Hello friends! How many of you have watched the movie ‘Yes Man?’ The one with Jim Carrey in it? And how many of you think that you might just be a ‘Yes Girl?’ I definitely struggled with it! I mean, it was often taught that to be Christian = to love those around us. But Michelle! We don’t need you to school us on the second most famous commandment of the Bible! However, how many of you feel like saying no is like one of the unkindest things you can possibly do in the world?

The two main reasons why Christians struggle to say no when they need to usually falls within one of these two reasons…

a) We still live our lives trying to please those around us.

b) We think saying no isn’t the loving thing to do.

I know for a fact that the desire of pleasing those around me and making them happy is something that lives within me. As a child that meant doing whatever I was told to do. And as a university student, this tendency towards people-pleasing evolved into something a lot more subtle. It hid behind the facade of being this caring superhuman, but in reality, it hid a helpless girl who refused to see the need that she needed caring for too.

I believe that this desire to make the people around us happy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is after all, a trait made in God’s image! But like all other traits gifted to us by God, it is just important to remember that these traits shouldn’t ever have a higher place of importance than our desire to live a life that is a reflection of His will for us! So while trying to make those around you happy is not wrong, people-pleasing is that extra step too far when you live for the people and NOT for the One who made you.

People-pleasing generally has a sense of fear attached to it. This fear is different for each person. But regardless of whether it is because you fear that you will be unloveable or if you fear that others will see you as a failure if you don’t conform to the world, it can’t be further from His truth. God is not a God of condemnation, but a God of love. So let’s find out more of His amazing truths!

Who Our Amazing God Really Is

Our God is Father that loves us and cares for us even when we all inevitably let Him down. But because His love is so beyond our own comprehension, we can’t even begin to imagine how total and complete the love that He has for us is. Isn’t this so different from living up to the world’s expectations? We will inevitably fail the world too no matter how hard we try to please them, but at the end of the day, if we fail the world, they won’t provide us with that unconditional love and support that our Father will.

So what are some things to remember when pressure to listen to the world arises? And as a Christian are we allowed to say no? Read on to find out more about what God tells us!

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As a Christian, are We Allowed to Say No?

1. God > Everyone Else

We see people on a daily basis. They come in and out of our lives so frequently that it is almost impossible to forget that they exist. Their presence in our lives feels so true and so prevalent. On the other hand, there is God.

In the world’s definition of see, feel and hear, we can’t see, feel or hear Him unless He chooses to reveal Himself. So, to remember God, we have to actively choose to have faith each day in the One whom we can not see, feel or hear!

But our Father takes us all under His wing. He loves us with a sincere and loving heart and He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. This is because otherwise, He would never have pre-emptively came up with a plan to save us. He gave up His only son Jesus Christ for us just so that the price of our sins could be paid.

A Father who has given up what He loved most for people who have continuously shunned Him, hurt Him and go against Him is a Father that is worthy of our complete dedication!

2. Sure, God Works Through People, But So Does the Enemy

Just like how God can use those around you to bring you closer to Him, the enemy is very much working in those around you. The enemy is sneaky and cunning and knows your weakest points, and he will use them to work against you.

Every human is just human. We are all just flesh and blood, easily penetrable and easily influenced. Aw yep! We’re just a bunch of marshmallow softies! So, when we take our direction from those around us without first seeking the Lord for clarity, we will be prone to falling for one of his lies.

Even those who claim to love you or those who seems the most ‘holy’ is subject to the devil’s influence. It is not because of anything else, but because the human flesh is weak. So, turning to our Father for truth is above all else, the most important thing in the entire world.

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3. The Truth is Always Consistent with the Bible

So many things in the world can sound so persuasive. But persuasive lies can sound identical to the truth. Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11…

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

In verse 6, we can clearly see that the devil is a master manipulator. He takes God’s truth and weaponizes it to cause you to stumble. So like Jesus in verse 7, it is only through knowing our Father, looking to His word, having an ongoing relationship with Him through prayer that we will be able to see past the lies that the devil so cleverly disguises as the truth.

Click the image below to grab your FREE 20+ page devotional on How to Find Your Identity in Christ! And join the Truthfully, Michelle community for Biblical encouragement and personal deep chats straight into your inbox!

Hey! Here Are Other Resources…

—> CLICK THE LINK TO READ … When is it Okay to Let Go of a Friendship?

—> CLICK THE LINK TO READ … Are you Being a Godly Friend?

—> CLICK THE LINK TO READ … 5 Creative Daily Quiet Time Ideas for the Busy Girl

or browse the blog HERE!

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Before You Go…

I know firsthand how painful it can be to live life in the world. With the pressures of the world, it can feel so overwhelming. But, when you fall into the security of Jesus Christ, our Father will always look out for you.

He sees you, knows you and loves you fully and completely. Those moments in your life that you are ashamed of? He understands and He feels for you! All He wants to do is for you to let Him love you. Tell me, how amazing is our God?!

So drop a comment below and tell me, how do you say no? Do you struggle to say no? Let’s start a discussion! Or better yet, bring this discussion to the Girls After Truth Tribe!

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