When I was younger, I remember a popular question asked in youth groups was, “How far can I go?” How far was too far, and when were we crossing the line into sin? I think we ask the same questions as adults. When does the joke go too far? How far should we push our political agenda before it overtakes our spiritual commitment? When do movie scenes or song lyrics go too far? As married people, when does being friendly cross the line into flirtatious?
In so many areas of our lives, it seems we are determined to push right up to the edge of sin, but back off before crossing the line. Where is that proverbial and perhaps mythical line? Is there an actual line or is it just in our heads? Finally, shouldn’t Christians be far more concerned with fleeing from temptation than with how close they can get to “the line”?
I submit if you are asking yourself how much further you can go without crossing the line, you’ve already crossed it. Let me give you a simple definition of knowing how far is too far: if what you are doing, saying, or thinking would not please or bring glory to Jesus, it’s over the line. This life is not about how much pleasure or satisfaction you can get for yourself. Our lives are to be for one purpose only, and that purpose is to bring glory to God. Anything that isn’t for that purpose is crossing the line into sin. That’s painful, but true.
It is helpful to return often to Philippians 4:8: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.” As you are debating whether you are crossing the line, put your activity to the test of that verse. Being honest with yourself, can you call what you are thinking, saying, or doing honorable, pure, and commendable by God? Is there any scripture that would condemn your thoughts, words, or actions? If it is condemnable, it cannot be commendable.
As dedicated followers of Jesus, the very thought of crossing the line into sin should so repulse and frighten us we never even consider it. Who cares where the mythical line is? Flee from sin and temptation. Run away as fast as you can (2 Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 4:14-15). Don’t spend your time wondering if you are crossing the line. Instead, dedicate your life to avoiding sin. It is a plague and a cancer to our souls. God hates sin, so we must as well.
If you are wondering if your behavior or the behavior you are considering is crossing the line, I assure you it is. There is to be no hint of impropriety in a disciple of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-5). Don’t love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-16), but set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-4). Read, study, and memorize God’s Word so that Christ alone will be the delight of your heart (Psalm 119:11; Psalm 42:1). Wondering if you are crossing the line is putting your focus on the wrong thing. Dedicate yourself to bringing glory to God in all you do, and you’ll never need to worry about crossing the line.