Not Today, Satan!
From the moment my alarm went off this morning, a thousand anxious and worrisome thoughts filled my mind.
The schedule is full again today. How will I get it all done?
Why do I still feel so tired?
Yea, my headache is back. . .again!
I wonder if it’s supposed to rain today. I’m sick of rain.
Amidst the turmoil of my soul, I uttered the three words God laid on my heart this weekend: “Not today, Satan!” I don’t mind telling you I’ve had quite enough of his antics. I’m sick of him stealing my peace and joy day after day. He’s had me running in circles, and enough is enough! So, by God’s strength, I shout from the depth of my inner being, “Not today, Satan!”
When he fills my mind with anxious thoughts that cause my heart to race and my peace to retreat, I say, “Not today, Satan!”
When he urges me to be critical of those around me, “Not today, Satan!”
When my heart is overwhelmed, and I feel like giving up, “Not today, Satan!”
When I’m tempted by that piece of cake or that third helping of dinner, I cry, “Not today, Satan!”
When I feel the pull to skip my exercises and watch television instead, I shout, “Not today, Satan!”
Not today! He may have tricked me yesterday. He may have won the battles last week. But today is a new day, and I have a choice. I can say, “No,” and I choose to do just that. I’m tired of playing the part of a puppet on a string. God gave me free will, and when Jesus died for my sin, He gave me the power over that sin. I’m no longer a prisoner. I decide each day whether to live in freedom or captivity, and with that in mind, I say, “Not today, Satan! Today, I am free, and I will act like it!”
My friend, if you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, you, too, are free. You are not bound by sin. The only power it holds over you is that you surrender to its pull. May I urge you to stand with me today and declare, “Not today, Satan!” Don’t worry about yesterday. You can’t change that. Don’t even worry about tomorrow. You’re not there yet. Consider today. When Satan comes to tempt you, distract you, discourage you, or dissuade you from following God, hold your head up high, and tell him, “Not today, Satan! This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).” Then follow through.
You may make this declaration once in the morning and live it out throughout the day, or you may have to declare your choice repeatedly throughout the day. I’ve only been up for about an hour, and I’ve already had a few occasions to say, “Not today, Satan!” But here’s the thing: we have God’s promise that if we resist the devil, he will eventually flee from us (James 4:7). He’ll see we’re no longer giving in to him. We’re no longer an easy target. And like he did with Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4, Luke 4), he’ll be on his way (though I warn you, he probably won’t stay away long; he’s persistent that way!).
Not today, Satan. I could wallow in self-pity, but what good would that do? I could allow the demands of life to sap my strength and joy, but then how would I serve God? I could give in to the promise of an “easy life,” but why would I? I know Satan is a liar and the father of all liars (John 8:44). Why would I believe anything he says? No, thank you! I choose to listen to the Voice of Truth who tells me I’m already an overcomer. How about you?
“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. ”
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ”
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5FuR41p-pg&w=854&h=480]