Reasons Why People Do Not Say No by Roberts Liardon

The first reason no is not used much anymore is that people are no longer accustomed to absolutes. As a pro no, you stand alone. In the world today, if no is said, it almost always is given with an excuse. It is not the absolute that it should be.

Roberts Liardon tells us that the soul does not like yes and no. They are “commitment” words. People are afraid of that today.

No is contagious. If it is used correctly, it will be a healthy contagiousness. What the church needs today is a no epidemic. We would be a lot healthier. The world says, “Whatever you want, it’s okay. If it feels good, do it. Whatever makes you happy?” We do not need that philosophy from the pit of hell in the church.

Roberts shows us that the second reason no is not popular is that it causes reactions. People do not always receive no in a nice way, nor with the acceptance do we all crave. The primary reason people do not like to say no is because the reactions they often get are hard to cope with. Many times people will ask us, “Why?” But remember that no is an anointed word that does not need to be explained. In fact, most of the time, it should not be explained. By explaining, many times we lose the force of the declaration.

My grandmother, who helped with my upbringing, always said, “When I say no, it is no forever.”

There was no changing her mind, and that is the way it should be in the realm of the spirit.  Somehow, today, our nos mean very little. It has been so watered down. Most of the time, it turns into a social yes, or a soulish yes. Either one will get you in big trouble.

No angers dominant or controlling people or those with self-will and rebellion. Watch for their reactions. People will come up with all sorts of excuses, reasons, and explanations to counteract your no. They will cry or get mad and yell. They will try all sorts of things to move you off your stand. Emotional manipulation comes into full manifestation when you start saying no to people who do not like the sound of that word.

One reaction to no is self pity. I like helping poor people, but I refuse to help lazy people. You are not helping someone if you help them to “mooch.” The Bible says that if you do not work, you are not to eat. (See 2 Thessalonians 3:10.) And the Word says if you do not feed your family, you are worse than an infidel. (See 1 Timothy 5:8.) That is a heavy statement, but it is true. I did not make it up. The Bible states it.