The Rev. Susan Sparks, a Baptist preacher from the South, delivered a powerful sermon titled “Not Today Satan” at a Monday morning worship service. The sermon, centered around the theme of temptation and resistance, resonated deeply with the congregation. Sparks shared her personal struggle with negativity and how she found solace in a simple sign that read, “Not Today Satan.” This phrase became her mantra and the foundation of her message, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and resisting the devil’s influence in our lives.
Sparks explained that the Greek word for devil, “diabolos,” translates to “back biter” or “false accuser,” highlighting the devil’s insidious nature. She emphasized that our inner demons, or “shadow selves” as psychologist Carl Jung called them, are often the battleground where Satan exploits our vulnerabilities. She referenced 1 Peter 5:8, which warns us to be vigilant against the devil’s schemes, comparing his tactics to a lion stalking its prey.
Sparks recounted witnessing a lion hunt a wildebeest on a safari in the Serengeti. The lion patiently observed the herd, waiting for the opportune moment to strike the weakest member. This observation served as a powerful analogy for how Satan preys on our insecurities through shame, fear, and self-doubt. He whispers insidious lies, telling us we are not good enough or lovable, echoing the serpent’s deceitful words to Eve in the Garden of Eden.
To combat these negative influences, Sparks presented a three-point plan, summarized by the acronym POW: Pivot, Occupy the Light, and Whack the devil upside the head. The first step, Pivot, involves strategically removing ourselves from situations or influences that feed our negative thoughts and emotions. Just as a boxer relies on footwork to control the fight, we must learn to pivot away from negativity, whether it comes from overwhelming news headlines or social media.
The second step, Occupy the Light, encourages us to immerse ourselves in positivity and truth. Sparks shared an anecdote about rescuing neglected plants from a dimly lit Kmart basement. These plants, deprived of essential light, served as a metaphor for how we can wither under the shadow of negativity. Just as plants thrive in sunlight, we too flourish when we embrace positivity and truth, blossoming into the individuals God intended us to be. She reminded the congregation of Philippians 4:8, urging them to focus on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
The final step, Whack the devil upside the head, embodies a decisive rejection of Satan’s influence. Sparks drew a parallel between this action and Jesus’ command for Satan to “get thee behind me.” It’s a declaration of defiance, a refusal to succumb to temptation. She shared a poem emphasizing inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity: “The devil whispered in my ear, ‘You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.’ Today I whispered in the devil’s ear, ‘I am the storm.'”
Sparks concluded her sermon by reminding the congregation of their duty to help those in need, to stand up for justice, and to be a force for good in the world. She urged them to remember the hymn “I’m gonna live so God can use me,” emphasizing the importance of taking action and living a life of purpose. Her final message, delivered with passion and conviction, resonated with the audience: “Not Today Satan, Not Today.” The congregation responded with a resounding “Amen,” affirming their commitment to resist temptation and live in the light.
