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Well, I guess I've gone through life forever being astonished when someone lies to me, ignores my NO, blames me unjustly, or in some other way manifests the boundary violations the devil loves to instigate. I simply assume everyone is honest and find out later to my utter surprise, often to my chagrin, that my assumption was wrong.

Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34).

I say, Well I understand there will be wars and fighting. Other people will do that, of course, but why would anyone want to fight me? I'm simply trying to mind my own business and be clear about it.

Recently I understood this passage in a deeper light. The sword Jesus gives is for protection. He gives this sword to me, not to some faroff warmonger but to me, so I can protect the person and gifts He gave me to develop for His glory.

So Jesus says, "Don't be surprised when people ridicule you, hurt you, and speak false evil of you. In fact, there is a problem if all people speak well of you." (Matthew 5:11; Luke 6:26).

I am to expect that clarifying my boundaries and protecting that which God has placed under my stewardship will cause some people to dislike me and to strike back in some way. If I expect this, perhaps I can be more steady in my use of the sword.

I pray I will learn to use the sword well.