In biblical terms, the concept of "overstepping" often relates to transgressing boundaries set by God, whether they be moral, ethical, or spiritual. The act of overstepping can be seen as a form of sin, where an individual goes beyond the limits established by divine law or God's will.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently addresses the idea of overstepping through the language of transgression and rebellion. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve overstep God's command by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, leading to the fall of humanity. This act of disobedience is a prime example of overstepping divine boundaries, resulting in severe consequences for all of creation.

In Numbers 20:7-12, Moses oversteps God's instructions by striking the rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as commanded. This act of disobedience prevents him from entering the Promised Land, illustrating the seriousness of overstepping God's directives.

New Testament Context

The New Testament continues to address the theme of overstepping, particularly in the context of Christian conduct and community life. In 2 John 1:9 , it is written, "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." Here, "running ahead" can be understood as overstepping the bounds of sound doctrine, leading to a separation from God.

The Apostle Paul warns against overstepping in matters of personal freedom and conscience. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 , he advises, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This caution highlights the importance of respecting the spiritual boundaries of others and not overstepping in ways that could harm their faith.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Overstepping is often associated with pride and self-will, where individuals place their desires above God's commands. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse underscores the danger of overstepping due to pride, leading to one's downfall.

The Bible encourages believers to remain within the boundaries of God's law and to seek His guidance in all things. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's word to avoid overstepping and to walk in righteousness.

Spiritual Boundaries

In a spiritual sense, overstepping can also refer to encroaching upon roles or responsibilities not assigned by God. In the church, this can manifest as individuals taking on leadership roles or teaching positions without proper calling or qualification, as warned against in James 3:1 : "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

Overall, the concept of overstepping in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, obedience, and respect for God's established order. It calls believers to remain vigilant in their walk with God, ensuring that they do not transgress the boundaries He has set for their lives.(v. t.) To step over or beyond; to transgress.

How a Monk Should not Overstep the Proper Hours for Taking Food ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XX. How a monk should not overstep the proper hours for taking
food, if he wants to proceed to the struggle of interior conflicts. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx how a monk.htm

The Devil is Well Practised in Falsehood, by which Adam Having ...
... again, who relegate the death of Adam to the thousandth year; for since "a day of
the Lord is as a thousand years," [4652] he did not overstep the thousand ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the devil is well.htm

Introductory
... have led the Faculty to come across the Atlantic the second time for a lecturer,
and the liberality of mind with which they are wont to overstep the boundaries ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture i introductory.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... Because repentance includes so much, many men would gladly overstep this first
round and begin their Christian life on some round higher up. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

And Jesus Knew Within Himself that his Disciples were Murmuring ...
... hands? [1431] Jesus answered and said unto them, Why do ye also overstep
the command of God by reason of your ordinance? [23] [1432 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xx and jesus knew.htm

2 Cor. vii. 8
... "I regret not now, though I did regret." Even if what I wrote,' he says, was such
as to overstep the [due] measure of rebuke [772] , and to cause me to regret ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xv 2 cor vii.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... 9. Neither the Apostles, nor apostolic men. nor the whole Church, allowed to overstep
these limits. This confirmed by passages of Peter and Paul. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

Concerning the Deification of the Nature of Our Lord's Flesh and ...
... For because the Word became flesh, He did not overstep the limits of His own divinity
nor abandon the divine glories that belong to Him: nor, on the other hand ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xvii concerning the deification of.htm

The Twenty-Sixth Chapter: the Excellence of a Free Mind, Gained ...
... rebel against the spirit. In these matters, I beg, let Your hand guide and
direct me, so that I may not overstep the law in any way. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twenty-sixth chapter the excellence.htm

Criticism of the Westminster System of Doctrine.
... They embody too much metaphysical divinity, and overstep the limits which divide
a public confession of faith from a scientific treatise of theology. ...
/.../ 97 criticism of the.htm

Overstep (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To step over or beyond; to transgress.
Multi-Version Concordance Overstep (1 Occurrence). Proverbs ...
/o/overstep.htm - 6k

Overstepping (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overstep. Multi-Version
Concordance Overstepping (1 Occurrence). 1 Thessalonians 4 ...
/o/overstepping.htm - 7k

Overspreading (1 Occurrence)

/o/overspreading.htm - 7k

Passage (20 Occurrences)
... exist" (Job 30:15). The word is used metaphorically, "to pass over,"
"overstep," "transgress" (Numbers 14:41). In the causative ...
/p/passage.htm - 18k

Passenger (1 Occurrence)
... exist" (Job 30:15). The word is used metaphorically, "to pass over,"
"overstep," "transgress" (Numbers 14:41). In the causative ...
/p/passenger.htm - 10k

Pass (1172 Occurrences)
... exist" (Job 30:15). The word is used metaphorically, "to pass over,"
"overstep," "transgress" (Numbers 14:41). In the causative ...
/p/pass.htm - 44k

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