It’s OK to say NO

So the last post was about being generous, which we are called to do. However, there are times when we need to say no.

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

That part of Scripture that says "anything more than this comes from evil" is in regards to oath keeping, but that’s another message for another time.

Right now, we’re just going to touch on “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;" in particular, the "No" part.

Here's the deal y'all, NOT everything that "SEEMS" like a GOOD idea is a GOD idea.

We need to be prayerful when people ask us to do things or ask something from us.

We must remember that we have a real enemy out there, the devil, who is trying to steal from us, so if he can deceive us & get us to do something not of the Lord or hand to him whatever he’s asking for through other people, then we’re making his plan to steal from us, destroy us & eventually kill us much easier for him! (John 10:10).

The Lord is the only one we say yes to ALWAYS.

So what more does the Bible say about saying no?

““Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In other words, don’t give time, talent or treasure to people that the devil is trying to use against you. It's a disguised attack!

I know we Christians are quick to point to verses about love, sacrifice, & being selfless, but there’s also a heap of verses that teach Christians to practice discernment & say no.

Proverbs 26:4 says:

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don't consider it wise to feel the need to engage anyone who talks to or approaches us. While it’s good to be aware that God does bring people into our paths, that doesn’t mean that EVERY person in our path is from God! We also have a real enemy that puts people in our paths to cause us to stumble. If we engage & pursue the relationship, we may fall into the enemy's trap & become a fool ourselves.

There are many more Scriptures on this topic & I encourage you to look for them & study them.

So in closing, please be prayerful & discerning when someone is put into your path & asks you to do something or asks something from you.

It's OK to say a Biblical discerned Holy Spirit NO. It's also ok (& encouraged) to say no KINDLY.

Please share this message & subscribe to my blog from the home page. Also, please check out the crosses I make & our own name brand coffee. Thank you & God bless!