THURSDAY 21.12.2017
KEY NUMBER 2 :
LEARN TO SAY NO
Unlike Adam and Eve, the reason why Daniel and his friends had a glorious impact in Babylon was because they were bold enough and able to say no.
- when it was about to choose between eating the king's meal and not eating, they chose not to eat the king's meal so that they would not defile themselves.
- when it was about to choose between bowing before the statue erected by the king and not bowing, they chose not to bow because they were fearing God
- When it was about to choose between stopping praying and continuing to pray, Daniel opted to keep praying despite the law forbidding him.
The reason why many fail in life is not necessarily because they are not competent or skilled. It is because they don't have the ability to say no.
That's why I say . . .
IN 2018, LEARN TO SAY NO . . . NO TO WHO ? NO TO WHAT ? HOW TO SAY NO ?
When I say "learning to say no", I'm not talking about being stubborn. Neither am I talking about being heady. To help us know to say no, here are some helpful biblical questions we need to ask ourselves.
1st Principle: Does it come from God or from the enemy? IF IT COMES FROM THE ENEMY, SAY NO TO IT !
Matthew 16:23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get out of my way, Satan! You are tempting me to sin. You aren’t thinking the way God thinks but the way humans think."
Luke 20:23 But He perceived their craftiness and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me?
2nd Principle: Is it in line with the Word of God? IF IT IS CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD, SAY NO TO IT !
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.’"
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again, Scripture says, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’"
Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him’"
3rd Principle: Does it please God or does it please people? IF IT DOESN'T PLEASE GOD, SAY NO TO IT !
Galatians 1:10 Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.
4th Principle: Is it in line with the will of God for me? IF IT IS CONTRARY TO THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU, SAY NO TO IT !
Matthew 26:39 After walking a little farther, he quickly bowed with his face to the ground and prayed, "Father, if it’s possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine"
5th Principle: Will God be glorified? IF GOD WON'T BE GLORIFIED, SAY NO TO IT !
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.
6th Principle: How about my reputation? IF IT WILL AFFECT NEGATIVELY YOUR REPUTATION, SAY NO TO IT !
Titus 1:6 A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. His children shouldn’t be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious.
7th Principle: Do I do that out of men’s fear or God’s fear? IF IT WILL PLEASE MEN AND NOT GOD, SAY NO TO IT !
Luke 13:31 At that time some Pharisees told Jesus, "Get out of here, and go somewhere else! Herod wants to kill you." Luke 13:32 Jesus said to them, "Tell that fox that I will force demons out of people and heal people today and tomorrow. I will finish my work on the third day. Luke 13:33 But I must be on my way today, tomorrow, and the next day. It’s not possible for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
HOW TO SAY NO ?
1) Say “no” without being arrogant
“Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong” (2 Corinthians 13:7).
2) Say “no” with love
“Instead, speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:32).
3) Say “no” gently
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
4) Say “no” respectfully
“Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17).
5) Say “no” firmly and radically. If a simple no is not enough, flee !
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).
"But Joseph refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; [...] 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that Joseph hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, [or] to be with her. [...] 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.(Genesis 39:8/10/12)
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SO SHALL IT BE!
JESUS IS LORD!
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