Strategies Of The Spirit
The greatest strategy of the Spirit was the impartation of the Holy Spirit in Acts, chapter 2. Jesus gave instructions before He was ascended to “wait for the promise of the Father.” As He ascended, He tagged the Holy Spirit who was descending to permanently abide with us. This mysterious strategy, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory,” was designed by God in eternity to multiply His Spirit in the earth through His reconciliation with man. (I Corinthians 2: 8 KJV).
The Holy Spirit, is our paraclete, our helper, who enables us. Although, His actions are more prevalent in the New Testament through His indwelling in man, He has been around a long time. In the beginning, the Old Testament gives reference to the strategy of the Spirit as “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2 KJV). When God speaks, the Holy Spirit, the construction manager, moves to initiate and complete the construction process. He not only constructs, but also sustains and has the knowledge that we are in need of.
When God gave Moses the blueprint for the Tabernacle, He also filled the craftsmen with “the Spirit of God in wisdom, and understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 31:3). The Spirit of God even filled those that were to make the priestly garments. (Exodus 28:3). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us, the ultimate strategy, provides access to many mysteries that our human mind cannot even comprehend. There are gifts and abilities within us that must be tapped into. These things are not hidden from us, but reserved to be released on God’s operational timeline.
Even in the midst of the enemy’s plan, the Spirit of God will move, expose, and reveal those future things that one knows not of. Remember in the book of Numbers, chapters 22 – 24, when the king of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel. Although the enemy employed him with a plan to curse Israel, Balaam was only able to speak the word that God had put in his mouth after a supernatural encounter with an angel while he was on a donkey. God reversed the strategy of the enemy.
Extraordinary exploits become commonplace and the knowledge of them will spread when the Spirit of God is with you. After the death of Moses, God told Joshua, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, or forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage.” (Joshua 1:5-6 KJV). Before the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan to take Jericho, Rahab told the spies that were sent that they had heard about the great things the Lord did for them. In spite of their of the power of God, the city was taken by unusual circumstances that baffled them completely, and still baffles today. The battle strategy of marching around the city seemed ridiculous, but following the directions of God required spiritual as well as physical obedience for a flawless victory in which the only weapon was the Spirit of God.
In the course of many battles, David inquired of the Lord for a strategy to defeat the enemy; even those with him lack faith for the victory. (I Samuel 23:1-5 KJV). The most annoying enemy to David was the Philistines. The Lord would give specific instructions as David inquired of the Lord two different times. In II Samuel 5:17-25, the Lord told David to “go up for I will doubtless deliver the Philistine into thine hand.” II Samuel 5:19). Upon the return of the Philistines, again David inquired of the Lord. The strategy was specific as to the placement and timing. He was to go behind them and listen for the sound of the mulberry trees. (II Samuel 5:23-24). The Philistines came with the backlash, but they were defeated due to specific strategic operations of the Lord as He went before David to smite the enemy. Even at Ziklag, when the Amakelites destroyed their city and took the women and children, God gave David the answer. The people who were with him turned against him, “but David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (*I Samuel 30:6 KJV). The strategy was to “pursue; for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” (I Samuel 30:8). The Lord mighty in battle goes before us in many instances that we are unaware and defeats the enemy before we even engage in warfare.
Many strategies of the Holy Spirit are prevalent in the book of Acts, as that is the beginning of the church (not a building), being endued with the power of God to witness throughout the earth. In Acts, chapter 2, following instructions, many were waiting, praying on one accord and in a place to receive. What were they going to receive? They did not know. All they knew is that they had to be in a place for the promise of the Father was coming. Jesus spoke that the comforter would be coming from the Father, and that they would be “endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 KJV).
This strategy of multiplication of the Spirit outwitted the enemy. At first they were mocked because of the evidence, speaking in other tongues. After Peter spoke up to prove who Jesus really was, the people received the Word in their hearts and the number of Believers increased to three thousand. The officials decided to lock up Peter and John after the lame man at the gate Beautiful was healed. They thought that they could stop the power of God from moving. The result of their efforts was rendered null and void, as the increase of souls was five thousand. The movement of the Spirit of God was notable and there was no denying His power.
Boldness was the next strategy. Even though officials continued to threaten and lock them up, Peter and John refused to deny to speak or to deny teaching in the Name of Jesus. Has the church, the authority of God in the earth, lost its’ ability to speak with boldness? Is your position or prosperity more at stake than the truth of your salvation?
As the Word went forth, “The Lord working with them, confirming the Word with signs following,” manifested His power and authority. (Mark 16:20). Are signs and wonders only following some Believers? Is the Word going forth and working for you? The Holy Spirit works with you and for you. He will “teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26). Are we really listening to the Holy Spirit?
Boldness and increase continued to be evident when Paul came on the scene. There was a major turnaround. God used the same person that was attacking the church to preach and teach over many continents. As Paul went on many missionary journeys into areas with false gods, the door of faith was opened to many to receive the truth by the evidence of signs, wonders, and miracles. In one instance, the enemy attempted to hinder the move of the Spirit by using a sorcerer through negative influence. By the word of Paul, blindness came upon him for all to see. (Acts 13:6-12).
The Holy Spirit is with us on this journey of life that we are on. He needs us to the work of preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel. He is ready to move through us with signs and wonders that we cannot even imagine. He does not want us to back up with fear, but move forward with faith know that He is backing us up. He is with us! He wants us to experience every aspect of His move in the earth, so that we will not miss those great uncommon things that eyes have not seen or ear heard that are being released right now. It is no longer on the horizon. The Holy Spirit is here right now in full force pouring out on us.
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
(Joel 2:28-29 KJV)
©
2006
