YOU HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE

Bible Texts: Prov.1:10-15, Jos.1:6-7, 1Jn.3:21, Jn.15:5, 1Cor.13:11, Is.40:28-30, Jn.14:26,

Over the past couple of days, the focus has been on the incredible power of the word of God-how the word of God can transform you and I to become good and godly men, husbands and fathers, how the word of God can empower us to be like Jesus Christ in thoughts, conduct and action. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will give and continue to give attention to the word of God and practice all that God commands you to do as you lead your wife and children. Amen.

Today, let us consider one important character of the good and godly husbandman. It is the capacity and strength to learn to say no. The ability to say no is a proof of maturity. As the good and godly husbandman, it is not all the time you say yes, especially if it is not in agreement with the Bible-the eternal word of God. A lot of the times, we are tempted to always want to say yes to everything. Personally, I suffered from this in time past. But I have learnt now how to say no by the help of the Holy Spirit, if it is not in agreement with what the Bible says.

Now, consider what the Scripture says in Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 10. It says, my son, if sinners entice you, consent thou not (Prov.1:10). Consent not means, to say no. When you say no, it does not mean that you are wrong. It only means that you do not agree with what it says because it is not in line with the Bible. It may not make any sense if you say no, nevertheless, you must stick to doing what pleases Jesus Christ, the perfect example of how the godly husbandman is to behave. Wherever the offer may be coming from, as long as it does not fit into what the Bible says, refuse it and say no.

But what are the ways these satanic offers would come? Firstly, they come as precious substance. In verse 13 of Proverbs chapter 1, it says, we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil (Pro.1:13). As the godly husbandman, you must understand that it is not all that glitters that is gold. This is why you must continue to engage the help of the Holy Spirit for direction and wisdom (Jn.14:26).

Secondly, it comes in a form of revenge. In verse 12 of Proverbs chapter 1, it says, let us swallow them up alive as the grave, and whole as those that go down into the pit (Pro.1:12). It is true that your wife and children or even someone else may have offended you. You may also have been advised either by a man, friend or even the devil to take revenge. You must say no, even if it means people would call you names not befitting of your position as the head of the family.

But for you to be able to say no, even against all odds, you need to be empowered by the power and person of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah chapter 40 and verse 28 and 29, the Scripture says, he (God) gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he (God) increaseth strength (Is.40:28-29). You need the help of God to strengthen your inner man so that your outward person can say no to what is contrary to what the Bible commands. In John chapter 15 and verse 5, Jesus speaking says, without me you can do nothing (Jn.15:5).

God wants you to be like Jesus Christ to your wife and children. God delights in you when you obey His commandments. God wants you to grow up (1Cor.13:11). You must walk with Jesus Christ through the Person of the Holy Spirit to refuse what is evil and accept what is good because that is what makes you the good and godly husbandman.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with supernatural ability to say no to deception and lies.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from a weak and fretful heart and fill me with the heart of a lion.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, continue to renew my strength for a victorious living.

FAITH CONFESSION

I am empowered by the Person of the Holy Spirit with the ability to refuse unrighteousness and love godliness because I am committed to becoming the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.

The devotional IN TUNE WITH GOD© is published by The Husbandman Mission International, Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.

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Jesus Christ is Lord over all.

Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure

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