The Biggest Word In The English Language Only Has Two Letters

Do you find certain words hard to pronounce? Sometimes the funny names in the Bible give us a hard time.  The longest name in the Bible is Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1) (try to say that three times fast!). But that’s not the hardest word to say. The hardest word in the English language has only two letters? NO!

It is especially hard to pronounce when everyone is looking at us and wanting us to say “Yes.” It is tough to face temptation (something that would, admittedly, be fun to do), and give a firm “no.” The word seems to get stuck. The lips won’t cooperate. The tongue is suddenly, strangely, rendered mute. This is not a new disease. It is a sickness as old as man.

Adam and Eve had it! They were too weak to say “no” to the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-14). Many teenagers are too weak to say “no” to forbidden “fruit juice” (wine coolers, beer). In contrast, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshech, Abednego) refused the forbidden food and drink of the Babylonians (Daniel 1:11).

The Israelites were too weak to say “no” to the lust of the flesh in the wilderness (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). Many teenagers find it hard to say “no” to the lust of immodest dress and dancing. Vashti, though, had courage enough to refuse both (Esther 1:1-22) and there are thousands of your brothers and sisters who have not given in to the world’s pressures.

David couldn’t “pronounce” this tough little word when facing Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Many are too weak to say “no” to their boyfriends who want to commit fornication today. But, on the other hand, Joseph was able to say the word when facing Potiphar’s wife, even though it cost him his freedom (Genesis 39:7-23). Though teens say, “everybody is doing it” today, they are wrong! Christians are still waiting for marriage (Hebrews 13:4).