They are often words we say, or imply, without giving them any thought, but their meanings and, just as importantly, their implications, can have a huge impact on both ourselves and other people.

Let's have a look at the word 'no', or its implied use, this month. You don't have to say the actual word to make it clear what you mean when giving an answer!

'No' is often one of the earliest words children will master when learning to speak. With it they explore assertiveness and gain a degree of independence. And yet, as we get older and gain more self-awareness, it can often be one of the most difficult words to say.

How's this for an example? Being asked by a good friend to help in a risky project you totally disagree with perhaps. Think on this! What do you say?

Although by definition a negative word, an example such as this shows that it can be used with a very positive effect and It got me to wondering how Jesus used it.

During the three year period of his ministry, Jesus was known as a man who most definitely knew his own mind. He was assertive, he was clear in his views and he was not afraid to say no! It isn't difficult to find examples of his use of the word, or it's implied use, when reading through the New Testament.

Here are two examples:

John 11, 1: 3-7
Here Jesus answers "no" when asked to heal Lazarus, a brother of Mary, who he knew well.

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

Matthew 12: 46-50
Here Jesus implies "no" when asked to stop what he was doing to see his Mother and brothers who are waiting outside to speak to him.

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Why not see if you can find other examples?

I thank you for reading this and I hope you enjoyed the experience! If you have any comments you would like to make then please flip over to our Contact page.

Next month will be the final one in this series and, appropriately, I shall be looking at the word 'end'.

All Biblical text examples used in this series of articles are from the New International Version of the Bible.

Ken.

PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.