Grace to Say No

Growing up as a teenager, there was one truth I kept returning to: I needed God's grace.

I remember a verse that encouraged me deeply:

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”

Titus 2:11-12 goes on to teach that God's grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

I began making it personal.

I would pray:

“Lord, give me the grace to say NO to all forms of ungodliness.”

I did encounter challenges as a young person. But the Bible continually became my guide and encouragement.

I remember reading Psalm 119:9 again and again:

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?”

The answer pointed me back to God's Word.

I began to understand that purity was not simply about avoiding certain actions. It was also about being careful about what I allowed into my heart and mind.

There were magazines and books that I encountered that were not helpful. I loved reading, but I began noticing that some materials presented things that were contrary to God's Word as though they were normal.

I had to make a decision.

I could not read just anything simply because I loved reading.

I had to become intentional about what I allowed myself to consume.

That decision helped me.

At nineteen years old, I even wrote a journal of purity in my diary.

Looking back, I can see God's hand throughout that journey.

It was not simply my strength.

It was GRACE.

Grace to say no.

Grace to walk away.

Grace to choose wisely.

Grace to keep going.

Grace. Grace. Grace.