Learn to Say “No”

Proverbs 1:10

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.     NIV

One of the secrets of success in life is learning to say “No,” and mean it. We will all be subjected at sometime or another to enticement from sinners, from people whose motives are wrong, whose standards are low, whom we cannot afford to follow. It’s one of the things that happens in life.

It happens so often in our early years, at school or at college – sinners entice us. They come with attractive offers of pleasures and entertainment and forms of life that are unhealthy and evil. And if we are going to succeed in life, we’ve got to learn early in life to say “No.” “No, I won’t.” “No, my standards don’t permit me.”

And I’ve discovered this, both men and the devil himself recognize when you really mean it. You can say “No” in a tone of voice that means, “If you ask me again, you might persuade me.” Or you can say “No” in a tone of voice that means, “You’re wasting your time asking me.” And if you are going to succeed in life you’ve got to learn to say “No” with that tone of voice which means, “You’re wasting your time if you ask me again.” The devil is very clever; he doesn’t waste his time. When we say “No” with that tone of voice, the devil moves on to test somebody else.