Let’s look at our example (JESUS) Here are eight times Jesus said no..
1. He said no to the devil (Luke 4)
2. He said no to religious people and their doctrines & traditions (Luke 5 & 6)
3. He said no to family (Luke 8:19-21)
4. He said no to a man who wanted Jesus to act as a judge between an inheritance dispute
with his brother (Luke 12:14)
5. He said no to miracles because of the lack of faith of people in their hometown (Mark 6:5)
6. He said no to his disciples when they asked him to send the people away so they could buy
themselves food. He said no, you give them something to eat (Mark 6:36 & 37)
7. Said no to the Syrian Phoenician woman because she didn’t have a covenant (Mark 7:26)
8. He said no to ministry (Matt. 8:18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.)
Notice he didn’t say no to all these situations all the time but what these verse give me is permission to say no to even good things as well as bad things. It also let’s me know that sometimes no is the best answer.
It has taken me a long time to learn how to set boundaries but I’m getting better at it….and without guilt! God showed me that as I train and mentor other leaders, I better be practicing ALL the principles I share with them. My mistakes have helped me instill some truths into parents and newlyweds, also. Good word, Bro!
A professor once told me, “don’t be afraid to say no with a smile.” I used that advice in my career and ministry. Part of my ministry to to equip and lead others in their ministry roles so we can all work as a team.