Yes or No?

Matt.5:³⁶ (JB) “All you need to say is `Yes’ if you mean yes, or `No’ if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”

Meekness is not weakness! God has not designed you to be a wimp or a doormat. He wants you to have conviction! How do you handle situations at work or in your business that put a question mark on your integrity or your stand in God? What do you do when your customer says for the relationship to continue, you have to adjust your books? What do you do when the political party you have joined, say that for you to attain the next level you have to swear to a shrine? What do you do when your organization says to become a partner you have to join a cult? After all, they say that the “swearing-in” is with a Bible and the person performing the ceremony is a pastor, right? Do not be fooled!

God is clear about how we should handle such situations in His Word. Matt.5:³⁶ (JB) “All you need to say is `Yes’ if you mean yes, or `No’ if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Just say No! You can say no without feeling guilty. Some of us do not even know how to say no so you need to practice saying it. Just say no; you do not have to make excuses for it. Will people feel bad that you have declined their request? That is not your focus. Just say no!

How does God want you to relate with intimidating people? 2 Tim. 1:⁷ (GN) “For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control“ [with emphasis]. God wants us to relate with demeaning, dishonest and disrespectful people with conviction, compassion and self-control. 2 Tim. 1:⁷ (Philips) “God has not given us a spirit of cowardice” (LB). If you discover that you have been cowardly, that is not the Spirit of God –cast it out. 2 Tim. 1:⁷ “God does not want you to be afraid of people…” There should be no human being on earth that you are afraid of – none! My grandmother would say, “How can you be afraid of ordinary flesh?” How can you be afraid of man that has no control over their sleeping and waking up? Do not be afraid. Focus your energy not on fear, timidity, or cowardice but on conviction, compassion and self-control.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to say only ‘Yes” when I mean yes, or ‘No’ when I mean no and nothing more, in Jesus Name. Amen!