The Power of "No"
A Dreamer's Denial
The curly-headed man’s words have been echoing in my mind ever since the dream.
“We’re going to die anyway. Let’s just get this over with now.”
I stood in the kitchen of a small house, watching him hold out his hand, waiting for me to give him my arm.
An image flashed through my mind — him injecting me with whatever was in that syringe. I’d fall asleep. I wouldn’t even know I was dying. It would be over.
But one word escaped my mouth.
“No.”
It’s such a small yet powerful word — a complete sentence. There’s no confusion about what it means. It’s simple, firm, and final.
Throughout the dream, he stalked toward me, but never touched me. No matter how much pressure he applied, I kept repeating that single word.
Even when I found myself among a cheering crowd—people celebrating as the serum rained down over them like a victory mist—I panicked. They seemed euphoric, swept up by something they believed would save them. But he said calmly,
“This isn’t how it works. It has to be in you. You have to let it in.”
Of course, my answer didn’t change.
“No.”
When I woke up, questions raced through my mind.
Why did the people cheer?
What was the liquid?
Why couldn’t he force me to give in?
Then the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
He couldn’t touch me because I resisted.
Even trembling and backing away, repeating that word, he had no power over me unless I allowed it.
The Bible says,
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7, NIV.
But in this dream, he didn’t flee. He stayed, patient and persuasive, whispering that resistance was pointless. That death was inevitable. I should stop fighting.
And when the crowd cheered, I wondered:
How many of them were already asleep to what was truly happening?
How many had said “yes” long ago, surrendering without knowing what they’d accepted?
I was alone—but the narrow path often is; as Matthew 7:13-14 says, few find it. Even when the world cheers for what numbs the soul, we are called not to conform (Romans 12:2).
So take this as a reminder: death of the spirit is not inevitable.
Temptation loses its power when you refuse to let it in.
When the world urges you to give in—whether to apathy, compromise, or fear—remember, you have a choice.
Say “No.”
Refelection
What lie has been asking for your permission lately?
The thought that says, “You’ll never change”?
The temptation to give up?
Remember—he can’t touch you unless you let him. So lift your chin, plant your feet, and say it out loud: “No.”
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us the power to say, “No.” Thank you for calling us Your children. You told Your disciples in Luke 10:17-20 not to rejoice when they could cast out demons, but to rejoice that their names were written in the book of life. We rejoice in that now. You are mighty. And we pray, Father, that when temptation surrounds us, You stand for us. That we lean on You and resist the lion that stalks us like prey. That we. Say. No. In Jesus’ name, Amen.