No!
What is the hardest word in the English language to say? The longest word – might we call it “normal”? – in the English language is a disease that miners get in their lungs: PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS. The longest word in the field of chemistry is the chemical name – actually made up – for the otherwise-known tobacco mosaic virus. It has 1,185 letters in it.
Really, the hardest word in the English language to say is “No.” We have gotten ourselves into so much trouble because we can’t seem to say “No” at the most appropriate times.
We can’t seem to say “No” to sin. Beyond sin, we can’t seem to say “No” to instant gratification, what a writer has called the “pornification” of America. We have to have it now. Microwaves. Cell phones. Instant internet access. Now. Now. Now. I want it now. Fast food restaurants have burgeoned in the age of the pornification of America.
Americans cannot stand delayed gratification. The credit card and loan industry are built on the pornification of America. We can’t wait. We’ve got to have it now.
But giving in to instant gratification is dangerous and it can cause spiritual problems. Let’s contrast how two men handled the problem of saying no. Let’s begin with mighty Samson.
SAMSON GAVE IN TO INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Judges 14 is the first view we have of Samson once he becomes a man. Samson cannot stop giving in to the immediate – the here and now. He can’t wait. He can’t wait on God to provide a truly godly spouse.
That paves the way for Samson to find another woman, this one a prostitute in Gaza, another city of the Philistines. That nearly gets Samson killed. Then, – third time’s a charm? – Samson goes to the valley of Sorek and finds a woman named Delilah. He is still looking for instant gratification. He has not yet learned to say “No” to his desires, his passions.
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JOSEPH SAID “NO” TO INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Consider Joseph in Genesis 39. First, we observe that Joseph was a handsome young man and well-built – verse 6. That shows us that he was physically attractive and that could be a potential weakness for him. Verse 7 tells us that Potiphar’s wife “looked with desire” at Joseph.
Through that potential area of weakness, Potiphar’s wife wants him to give in to sexual fulfillment. Joseph, however, is stronger morally than Samson will be. Joseph knows how to say “No”. He knows how to delay gratification. He knows to put God’s will first in his life and God will take care of the question marks.
Joseph will not give in to pornification – instant gratification. He is a servant of God inside and out. So, he says “No” to Potiphar’s wife and runs out the door. The immediate result is a false accusation and imprisonment. Eventually, because Joseph delayed gratification and remained faithful to God, he was blessed mightily in the end.
CONCLUSION:
Do not be rash in making decisions. First, is the enticement good or sinful? If it is sinful, obviously, then say No firmly, forcefully, and consistently.
If the decision is not inherently evil, then ask yourself, what will it cost me? And can I afford to give/do it now?
If the decision is not inherently evil and I can’t give/do it now – can it wait until I can give/do it later?
I don’t need to feel bad about it. I need to recognize my own limitations – either financial or otherwise and not feel bad about it.
–Paul Holland
