Introduction 

In military engagements, diplomatic negotiations, even business discussions, it is a well- known necessity to confront one’s opponents from a position of strength. On the other hand, the Christian religion teaches that one best wins confrontations from an attitude of meekness and the surrender of one’s own interests. Bible stories, even the life of Jesus, portray God’s people overcoming evil opponents by surrendering from positions of strength.

Positions of Strength

The Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament, is rife with stories of God’s people dealing with problems from positions of strength. Jacob and Moses hauled heavy covers off wells so their future wives could water their sheep. Samson played various devastating pranks against the Philistines, including carrying the gates of Gaza to Hebron. He killed many enemies… and himself… by pushing over the pillars of the temple where they celebrated his defeat.

David may have appeared weak, even unable to wear Saul’s armor into battle against Goliath. Rather, he fought from the strong position of slinging a stone into the forehead of that monster. Later, he fled Saul’s murderous pursuit and built up an army of misfits that fought off a rival’s attempt to take the throne of Israel. Ultimately, these examples of God’s victors were enabled by the strength of His Ruach (Zechariah 4:6).

Jesus Himself and the colonial leaders (apostolos) He sent out performed many powerful deeds of proclaiming, teaching, healing, and raising people from the dead, all by the power of Holy Spirit. They acted powerfully against the principalities and powers that were holding the Jews and the Gentiles in bondage to Roman oppression, disobedient activities, poverty, disease, and death.

Overcoming by Surrendering

Jesus and His followers overcame the evil of this world, of the Roman empire, and of religious bondage by surrendering to that evil… from their positions of strength. Living in total surrender to the Father, Jesus allowed the religious rulers to condemn Him for blasphemy, the Roman political powers to nail Him to a cross. These two mighty spiritual forces, along with the exploitation of a murderous mob, brought about the death of this innocent Man.

In His surrender to their evil, Jesus exposed that evil and destroyed it (Colossians 2:15). He did not surrender from weakness. He laid down His life from the strength of Holy Spirit and His total innocence.

Strength of President Jack Ryan

In his book, Executive Orders, Tom Clancy elevated his serial main character to the position of President of the United States. Despite his personal distaste for the job, Jack worked to fulfill his oath of office. He urged the citizens to restore government leadership by electing ordinary people to represent them. Ryan watched as loyal members of the Secret Service gave their lives to protect his little girl and prevent an attempt on his own life. He acted on the advice of medical leadership to protect the population from assault by a bioweapon plague.

Jack threatened the use of nuclear weapons against one nation that attempted to hamper the maneuvering of U.S. military might. As the Commander in Chief, he ordered that might to help allies thwart a military attack against those allies.

Finally, Jack promised mercy and friendship toward the attacking nation. However, he ordered the assassination of the evil leader who ordered

• the terrorist attack against his daughter
• the bioweapon attack against U.S. citizens
• the attempted attack against himself
• and the failed attack against the allies of the U.S.

Give Up the Attitude of Weakness

God calls His people to reign in life by the power of Ruach (Romans 5:17). He wants to grow us into people who will influence the leaders in politics, business – all Seven Mountains of society. He wants us together to oppose the principalities and powers that rule in those sectors of society. 

This will often require us to lay down our lives to overcome those powers. We can meekly do that because we trust Him to work through our surrendering from positions of strength.