The Power of NO – Saying No to Compromise

1. Over the last few weeks Pastor David covered key points for our understanding the power and necessity of NO… Which one has helped you, spoke most to you, or is something you need to practice more?

1. Decision Fatigue: The mental exhaustion that occurs after making numerous decisions, leading to poorer quality decisions or decision avoidance.
2. Ego Depletion: The idea that our willpower and self-control are limited resources that can become depleted with use, affecting our ability to make choices and resist impulses.
3. Cognitive Load Theory: The theory that our working memory has limited capacity, and when overloaded with too much information or tasks, our ability to process and retain information is impaired.
4. Radical amputation: The term often used metaphorically in psychological or self-help contexts. It refers to the idea of completely cutting off or removing something from one’s life that is causing harm or hindering progress.

2. Numbers 22:28-30 says, “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”  Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”  The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 

Take time to discuss this portion of scripture and explore this statement; “When you are driven by personal desires you miss the irrational situation you are in”.

3. Numbers 25:1-3 says, “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods.  So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. 

When the enemy could not curse Israel (YOU), he defeated them by compromise.  Where in your life are you compromising your faith?

4. Take time as a group to talk openly and honestly about the sermons and what you learned.  Also, take time to pray together and allow God to minister as you bring continued resolve to your faith.