1. Preemptive Attacks: When the Midianites came against Israel (Judges 7) Gideon realized that they were outnumbered twelve-to-one. Then the Lord directed Gideon to take just three hundred of his men and make a preemptive strike on the enemy camp by night. As a result of that battle, Midian’s dominion over Israel was broken forever. When we aggressively pursue an apostolic vision, we can eventually overrun the enemy’s ability to resist us. By being passionately visionary, rather than reactionary – we can gain the upper hand in the battle and render the enemy unable to recover! Jesus said, “All authority is given unto me… Go Therefore”!
2. Hit the Enemy Where it Hurts: When Jesus heard the news that John the Baptist had been beheaded, He went out and preached the gospel, healed the sick and cast out devils. Then He sent out 70 more disciples to do the same. Afterwards Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:17-19) Satan’s influence over that whole area was crippled, because the church was busy plundering hell and populating heaven! Identify ruling spirits over your area, come against them through prayer, and preach sermons that contradict that climate. Then act in the opposite spirit: a positive, faith filled, generous spirit, and watch the spiritual climate change!
3. Concentration of Force: Military commanders often use a concentration of force to overwhelm the enemy’s defenses at a certain point and cut off their supply lines. As the early church grew, the Apostles chose deacons so they themselves could concentrate on the word of God and prayer. (Acts 6) Paul said, “This one thing I do” (Phil 3:13). You must know your objectives, establish your priorities, and make bold, strategic decisions. Then you have to throw all your effort into that initiative. Every three months I identify the three weakest areas in our church and make a focused, passionate, concentrated effort to rectify them.
4. The Principle of Perseverance. Paul told Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 2:3) When he heard that France had fallen, Winston Churchill said, “The battle of France is over and I expect the battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization! Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves, that if the British Commonwealth lasts for a thousand years, men will say, ‘This was their finest hour’”. Neither jail, stoning, shipwreck, or rejection could stop the Apostle Paul. Why? Because he had a God-given purpose that was bigger than himself. The church that relies on God’s power can be criticized, but it can’t be contained. Frustrated, but not stopped. Hindered, but not quenched. If God is behind even the smallest thing, it will ultimately prevail. “Never surrender!”
5. Songs of Victory in Times of War: King David was a warrior, not a wimp. He gave us a book of war songs - the Book of Psalms: read Ps 18:29-36. Martin Luther wrote the song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. William Booth told his song writers, “I want you to write songs that will stir the hearts of our soldiers and focus us on our vision”. His favorite hymn was, “Onward Christian Soldiers."
In Christ we have already won the battle! We just have to inform our people and demonstrate Satan’s defeat on earth by casting out devils, healing the sick, and winning souls for Christ!
Yours for Kingdom Advancement
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International