I understand many people do not know this yet (I’d like to think it’s largely due to a lack of discernment), but setting healthy boundaries in relationships is a biblical principle that fosters respect, love, and emotional well-being.
The Bible speaks clearly about the importance of protecting our hearts, minds, and spirits, while also honoring others.
Boundaries are not about building walls, but about creating space where respect, mutual care, and godly love can thrive.
By establishing boundaries, we safeguard our emotional health and strengthen our ability to love and serve others in a way that aligns with God’s agenda.
These 35 Bible verses offer wisdom on how to set boundaries in relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues, helping us live in harmony while remaining true to our faith.
Bible Verses About Setting Boundaries in Relationships
1. Proverbs 4:23 – Guard Your Heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
2. Matthew 7:6 – Wisdom in Sharing
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.”
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Influence of Company
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
4. Galatians 6:5 – Personal Responsibility
“For each one should carry their own load.”
5. Proverbs 22:24-25 – Avoid Toxic Relationships
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
6. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – Control Over Personal Behavior
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
7. Romans 12:18 – Living in Peace
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
8. Proverbs 13:20 – Influences of Friendship
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
9. 1 Corinthians 10:23 – Boundaries in Freedom
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.”
10. Proverbs 14:7 – Avoid Foolishness
“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
11. Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding Our Minds
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
12. Mark 12:31 – Love Your Neighbor
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
13. Matthew 18:15 – Confronting with Respect
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
14. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Setting Boundaries with Wrongdoers
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
15. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee from Evil Desires
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
16. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Flee from Sexual Immorality
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
17. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Influence of Others
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
18. Matthew 5:37 – Honesty in Boundaries
“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
19. Ephesians 4:26-27 – Anger and Boundaries
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
20. Proverbs 4:23 – Guard Your Heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
21. 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Unequally Yoked Relationships
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
22. Galatians 6:2 – Carry Each Other’s Burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
23. Psalm 141:3 – Protection from Harmful Words
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
24. Colossians 3:13 – Forgiveness and Boundaries
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
25. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love and Forgiveness
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
26. Proverbs 25:17 – Boundaries in Personal Space
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.”
27. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – Freedom and Boundaries
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
28. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Fleeing Evil Desires
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
29. Proverbs 14:7 – Choosing Who to Associate With
“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
30. Romans 12:2 – Renewing Your Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
31. Titus 2:11-12 – Living a Godly Life
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
32. Matthew 18:15 – Reconciliation with Boundaries
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
33. Psalm 119:11 – Hiding God’s Word in Our Heart
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
34. 2 Samuel 22:31 – God’s Protection
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
35. Hebrews 12:14 – Pursuing Peace and Holiness
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Setting Boundaries in Relationships
Setting boundaries in relationships is not just about self-preservation but about ensuring that our interactions reflect God’s love, truth, and grace.
The Bible is full of wisdom on how to maintain healthy relationships that honor God and promote emotional well-being.
Boundaries are essential for protecting our hearts, minds, and spirits from negative influences while ensuring that we can love others without compromising our own integrity.
Through setting boundaries, we learn to respect both ourselves and others, keeping our relationships healthy and godly.
By following biblical principles of discernment, humility, and wisdom, we can cultivate relationships that honor God’s will, bring peace, and foster growth for everyone involved.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wisdom in setting boundaries.
Help me to guard my heart and mind from unhealthy influences and to set boundaries that reflect Your love and truth.
Give me the discernment to recognize when to step back, and the strength to do so with grace and humility.
Teach me how to love others from a place of strength, while respecting my own needs.
I trust in Your guidance as I navigate relationships, and I ask for Your help to honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.