Don't Overstep

We shouldn’t do more or less than what God’s Word says. When we try to do something God never told us to do, that is when we get into trouble.

When he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Proverbs 8:29 (New International Version, NIV)

At creation, God set boundaries for the seas and oceans, in order to protect man. God was establishing divine order. The same is true in our lives. Our lives stay in order when we obey God. When we disobey, things get out of order and become a mess. In nature, when the sea goes past its established boundairies because of the fall, it brings death and destruction. As we obey God and stay within the boundaries set by Him, we will be safe- sin, satan, and the world cannot destroy us.

God in His love has set boundaries for us. One example is His command for us to not have sex outside of marriage. In setting this boundary, He protects us from hurt, disease, and other effects of sin. When we save sex for marriage, sex becomes a blessing rather than a source of the curse. God knows what’s best for us, and there is safety and protection within His boundaries.

We overstep when we step outside the boundary lines God has established, and as a result we get hurt. God’s Word is our safeguard and the standard for boundary lines. The Bible clearly outlines the boundaries for our lives. We are to do no more or less than what is outlined for us in Scripture.

I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Numbers 22:18 (KJV)

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Ecclesiastes 7:16 (KJV)

As we follow the Word, we won’t do things our own way and destroy ourselves. The Word is protection. Our righteousness and wisdom come from Christ, not ourselves. We need to be balanced, not go to extremes. Don’t try to do things way over your head. We’re not smart enough to run our own lives, so we need to let God’s Word lead us in right paths. As we do, we stay in the boundaries of God. God will show us what He wants us to do.

When we stay in God’s boundaries of safety and follow the guidance of the Word and Holy Spirit, we won’t overstep. Instead, we will step into all God has for us.