Set boundaries for the enemy 1 Samuel 7, 11

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car” (1 Samuel 7, 11).

The children of Israel drove the Philistines far from their territory and built a memorial of the great deliverance wrought for them by Yahweh at the same place where they were defeated twenty years ago. The stone was set to remind them of the help of God from the oppression and assault of the enemy and their renewed faith in God but also a point of demarcation between Israel and the Philistines.

The bible says they pursued the Philistines as far as below Beth Car. Beth Car became a borderline when the story is told of that battle and where the enemy was limited to.

People of God, as we are praying for divine help and the Lord is giving us victory, let us keep the enemy at bay and focus on serving the Lord to the best of our ability.

Let us not give room to the enemy in our lives but set boundary that the enemy cannot cross and we ourselves should not step over. Boundaries that should be kept so that we do not invite the enemy back into our lives or go back to things that the Lord has delivered us from. Let’s “work our salvation with fear and trembling” by avoiding sin and any opportunity for sin. Yes it is true that “by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2, 8-9) but “what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”(Romans 6, 1-2).

For example if the Lord has delivered you from addiction, do not go back hanging out with your sin partners but set a boundary in your relationship with them. If you want to witness to them about your deliverance (which is very good), approach it in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the help of another mature believer around so that you can be accountable.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12, 1).

How do we set those limits?

By crucifying the flesh and feeding not in to its desires: “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6, 11.

Pursuing and investing into our spiritual growth: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2, 22)

By seeking things that edify us in the Lord. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful” (1 Corinthians 6, 12). “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14, 19).