Boundaries: A Biblical Perspectiveናሙና

Myth: Boundaries Are Dishonouring to Our Parents
Truth: Jesus Had Boundaries Even with Those Closest to Him

"Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (Matthew 12:48)

We are called to honour our parents - but does that mean we have to allow dysfunctional behaviour? Many adult children wrestle with this. However, Jesus Himself modeled healthy boundaries with His family. When His mother came to see Him while He was teaching, He did not stop doing the work he was called to to cater to her needs - especially when she was acting inappropriately to begin with.

Instead, He prioritized His mission and made it clear that His spiritual family—those who do the will of God—were His priority. Boundaries don’t mean rejection; they mean living intentionally according to God’s purpose.

Jesus’ example teaches us that prioritizing our calling and well-being does not equate to a lack of love, rejection or disrespect. It means we are stewarding our relationships well.

People who truly care about us will respect our boundaries, and those who push back may be revealing unhealthy expectations.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever struggled with feeling guilty about setting boundaries?
• How does Jesus’ example challenge your views on boundaries?
• What relationships in your life require clearer boundaries for the sake of mutual respect?