“When peer pressure compels you to go with the crowd and sinners invite you to join in, you must simply say, “No!” (Prov. 1:10 TPT)
In the run-up to the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, being the standard bearer of my party for my State Constituency House of Assembly election, an elderly man – a constituent and party member visited me privately in our family house – to lure me into consulting a known mystic for electoral victory. As a matter of fact, he offered to go on my behalf when he observed my discomfort.
I vehemently turned down his offer and discountenanced the suggestion. Although, my spiritual awareness wasn’t as high as it is today – but one thing I caught from my biological father was the courage to say an emphatic NO- especially on matters antithetical to our precious faith and doctrine. And my spiritual father, Dr. David Oyedepo will always say, “ Whatever God cannot do, let it remain undone.”
Most times, people lack the courage to say no to others or to suggestions or propositions due to lack of awareness of who they are or self esteem. Some do not want to be seen as being different. Some prefer being popular to being peculiar. Worse still, some want to be all things to all people even at their expense. Not knowing that everyone that has a sense of destiny must be courageous to be different.
Be bold to say an emphatic NO – to anyone or anything that’s antithetical to what God has said concerning the faith and your most precious destiny. The wise virgins refused to be swelled by sentiments in consideration of the request of the other virgins for some of their oil. They assertively reacted thus:
“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”
(Matt.25:9 KJV)
The good news is that a believer in Christ has been empowered to say NO to anybody, any devil or anything that is contrary to the Word of God. Hear what the Scripture says, “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven.” (Matt.18:18 MSG)
Take charge of your destiny! Never accept any verdict that’s not God’s verdict for your life. When John the Baptist was born, the people called him a name that was contrary to the Word spoken over his destiny and his mother Elizabeth reacted thus – “But Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No, he has to be named John!” (Luke 1:60 TPT)
Hear this: Who and what you say YES to or NO to can make or mar your destiny. It’s easier to say yes to a whole lot of things than to say no. And the nature of man is to follow the path of least resistance. It requires a different spirit – courage, self -discipline, purpose and unbroken focus – to say no when the need arises. If you must progress in life, you must learn to say no to somethings. Somethings maybe lawful but not expedient. While some are expedient but not necessary to where you’re going.
Ever since I caught the revelation of the power of No – it has become easy for me to discern and distinguish between what’s great and not so great or bad. And more so, to courageously say no to things that are not necessary to where I’m going.
Your destiny is most precious – don’t sell off!
To your courage to stand,
✝️Tochukwu Kemakolam
Prime Minister