2 Ways to Establish Healthy Boundaries to Protect Your Marriage

Establishing healthy boundaries is essential to protect your marriage against temptation from the enemy. Proverbs 22:3 shares that “the prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Healthy boundaries are like guardrails and safeguards that promote the health, sacredness, and integrity of your relationship. The enemy will use infidelity to steal, kill, and destroy your marriage (John 10:10). It is important that couples use wisdom, recognizing temptation and red flags before they start to be intentional about cultivating a strong marriage that withstands the enemy’s tactics.
Here are two ways to establish healthy boundaries:
1.  Online boundaries: Being mindful of time spent on the Internet and social media is a safety net to guard against infidelity. Giving more attention to online activities versus your relationship is a recipe for disaster. Also, freely sharing your passwords is a safeguard that promotes integrity and transparency to avoid the tricks of the enemy. After all, love and respect for your spouse means being honest and devoting more time to nurturing your spouse and your relationship. Establishing a set time of turning off phones and computers shows your spouse that they are cherished, important, and worth your attention.
Your friendship with your spouse is important to cultivate a healthy marriage as well. The enemy enjoys using your past to derail your present and future. Something else to consider is rekindling past relationships on the Internet and social media. Honoring God and your spouse at all costs means not reliving your past to prevent present damage to your marriage’s future.
2. Personal boundaries: Any interactions with the opposite sex can be an avenue that the enemy uses to deliberately destroy your marriage. This includes interactions and meetings in person, via email, social media, and phone, etc. Sometimes spouses can entertain the lie of the enemy that “it is okay if your spouse doesn’t know or one meeting won’t hurt anything.” This creates distrust and doorways that the enemy can use to sabotage your union. As a safeguard, intentionally involving your spouse during interactions and meetings can deter the enemy’s plans. Remember, transparency is the key!
Establishing online and personal boundaries will protect your marriage at all costs, building a strong and healthy relationship. What practical boundaries would you consider adding to your list?