"..... let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37 AMP).
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control] (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP).
Yes We can say No
No is a complete sentence. We are allowed to say no. We can say no to anything or anyone which may cause us grief, hardship, stress, anxiety, and the like. If people, places, or things cause one to become entangled with or addicted to them, we must learn to start saying no. God's Holy Word says, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8 KJV).
Our Minds must become Sound
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control] (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP). The characteristics of a sound mind are noted by one exhibiting self-discipline, calmness, love, and sound judgement. As children of God we learn that we are in a battle for our lives [souls]. God's Word tells us to guard our hearts and minds (Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). The power of God [through His Holy Spirit] provides the ability, strength, and power to do such. It is God Who provides not only the power to say no to all things contrary to His Word, but He also provides peace of mind, and love, while we are saying it. Our minds can only become sound in God's Truth [Holy Word]. We are all dealing with spiritual warfare.
We are all Dealing with Spiritual Warfare
No man can fight in the spiritual realm by carnal means with a carnal mind. To be carnal minded is to be operating from a mind of bodily pleasures and appetites. "Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God (Romans 8:6-8). The Word of God says, "The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 AMP). Only God's Word can change a mind and heart for the better.
God's Word is Truth
God's Word [Holy scriptures] tells us, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and return not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11 KJV). So, "... walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts] (Galatians 5:16 AMP).
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