Day 18 - Saying No Without Guilt as a Believer

Matthew 5:37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Sometimes as believers we have a hard time saying no to someone, especially when we validate their request as a real need. However, if we ask ourselves a few simple questions before we say yes, then we can determine whether or not it is justified for us to say no and in that hopefully we can keep the guilt at bay. The enemy will use guilt against you… Don’t let him do it. 

Will saying yes take valuable time away from your family or your God given priorities? Will saying yes weigh on your mental health? Will saying yes stretch you physically further than you can bear at the moment?

I remember a time when I was pastoring and I got a phone call in the middle of the night. A church member needed a ride to the hospital. I had taken Nyquil, I had a bad cold, I was groggy and it was storming outside. My then husband pleaded with me not to go. He said if it was a true emergency then they could call the rescue squad… but I felt obligated to go so I went. I almost got into an accident. I had a horrible day the next day because I was so exhausted and still sick. Unfortunately I learned the hard way, no is a perfectly acceptable answer. 

Remember, it is acceptable to say "no" to protect your time, energy, and mental health, allowing you to focus on God-given priorities rather than people-pleasing. Jesus himself said "no" to interruptions or demands to focus on His primary mission.

No is always the right answer when it comes to sin. Although difficult at times… we all know this… God will give us the strength we need to say no when we need to say it.

God tells us no. He tells us no as an answer to a selfish prayer, when He has something better planned for us (we just can’t see at the moment) and when our prayer may hinder our spiritual growth.

No is a perfectly acceptable answer. And you don’t have to give a long explanation… remember let your no be no.

I encourage you today… practice saying no.

Pray with me:

Dear Lord, help me to discern when I am supposed to say no and when I am supposed to say yes. Equip me with the strength I need to be assertive and do not allow me to be taken advantage of. Please keep me from feeling guilty when I say no and remind me that it is because I am taking care of myself and keeping you a priority. In Jesus Name, Amen.