Sacred Yes, Holy No: How Jesus Views Boundaries

Many Christians wrestle with the tension between love and limits. Aren’t we called to turn the other cheek, bear all things, and lay down our lives? While Scripture does call us to sacrificial love, Jesus’ own life tells a fuller story. He said no to endless demands, withdrew to rest, walked away from toxic encounters, and chose His inner circle carefully.

Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re sacred. As Dr. Henry Cloud reminds us in Boundaries and Lysa TerKeurst echoes in Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, healthy limits preserve love instead of draining it. When we follow Jesus’ example, we discover that saying no can sometimes be the most Christlike thing we do