Letters From Grandpa #531

• LETTERS FROM GRANPA
• 531

Dearest grandchild,

Today’ letter will be on learning to say “no.” The word “no” appears 1,735 times in the NIV version of the Bible. In one sense this is an easy word to say. In fact, it is one of the first words little children learn. There is an old joke about the little boy who said to a stranger”: “My name is No No, what’s yours?” Yet Paul was inspired to write to Titus that the grace of God can teach us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions.

Here is the passage: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Nancy Reagan first became involved in our nation’s war against drugs during a presidential campaign trip in a 1980. When her husband became president she became famous for the slogan “Just say no!” This slogan, however, was actually created by Robert Cox and David Cantor who were executives in a New York advertising firm. With the help of the first lady “Just say no” clubs became common in schools throughout America.

Many years ago I was in a meeting in Caldwell, Idaho with the late Ernie Chamberlain. Among the many things that I admired in this remarkable man, was the obedience and respect given to him by his dog. Ernie spoke to his dog in a low voice that was scarcely above a whisper. Each time, however, the dog immediately obeyed his command. Ernie smiled and said: “It is never necessary to raise your voice to either a dog or a child.”

In 1971 Albert Mehrabian, a professor at UCLA, published a book called Silent Messages. In this book he claimed that 93% of what we say to people, we say without words. More specifically, 55 percent of communication is done through body language and 38 percent through tone. Too often dogs and children hear us say “no” but have learned from experience that we really don’t mean it. As our anger increases, however, we often increase the volume of our command. I am told that in a normal conversation human words are scaled at 80 decibels. Our screams, however, are scaled from 80 – 125 decibels. It is amazing how dogs and children can analyze the volume of our words.

Many years ago I was with a group of tourists visiting the pyramids near Mexico City. The vendors immediately descended on us eager to make a sale. I politely said “no” while wagging my finger back and forth as I had seen the Mexicans do. For some reason they believed me! Consequently they left me alone and devoted their efforts to others in the group. Their efforts were rewarded with several sales in the next couple of hundred yards. We need to learn to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passion in such a way that the Devil believes us!

James offers these inspired words regarding dealing with the Devil: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the

humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:4-7)

If you have time I think you will find this 6 minute video both humorous and helpful!

https://youtu.be/bcSAQyzPcl0

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce