Archive - March 5, 2013

II. Spiritual Boundaries

To read this blog series from the beginning, click here.

This category is oftentimes overlooked which means it is extremely unprotected. If you are following Christ, I would hope that you are attracted to a “Godly part” of a guy.

I sure was with Kevin. When I met him, my first thoughts were not – “Wow! what a stud!” Really, he was just that class clown in Greek class who liked some stupid football team that I had never heard of before.

But when did things change? When I saw him interact with the guys at college that he was discipling. He truly cared about the salvation of these guys. Then we interned together with our church’s youth group. We were like a dynamic duo – we were doing almost every aspect of our job together. I didn’t have a crush on him yet, but I got to know him extremely well.

One reason I fell in love with Kevin is because it was evident from his life that He was in love with Christ. So how did that impact our list of spiritual boundaries? Here’s what they looked like when we started dating:

• Don’t have one on one Bible studies together.
• Don’t be each other’s accountability partners.
• Don’t share your most intimate struggles with him.

 As we continued in our relationship and got engaged, these spiritual boundaries naturally, and rightly, broke down. But even today, Kevin is not my sole source of spiritual growth. I must consistently read the Bible for myself and gather with a group of Godly women who encourage me and act as accountability partners.

As married people, Kevin is the spiritual leader of our household. Ephesians 5:31-32 tells us:

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

There is more at stake in our marriage than just a ring on our finger. Kevin is to love me like Christ loves the church. And I am to look to Kevin like the church looks to Christ.

Why do we need spiritual boundaries?

We need spiritual boundaries first and foremost so that our minds stay focused on Christ. If we’re not careful, our boyfriend/girlfriend relationship can become an idol. Our lives become consumed with thoughts for the other person. Rather, our relationships are to point us as well as the people around us, to a better understanding of the Gospel.