Latest / Prayer Before Work / Simple Phrase That Lets You Say No Without Guilt - Prayer Before Work
Transcript
- Sean Graver: Your co-worker says, Come on, we're heading over to the gentleman's club. It's just for one drink. And now you've got about 10 seconds to figure out what you actually believe. Hey, I'm Sean, and this is Prayer Before Work. So the Apostle Paul writes something reassuring and honest to the church in Corinth, and he says, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful. And he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. And that's first Corinthians chapter ten, verse thirteen. And this one's awkward because it's social, it's sudden, and it usually comes from people you actually like and want to keep good relationships with. And nobody wants to be the coworker who makes things weird by turning it into a holier than thou moment. And the pressure isn't just come have fun. It's the harder to define pressure of not wanting to seem uptight or judgmental or or like you think you're better than everyone else. But here's what that verse actually promises, though. Not that you won't be tempted, but there's There's always a way out that doesn't require you to compromise or make a scene. And sometimes the way out is simple and boring. no, thanks. I'm gonna pass. I mean, you don't owe anyone a theological explanation. A short, friendly no is a complete sentence. Sometimes it's going to the first stop, the bar, the dinner, whatever, and having a genuinely good time there. And then peeling off before it heads somewhere you're not willing to go. You get to draw that line wherever your conscience says it needs to be drawn. But you don't need everyone's else, you don't need everyone else's permission to draw it. So what matters most is deciding this ahead of time. Not in the moment when the invite lands and everyone's looking at you. Know your answer before you need it. And know that saying no to that doesn't have to mean that you're saying no to the relationships. Most people respect a clear, kind boundary more than you think. So let's pray. God, thank you that you always make a way out, even when the pressure feels like there there isn't one. Well, give us clarity about where our lines are before we're standing at them. Help us to say no with kindness. instead of judgment, and help us to stay close to our co workers without following them somewhere we know we shouldn't go. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Go make today count.