Boundaries or Guardrails?

Listening to Joyce Meyer on the television, her topic is about boundaries or guardrails. In reality it all depends on how you look at it. Special guests were Pastor Andy Stanley and his wife Sandra. Joyce mentioned to them that she does have viewers who are not married, but maybe soon want to be. Immediately I knew that I should tune in and listen carefully. 

We all know the purpose of the guardrail. It's an area where if the rail is not present you could drive. However, it is there to keep you from the edge. Pastor Stanley mentioned that today's culture likes to live out on the edge, but when living out on the edge, you make that one, tiny mistake it will be a disaster. 

In every area of our lives, we need to establish some boundaries. We need to establish these boundaries in our marriages, finances, time, and other relationships. 

The following are not legal issues. They are not sin issues. They are wisdom issues.

Marriage Guardrails

• Traveling alone with the opposite sex who is not your spouse.
• Eating alone with the opposite sex who is not your spouse.

The guardrail conditions your conscience.

Joyce then said, "Don't flirt with danger."

Sandra Stanley suggested that couples pre-establish these guardrails so you won't be blindsided when the issues arise. She gave the scripture from Proverbs 27:12, " A prudent man forsees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished."


The situation may not be wrong, but may not be wise either. Ask yourself, "What is the wise thing to do?" Again I will say that it's not a legal issue. It's not a sin issue. It's a wisdom issue.


Financial Guardrails

• Tell each other everything you do financially.
  Keep a record of what you spend. 

A good marriage protector is not to point fingers. 


Establish time guardrails. Don't cheat the system. We all are given the same amount of time during the week and every day. Nehemiah 6:3 “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

Establish Sexual Guardrails. Ask yourself this question: In light of my past experiences, in light of my future hopes and dreams, and in light of where I am right now, what is the wise thing to do?


You do not have to have a reason why.
It's okay to have a standard.


Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."