choose life.

Jen 🙂

Here’s a great article with tips on dealing with temptation!

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The 5th Cookie ~ a Lesson in Boundaries

February 15, 2015 by stultsmamaof4 26 Comments

As my friend tells it, the whole ruckus started over the fifth cookie. We were at Mom’s Group, a small gathering of moms with young children, when her daughter begged for just one more cookie.

Unfortunately, she’d already eaten four others, and my friend was afraid that the preschooler might become physically ill if she ate any more. So, my friend said no like a good mom who is always looking out for her child’s well-being.

However, her daughter saw the “no” as coming from a mean mommy who wanted to limit her fun and pleasure. She wanted that fifth cookie, and she wanted it bad! How could her mommy deny her such a good thing?

A loud power struggle ensued as my embarrassed friend removed her daughter from the room for some discipline.

When my friend recounted the incident later that day during our parenting class, I realized something important – sometimes I’m like the preschooler who wants the fifth cookie!

We’ve talked before here in this space about how God creates boundaries for us because He loves us, not to keep us from experiencing pleasure or to deny all our wants. He creates boundaries simply for our own protection, much like my friend, the loving mother. She said no in order to protect her child, to keep her child from pain of a belly-ache, the harm of the consequence of over-indulging.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father lays out boundaries in His word in order to protect us, to keep us from harmful consequences. I’d like to pretend that those boundaries are for really “serious” sins like murder, stealing, sexual immorality, idolatry, blasphemy, and so forth. But the truth is that the boundaries are for so-called “little” sins, too.

Even sins like over-eating.

Yes, sometimes I’m the preschooler who wants the fifth cookie, but the Holy Spirit tells me no. Then it’s my choice whether or not to heed that boundaries that the Father has put into place for my own protection.

You see, He knows the ultimate consequences of the fifth cookie – not just the extra weight, but the potential health risks that go along with it. Even more, He knows what that lack of self-control says about the condition of my heart!

When I’m just dying for the fifth cookie, or the slice of pizza, or the brownie, or the glass of cherry coke, I’m allowing myself to be ruled by food, by pleasure. Our Father isn’t content that I should be a slave to food, nor to any other earthly thing (or person). He sent His one and only Son just for this – to set us free!

I long for this freedom, don’t you, my sisters in Christ?

I shared earlier this year about my one word – persevere. When I chose this word (or when it was chosen for me), I knew that one area in which I needed to persevere most was in this area of healthy eating and healthy living. I’ve bought into the lie that I cannot change these habits for too long now.

1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The Father is setting new boundaries for me, and sometimes I don’t like it. Like the preschooler, I fight it.

I fight Him.

I justify that one more bite won’t hurt. One more cookie will be okay. Surely my Father wouldn’t deny me this simple pleasure, right? After all, I have freedom in Christ for all things, yes?

Don’t fall for those lies, sister.

Don’t be Eve in the garden, taking just one bite of juicy, forbidden fruit!

If I’m crossing the boundary in having that fifth cookie (or third, or maybe even the very first one!), then I’m opening myself up to all of those consequences that He so desperately wants to keep me from.

Maybe you don’t struggle with food, my sisters in Christ, but I’m sure you struggle with His boundaries in another area – loving others? obedience? abiding in Him? keeping your thoughts pure? respecting your husband? being patient with your children? honoring Christ every day (not just on Sundays)?

That fifth cookie, that movie you’re dying to see, that strong word bursting forth from your mouth, that stray thought, that questionable relationship, that extra sleep – whatever it is that keeps us from the abundant good God has planned for our lives quickly becomes slavery. His boundaries are better, friends.

1 Cor. 10:23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.“I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

Whatever your struggle might be, recognize that our Father lays out your boundaries because He loves you, because He wishes to protect you from harm! Remember that you have the power of Christ in you – the ability to overcome!

I’m learning that this food battle is going to be just that – a real war. I need His strength to persevere. I need His will-power to say no to the fifth cookie, even if My Fitness Pal says I have still have calories left in the day. 😉

I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and rely on His leading moment by moment. One day at a time. That’s how I’ll persevere in this area of healthy living.

By His strength and grace alone!

Jen 🙂

Fat Girl Insecurities

Fighting Weight-loss Failure

Sharing with: Grace and Truth, Tell His Story, The Mommy Club, Wedded Wednesday, Fellowship Friday

The Truth About Greener Grass

June 18, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 18 Comments

Have you ever been tempted by greener grass? Something that just looked too good to resist?

Often as Christians, we fail to appreciate and recognize the protection of living inside of God’s boundaries. Instead, we view them as obstacles to our own pleasure and enjoyment.

I’ll never forget a lesson I learned about boundaries and greener grass years ago when our youngest two were just preschoolers. We had just moved to a new community, and one of my favorite benefits of our new home was it’s fenced-in backyard! The security of a fence gave this mama of four a lot of peace of mind!

Our children were under strict instructions to never leave the protection of the fence without permission. They knew swift consequences would follow if they should choose to disobey.

But I had seen him, our littlest boy, eyeing the gate from time to time…looking for the proverbial greener grass.

What would happen if he chose to leave the security and protection of our fenced backyard for the greener grass? Perhaps nothing, at first.

Perhaps nothing, at first.

In fact, we may not even catch him doing it right away.

But it’s too late.

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