By Col. Scott McChrystal
Battle Ready Ministries Board Advisor
Throughout the history of warfare, boundaries have served a vital role, not only toward achieving victory, but also for ensuring the safety of friendly troops and non-combatants.
I vividly recall a day in Vietnam when my infantry platoon had to medevac civilians who had unwittingly trespassed into a free fire zone. Through rules of engagement established between our military and local officials, villagers had been warned not to cross the boundary designated as a combat zone.
They were dressed in black pajama type outfits and were carrying long sticks that looked like weapons from the air. What a needless tragedy! It’s doubtful that any of the people we flew to the hospital in Danang survived.
Survival in spiritual warfare necessitates boundaries as well. Not a day passes that many warriors on the spiritual battlefield become casualties, some wounded and some unto death. Why? Failure to adhere to the boundaries God has established.
Have you ever stopped to think about the importance of boundaries? No exaggeration—life without boundaries would be utter chaos.
Today’s article is the first of several writings aimed at addressing the topic of boundaries. The first several will examine the importance of boundaries in various areas of our personal lives. Later, I’ll examine boundaries at the societal and cultural level. Finally, this discussion of boundaries will conclude with a look at the role of boundaries at the national and international level. All writing will attempt to capture truth about boundaries through a Christian worldview.
Boundaries Are God’s Creation
In the biblical account of creation, God established boundaries. He created the heavens and the earth. He created light separate from darkness, day distinctive from night. He divided the land from the sea. And in his crowning act, He created man and placed him above and in charge of his creation called earth.
If boundaries have purpose ordained by our Creator, why is our world in such a state of confusion? Why so much hatred and disunity among individuals and nations? What’s happening in so many areas of society here in America—serious crime, addictions, suicide, joblessness, identity issues, and widespread poverty to name just a few.
Answer? In many respects it’s about boundaries. At the personal level, it’s about people failing to set boundaries, follow boundaries, or failure to set the right kinds of boundaries. In other cases, it relates to refusal to honor the boundaries of others. At the national and international level, the behaviors regarding boundaries are similar but carried out at the macro level.
The Bible provides God’s wisdom about boundaries as they pertain to both the physical and spiritual realm. This wisdom encompasses guidance for every area of your life through God’s established boundaries. God’s Word not only identifies His boundaries for our lives, but also clearly states the consequences of obedience or disobedience with respect to those boundaries.
As human beings, we must choose our response to God’s boundaries. We are free to choose, but we’re not free from the consequences of our choices. This is perfectly illustrated through the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 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 3:15-17)
Adam and Eve disobeyed and died spiritually as the result. Since that time mankind has been under the curse of the Fall. Thankfully, Jesus came as our Savior and faith in Him restores us back into right relationship with the Lord, both now and in eternity.
But the challenge regarding boundaries remains. Christians must know, understand, and stay within the boundaries that God has set forth in His Word. Over the years I’ve counseled thousands seeking help to live better lives. I haven’t found that most folks fail to understand the Bible and what God wants them to do. Rather, they understand all too well and simply don’t have the desire, willpower, or strength to do what God’s Word tells them to do.
What’s Your Attitude Toward Boundaries?
When you hear the word boundary, how do you react? Do you think in negative terms and believe that boundaries are restrictive toward your freedom and happiness? A lot of people think that way. They hate road signs and speed limits, they despise rules and regulations, and they pretty much rebel at being under any kind of authority.
What a sad way to look at life! What a tragic way to think about God and the fact that He has established boundaries for our good, not our harm. A frequently quoted Scripture and one of my personal favorites is Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Look what God says about Himself. He’s got plans for you—good plans with hope and a future. Not plans to harm you! The boundaries He sets for you are for your good! Understanding God’s boundaries and following those boundaries are key to you living a full and abundant life.
Boundaries Serve Many Useful Purposes
In preparing to write this article, Judy and I took just a few minutes to consider a few of the positive impacts of having boundaries in our lives— God’s boundaries, that is.
Guide in your search for truth:
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)
Establish the clear path to eternal life:
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (John 5:11,12)
Leads you toward understanding who you are and your purpose in life:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Helps to define your roles and responsibilities:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col 3:23,24)
Prevents you from becoming over-committed:
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:6)
Keeps you from dangerous places:
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121:7,8)
Improves focus and reduces the likelihood of unneeded distractions:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Promotes right thinking versus going to bad places in your thoughts:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)
Increases productivity while reducing inefficiency:
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15,16)
Reduces stress by helping you to prioritize:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33)
Boundaries Are Essential: Practical Examples
Let’s bring this discussion about boundaries to life by citing examples, some of which may hit very close to home. We can do this easily by looking at consequences, the outcomes which occur when God’s boundaries are not followed.
Your Purpose – God’s Will for Your Life:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Our Creator is amazing. Even though there are an estimated 7.9 billion people on the planet, He knows each one of us by name and even the number of hairs on our head. He created you with a purpose and He certainly doesn’t want to keep that purpose from you. Sadly, many folks (even some Christians) don’t believe this. They wander through life like ships without rudders. How sad, and how unnecessary!
Maybe this describes you. If so, things don’t need to remain this way. You can know your purpose. You can know what the Lord wants you to do with your life. I recommend that you begin by searching the Bible for and passages that speak to His revealed will for mankind. For example, God wants all people to be saved.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3,4)
In addition to verses like this, the Lord speaks a great deal about how we are to live as Christians. As a matter of fact, God’s guidance is so massive that none of us will ever do everything right in this life. It’s a process, but it’s a rewarding process when we know that God is transforming our lives in the image of His Son.
As you learn more about God’s revealed will for our lives, the Holy Spirit will begin to speak in more specific terms. He, the Holy Spirit, will guide your path and provide you with an inner witness that you are doing what you’re supposed to do. There’s nothing more joyous and fulfilling than knowing your purpose and doing it.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2)
Your Marriage:
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Obviously, we’re struggling to stay in bounds regarding marriage. The divorce rate in the United States remains steady at between 40-50 percent. The causes for failed marriages range from adultery to poor communication, finances, unmet expectations, and many more. The collateral damage to individuals and families is devastating and the negative effects cascade from one generation to the next. Few families are untouched by divorce. Beyond this, many couples are opting not to marry. God established marriage as the foundational building block of society, but people are choosing to ignore it.
Judy and I know many married couples who are thriving in their marriages. Why? They are adhering to the boundaries that the Lord has established for marriage. How about you?
Your Health:
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. (Proverbs 4:20-22)
The health of the average American is in decline. The military reports that their recruiting efforts are hindered by the small pool of young men and women who are both interested in the military and could meet the basic fitness standards.
Obesity in America and around the world is approximately 40 percent. Hospitals and other medical facilities are overwhelmed by the plethora of health issues- physical, mental, and emotional. Efforts to exercise more, eat better, and monitor general health seem to be on the back burner for many. They simply want a quick fix.
Your life and service to God are important. Therefore, it only makes sense to take care of your body, mind, soul, and spirit to the very best you can. Please make that choice today. Afterall, you have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. He redeemed you at great price—His life!
Hopefully, I have been successful in demonstrating the crucial importance of boundaries in your life. They are God’s idea and, if followed, work very well.
In the next article, we’ll cover boundaries as they relate to your character. Character is the sum of those qualities that define who you are as a person. Christian character is an admirable and achievable goal for all of us.
Note: The Warrior’s Journey specializes in helping military people in setting and following godly boundaries for their lives. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at https://thewarriorsjourney.org/ if we can be of service to you.
if you’re interested in scheduling a Battle Ready Ministries conference at your church, conference, retreat, camp or venue, go to www.battle-ready.org to learn more.
Chaplain (Colonel) Scott McChrystal was commissioned in 1970 and served 31 years on active duty, 10 as an infantry officer and the remainder as a United States Army chaplain. His line officer experience included a tour in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader and three assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As an Army chaplain, he had multiple tours at home and abroad. His final assignment was as the senior chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He retired from active duty in 2005 and served as the Military/VA Representative and Endorser within the Chaplaincy Department for the General Council of the Assemblies of God from 2005-2019. His decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Award, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Army Ranger Tab. His education includes a Master of Business Administration Degree, a Master of Divinity Degree, a Doctor of Ministry Degree, and graduation from The United States Army War College. Additionally, he serves as a consultant to the American Council on Education. In recent years, he and his wife have written several Christian devotionals. In addition, Scott co-authored a Christian action-novel and served as the managing editor for the The Warrior’s Bible, an application bible for the military community. Scott presently serves as the Executive Liaison for The Warrior’s Journey, a non-profit organization that supports the military community. He’s also a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board for Battle Ready Ministries. Chaplain McChrystal and his wife, Judy, live in Springfield, Missouri, and have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
