SAYING NO

The wisdom of the fathers

SAYING NO

“Denying ungodliness” (Titus 2. 12).

Let us say, “No,” to the flesh, the world and the love of self, and learn that holy self-denial in which consists so much of the life of obedience. Make no provision for the flesh; give no recognition to your lower life. Say “No” to everything earthly and selfish. How very much of the life of faith consists in simply denying ourselves.

We begin with one great “Yes,” to God, and then we conclude with an eternal “No,” to ourselves, the world, the flesh and the devil.

If you look at the ten commandments of the Decalogue, you will find that nearly every one of them is a “Thou shalt not.” If you read the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, with its beautiful picture of love, you will find that most of the characteristics of love are in the negative, what love “does not, thinks not, says not, is not.” And so you will find that the largest part of the life of consecration is really saying, “No.”

I am not my own,

I belong to Him.

I am His alone,

I belong to Him.

(from "Days of Heaven upon Earth" by A.B. Simpson)