The Power of “No”

Years ago when my younger sister was new in her job, she was enthusiastic and quite an efficient employee. In fact she was so efficient that when someone needed to have something done, they always came to her because they knew that she would always say “yes” and she would perform the task promptly and without a complaint. After some time she began to realize what was happening. She was the one who was always asked to do something and it began to bother her because she was simply taking on more than she could handle at times, but she always felt that she must say “yes” to make others happy. One day when it got to be too much for her she finally learned to say, “no”. That day she wrote a small poem about the word, “no”. Here is a part of it.

“Learn to say NO!
Learn to say NO.
It’s only two letters
It only takes a second to say.
Saying it is fun.
Enjoy the power and authority in refusing.
JUST SAY NO!”

“No,” is one of the most misused words today. People are sometimes afraid to use it; other times they use it when they shouldn’t. Peer pressure often makes young people too afraid to use it for fear that their friends will laugh at them or belittle them. They end up doing things they regret later. Occasionally it does happen that bad habits develop, due to the fact that they just did not say “no” when they should have. It not only is a problem with young people, but with adults also. They get involved in many schemes and habits that they wish they hadn’t, but they could not say “no,” a very small word.

There are other times when people do say “no” when they shouldn’t. Those of us who have tried canvassing work know how many people are saying “no” to Jesus. When we are canvassing, we are not alone – Jesus is with us and when the people reject the message, they are really rejecting Jesus.

“No” is one of the smallest words, but one with very great power. Eternal life or eternal death can result from the use or misuse of this word. Be very careful when using it, but make sure you do use it when absolutely necessary. Don’t be afraid to use it.

If there is animosity between two countries or even two cultural groups within one county, if one tries to make peace, in some cases the other group says, “no” and the fighting continues.

There are positive times when we must use the word no. We MUST learn to say “no” to sin. Jesus said we can overcome. If we say “no” to sin and Satan, all the power in heaven will be available for us to use in order to help us fulfil our desires to say “no” to sin.

Adam did not say “no” when faced with the temptation from his wife. He committed his sin, knowing what he was doing. “And Adam was not deceived.” 1 Tim. 2:14. He just loved his wife more than he loved God. He should have said “no” to her, rather he said “yes” to her and “no” to Jesus.

RECHABITES

In Jeremiah chapter 35, we read the story of the family of the Rechabites. They lived in a time when the nation of Judah was in apostasy and Jeremiah was sent as a prophet to encourage them to repent and also to declare, from the Lord, that the end of their nation was near.

In this chapter we see Jeremiah taking “the whole house of the Rechabites” into a chamber in the temple of the Lord and offering them wine to drink. What was their reply? It was a firm “no”.

At this time the nation was in apostasy. The king more than likely drank wine as well as the princes and other leading men. I am sure many of the corrupt priests did also, and here was a prophet of God offering them wine to drink in the temple. However, they refused to accept this offer to commit sin. Why? Jonadab, one of their forefathers told them not to drink wine or strong drink. To Jeremiah “they said, we will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:” Verse 6.

Who was Jonadab? We see his name mentioned 240 years prior to the time that this event occurred in Jeremiah. He lived in the time of Jehu, King of Samaria. His influence was so great that Jehu was glad to have him on his side, and Jonadab was equally glad to be with Jehu because of his “zeal for the Lord,” as seen in the following Bible verse.

“And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.” 2 Kings 10:15, 16.

This family respected their forefather, who was a man of God, so much that they followed his instruction and adopted a strict manner of living as he had outlined. They refused to be enticed into sin by anyone – even if it was a prophet of God.

How is it with us? If a leader in our church took us into a secret place in the church and offered us some wine, would we accept? No one would ever know. Often young people can’t wait until they are old enough to so that they can leave home and live their lives as they choose. They desire to throw off the restraint and rules of their fathers. Here we see a family who is obeying their father who lived 240 years prior.

It may not be the drinking of wine, but perhaps some other area such as the strictness of Sabbath keeping or tithe paying. I remember a leader in a local church once tell me that you do not need to pay tithes if you are living on income assistance because you did not earn the money through your own labour. When I heard this, I told myself, “no” I cannot accept this teaching because I know what the Bible says about tithe paying. He is no longer in a leadership position, however I mention this just to illustrate the fact that we must all be Bible students ourselves so that we will not be led astray and when it is the correct time to say, “no”.

We have to know right from wrong ourselves.
We must know the truth so that we will be able to say “no” to error. Paul instructed his followers very well in the truth, and he told them that, “though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation
of Jesus Christ.” Gal. 1:8-12.This is how positive Paul was about the truth he taught the people. He knew it was 100% truth and when faced with error, he could say “no”.

Are we just as sure about this being God’s church today? Can we have the confidence of Paul? Have we searched for ourselves as did the noble Bereans? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. I am sure that Paul preached his sermons from the Bible, however the Bereans went home and took their own Bibles and searched for themselves. Just because someone preaches from the Bible does not guarantee they are preaching truth.

The Rechabites, no doubt knew what they believed. The majority of the Israelite nation did not know. Whatever the king did as far as religion was concerned, it appeared that the majority of the people followed in his footsteps. In the days of Elijah, there were only 7,000 who knew the way of the Lord. To Elijah this was a large number, but what are 7,000 in comparison to a population of millions as I am sure the nation of Israel was at that time. The majority were playing “follow the leader.”

SAYING “NO” TO IMMORALITY

In the Bible we have many examples of people who said “no” to sin. There was Joseph who said “no” to Potiphar’s wife. And he ended up in prison, but he had a clear conscience in the sight of God.

He desired to remain morally pure. This is a big problem in society today. There is so much immorality and one of the reasons is because some people are afraid to say, “no”. Women sometimes feel they can’t say “no” to the advances of a male or she would lose him as a friend and companion, so she gives herself over to sin, violating her own conscience.
In contrast to Joseph we can read of Samson whose downfall came due to his inability to say “no” to Delilah. He did not remain morally pure and this led to his captivity and eventually to his death. It all began with a small compromise, but it snowballed into rebellion against God’s rules and laws.

Solomon also met his downfall by his inability to say “no” to his heathen wives. Women and men can have a strong influence on each other and we must make sure we remain firm to our principles before God – making His Word our rule of life, not fearing what man can do to us – rather fearing only God. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.

This problem of saying “no” at the wrong time or not saying it when you should, goes as far back as Adam and Eve. Adam loved Eve more than he loved God. He should have said “no” to Eve, rather he said “yes” to Eve and “no” to God.

IN DANIEL’S TIME:

The first mention of Daniel in the Bible is at the beginning of the book which he wrote. The first act recorded in his life is the fact that he said “no” to the food offered to him and his friends on King Nebuchadnezzar’s table. I am sure that Daniel and his three friends were not the only ones taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. What about the others? It is assumed that they were not so bold and they did eat. What was the result? In the end of their training Daniel and his friends were found to be ten times wiser. And again, I am sure there were other Israelites who were also studying in Babylon, but because they did not have the moral courage to say “no” to the food; they were not ten times wiser.
Often we don’t think of how serious it was to refuse the king’s food.

“Here Daniel was brought to a severe test. Should he adhere to the teachings of his fathers concerning meats and drinks, and offend the king, and probably lose not only his position but also his life? Or should he disregard the commandment of the Lord, and retain the favour of the king, thus securing great intellectual advantages and the most flattering worldly prospects?

“Daniel did not long hesitate. He decided to stand firm in his integrity, let the result be what it might. He ?purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank’ (Dan. 1:8)

“There are many among professed Christians today who would decide that Daniel was too particular, and would pronounce him narrow and bigoted. They consider the matter of eating and drinking as of too little consequence to require such a decided stand – one involving the probable sacrifice of every earthly advantage. But those who reason thus will find in the day of judgment that they turned from God’s express requirements and set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They will find that what seemed to them unimportant was not so regarded of God. His requirements should be sacredly obeyed. Those who accept and obey one of His precepts because it is convenient to do so, while they reject another because its observance would require a sacrifice, lower the standard of right and by their example lead others to lightly regard the holy law of God. ?Thus saith the Lord’ is to be our rule in all things.” Sanctified Life, pp 19, 20

And Daniel was rewarded for his faithfulness. One of the hardest times for people to say “no” is when people around them are eating foods that are stimulating; foods that are enticing their taste buds, while harmful to the body. Often the taste buds win out and the body suffers ill health. But a firm “no” in such circumstances will bring lifelong blessings of health and happiness.

Years later we see Daniel’s friends in front of that large golden statue – refusing to bow down. Again, there were more than likely other Jews in the plain of Dura, who did bow down, but these three friends, decided to make a firm stand for the truth and say “no” to sin. “In vain were the king’s threats. He could not turn these noble men from their allegiance to the great Ruler of nations. They had learned from the history of their fathers that disobedience to God is dishonour, disaster, and ruin; that the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also the foundation of all true prosperity. They look with calmness upon the fiery furnace and the idolatrous throng. They have trusted in God, and He will not fail them now. Their answer is respectful, but decided: ?Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.’ (Dan. 3:18).” SL 37

They ended up in the fiery furnace but were miraculously delivered “These three Hebrews possessed genuine sanctification. True Christian principle will not stop to weigh consequences. It does not ask, What will people think of me if I did this? Or, How will it affect my worldly prosects if I do that? With the most intense longing the children of God desire to know what He would have them do, that their works may glorify Him. The Lord has made ample provision that the hearts and lives of all His followers may be controlled by divine grace, that they may be as a burning
and shining lights in the world… What a lesson is here given to the fainthearted, the vacillating, the cowardly in the cause of God! What encouragement to those who will not be turned aside from duty by threats of peril!” SL 39,40
Later on in the life of Daniel we see him disobeying the king’s command and this time it landed him in the lion’s den. However, God again overruled and sent His angels to close the mouths of the lions.

“The decree goes forth from the king. Daniel is acquainted with the purpose of his enemies to ruin him. But he does not change his course in a single particular. With calmness he performs his accustomed duties, and at the hour of prayer he goes to his chamber, and with his windows open towards Jerusalem, he offers his petitions to the God of heaven. By his course of action he fearlessly declares that no earthly power has the right to come between him and his God and tell him to whom he should or should not pray. Noble man of principle! He stands before the world today as a praiseworthy
example of Christian boldness and fidelity. He turns to God with all his heart, although he knows that death is the penalty for his devotion.” SL 43, 44.

WHEN NOT TO SAY “NO”

Of course the obvious time not to say “no” is when being reproved of sin, or having new light brought to you.
In the time of Noah, the vast majority of the people said “no” to entering in the ark. Today many are also saying “no” to the Three Angel’s Messages and the keeping of the Ten Commandments. What a price they will have to pay in the judgment. It seems easier for them to say “no” to righteousness, and harder to say “no” to sin.

Just try going canvassing as I mentioned earlier, and you will experience how many say “no” to Jesus today. By the time one person says “yes” you may have had 25 who have said “no”.

The rich young ruler said “no” to Jesus. He should have said “yes,” but he counted the cost and for him it was too high.
“Christ’s words were verily to the ruler the invitation, ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve.’ Joshua 24:15…. His words were words of wisdom, though they appeared severe and exacting. In accepting and obeying them was the ruler’s only hope of salvation…. The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ’s words involved, and he became sad…. His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He showed that riches were his idol. He could not keep the commandments of God while the world was first in his affections… Thousands are passing through this ordeal, weighing Christ against the world; and many choose the world. Like the young ruler, they turn from the Saviour, saying in their hearts, I will not have this Man as my leader.” DA 520

“All should consider what it means to desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say ?No’ to Christ. The ruler said, No, I cannot give You all. Do we say the same? The Saviour offers to share with us the work God has given us to do. He offers to use the means God has given us, to carry forward His work in the world. Only in this way can He save us.” DA 523

Anytime we sin, we are choosing our own way and saying “no” to Jesus. We must learn turn back and rather say “no” to Satan.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16. We are serving one or the other. We cannot serve both, nor can we remain on neutral ground. We are saying, “no” to one and “yes” to the other.

“When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable
to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defence against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” DA 324

Who are you saying “no” to? Jesus or Satan. Both are fighting for your soul and you can’t say, “yes” to both of them. You are saying, “yes” to one of them and “no” to the other.

HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?

In our new, International Hymnal, English Edition, there is a song entitled, “Have you Counted the Cost?” (#385) The song reads as follows:

“There’s a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord, Where the call of His Spirit is lost. And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng. Have you counted the cost?

“You may barter your hope of eternity’s morn, For a moment of joy at the most, For the glitter of sin and the things it will win, Have you counted the cost?

“While the door of His mercy is open to you, Ere the depth of His love you exhaust, Won’t you come and be healed, won’t you whisper, ‘I yield, I have a counted the cost.’

“Have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost, Though you gain the whole world for your own? Even not it may be that the line you have crossed… Have you counted, have you counted the cost?”

Is there a cost in following Jesus? Yes there is. If a ship is ready to sink and the people on board decide to hang on to their worldly possessions, they will go down with the ship. They must give up their worldly possessions and hang onto the lifeboat. We must give up everything in this world that is coming in between Jesus and ourselves. Whatever it is, Jesus will surely point it out to us if we ask Him to. The cost is to turn our back on the world. It is up to us whether we will say “yes” to Jesus and “no” to the world. Whatever choice we make will determine the final destination that we will reach when Jesus comes again.

Is there a cost for rejecting Jesus? Yes there is also a cost. You may gain the whole world, but you will lose your peace, your happiness, and your eternal life. There is a cost no matter which way you choose to go. Which price are you willing to pay? Both Jesus and Satan are coming to you, producing their merchandise for sale – you must pay one or the other. You must say “yes” to one and “no” to the other.

“God works mightily for a faithful people who obey His word without questioning or doubt.” 4T 164. Say “no” to the world and Jesus will be an ever-present help through all the trials of your life.

Remember, “no” is just a very small word – it only takes a second to say, but the saying of this word can have eternal consequences. It can either lead to eternal life or eternal death. It is a very powerful word. Use it wisely.

It is my wish and prayer that each one of us will have the courage to say “no” when the Sunday Law is enforced, trusting Jesus for food, water and protection. That time is not far distant in the future and if we have stood faithful in our day to day lives, saying “no” to the smaller tests and trials that come our way, only then will we have the courage to say “no” during the large trials. May God help us.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia