The Faith to Say No

We all understand that God’s economy runs on the currency of faith. Faith brings us into right relationship with God (Ephesians 2:8-9), sustains us as we wait for God’s promises that have yet to be seen or experienced (Hebrews 11:3), and allows us to be part of the supernatural things that only God can do (Matthew 17:20). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When we consider what it means to walk in faith, many times we think about what God is calling us to say yes to. “Here I am Lord, send me!” This is the common cry of faith. We say things like, “Lord I’ll go where you want me to go, I’ll give what you want me to give, I’ll say YES!” We should think in these terms, for God frequently calls us to do things that are beyond us. For these things we need the faith to say yes.

Saying yes requires faith… but did you know that sometimes it requires just as much faith to say no? Sometimes the faith to say yes to God requires faith to say no to something else; something attractive, something new, or something exciting. Do you have the faith to say no in order to faithfully do the things that God is really asking of you? It’s a good question to consider:

• To say no to a new and exciting opportunity because God has called you to be faithful in the mundane?
• To say no to that person you want to impress because God has asked you to serve the person you’re not that excited about?
• To say no to that new time commitment because God wants you to invest more time where you’re already at?
• To say no to people’s demands because God is asking you focus on what He alone has asked of you?
• To say no to comfort when God is asking for sacrifice?
• To say no to work when God is asking you to rest?

Me must discern when to say yes by faith and when to say no by that same faith. In this way our lives will be balanced and fruitful for the glory of God.

Mark 1:37-38 – When they found Jesus, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”