A few years ago, an attempted bank robbery was thwarted when an armed and courageous customer stopped a man who claimed to have a bomb strapped to his chest. Here’s what happened.
Shortly after the bank opened, a man approached a teller and threatened to detonate a bomb if she didn’t hand over the money. Another teller, who saw what was going down, alerted long-time customer Nabil Fawzi, who happened to be legally packing a handgun.
Calmly, Fawzi pulled out his concealed pistol, pointed it at the robber and firmly announced, “You are not robbing this bank today!” He then ordered the thief to sit in a chair and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.
Most of us won’t witness a robbery at our local bank, but Jesus warned that we all are in danger of being robbed. When He described Himself as the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), Jesus reminded His followers that there is an unseen thief who is out “to steal and kill and destroy” the life He came to restore (John 10:10).
The “thief” Jesus referred to is Satan—the once mightiest of angels who fell when he became arrogant and turned against his Maker (Isaiah 14:12-14). Though God defeated Satan’s attempt to overthrow heaven, Satan and his fallen angels are still active today.
Jesus wants to give us life, and Satan wants to steal it away. The evil one is bent on keeping us from the life with God that he once had but can never get back. It’s imperative that we know this, so that we can be alert and resist him (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Satan is an accomplished thief, but we’re far from helpless. Like Nabil Fawzi, we are armed (but with God’s truth) and can firmly tell him, “Not today!”
More:
Read Ephesians 6:10-18 to gain insight into how to resist the devil.
Next:
How has Satan been trying to steal life from you? What has Jesus— your Good Shepherd— provided to help you withstand Satan’s schemes?
shalomiom on February 11, 2011 at 4:40 am
Every time I received nasty and hurting words from a friend, from a family member or hear curses from a driver I met on the road, from my boss in the office, I bear in mind that my struggle and fight is not against persons but against principalities and powers, from the devil himself taking control of the situation at that time. My best weapon is to pray and ask for God’s peace in my heart and be overwhelmed by His overflowing love.
marvin williams on February 11, 2011 at 7:10 am
Jeff, thanks for a great devo today. Because I am always thinking of sticky phrases when I preach, your “Not today” really caught my attention. Along with the word of God, this will be my “resist the devil” phrase when the devil tries to steal my joy or unity in my family or my church. Again, thanks for shepherding us today.
alegria on February 11, 2011 at 7:34 am
Jeff, I really needed this today. The spiritual battle rages, and I needed to be reminded that I have a choice in how I react to the attacks. Thank you for giving us a tool to use in the fight today.
lindagma on February 11, 2011 at 7:54 am
Great thoughts…attacks come in all forms and satan knows where we are weak. Arming ourselves with the word each morning, helps to direct our focus and be ready for whatever the day brings.
GrowinginChrist on February 11, 2011 at 8:12 am
This is so timely. Satan and his as I call them “kin folk” are always on their job doing what they do. But God is also on his job doing what he does, blessing us and keeping us if we only trust him. Satan is real, but so is God and He is stronger. Greater is He that is in us, and He gives us the power to fight against those evil principalities through his holy word and the precious blood of his son Jesus. Yes indeed, “Not today”
Thank you and be blessed
KrisB on February 11, 2011 at 8:18 am
The devil has been getting into my head giving me all the reasons I can’t do anything I set my mind to lately. It seems simple but your saying “not today” has empowered me so much. Next time the devil attempts to attack my thoughts I’ll just give him a “not today” and keep on moving in the things God has for me. Thank you Jeff for a great word of encouragement.
jeff olson on February 11, 2011 at 8:29 am
Great posts!
Yes, when I’m in the throes of something, I sometimes forget about the unseen spiritual battle involved…so its helpful to be reminded of it.
mojito on February 11, 2011 at 11:58 am
Whenever the devil comes along in your life, we
can say to the devil,”You cannot touch me, I am
God’s property and GET OUT!” Like the comment,
NOT TODAY! We will always be surrounded by
Satan but we need to be reminded often that God
is in control…
sowharvest on February 11, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Jeff This was a timely message.. Just like the other responses I have been dealing with some tough situations (all relating to lack) however the devotional reminded me.. YES… I don’t have to to let the devil try to take my HOPE. Because as the scripture aptly points out” “I come that they might have LIFE” (v.10) –so my HOPE lies in the Almighty who can & does care about everything that we are going through. Thanks
daisymarygoldr on February 11, 2011 at 4:31 pm
God’s truth says—by His death and resurrection Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd has already defeated and destroyed the power of Satan (Heb 2:14). And so, the thief that sneaks into my life to destroy and rob me of my joy is—self.
It is my sinful flesh that gives the devil a foothold (Eph 4:26-27). God heals the wounds caused by nasty and hurting words. But it is my human flesh that keeps looking at the scars and reminds me of the painful situations that caused it. In my weak carnal nature I allow myself to wallow in self-pity, sorrow, guilt, doubt and shame. I am the one who willfully gives in to discouragement, despair, hopelessness and anger.
Lest the fear of failure and rejection overcomes to kill me, I must be armed with God’s truth to withstand Satan’s schemes and firmly tell myself, “Not today!”
Thanks jeff olson for the encouraging post!
eppistle on February 11, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Satan can steal our joy as a bully bank robber (1 Peter 5:8-9). But I think he’s even more effective (at least with me) as a sneaky con artist (2 Corinthians 11:14) trying to convince me to trade in my joy in the Lord for short-term pleasure. When he tries to bully us, we should resist (James 4:7). When he tries to con us, we should flee (2 Timothy 2:22). When we flee from the battle, we’re cowards. When we try to resist the siren, we’re fools.