Rules for Radicals (Wikipedia summary)
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Bible (Bible.org)
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“Power is not only
what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2
main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and
blood.
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The Lord says,
“Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not
boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are
rich. If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should
boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and
understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice
in the earth and that I desire people to do these things” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
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“Never go outside
the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat.
Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
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As he was walking
by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew
his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to
them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!” They left
their nets immediately and followed him (Matthew 4:18-20).
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“Whenever
possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase
insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
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Blessed are the
merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7).
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“Make the enemy
live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a
reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can
possibly obey all of their own rules.
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For this is the
way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should
be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
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“Ridicule is man’s
most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating.
It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.
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“You have heard
that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever
murders will be subjected to judgment.’ But I say to you that anyone who is
angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a
brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be
sent to fiery hell (Matthew 5:21-22).
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“A good tactic is
one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to
do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
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Blessed are those
who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to
them (Matthew 5:10).
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“A tactic that
drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.
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So we must not
grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up
(Galatians 6:9).
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“Keep the pressure
on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance.
As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with
something new.
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Always rejoice,
constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
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“The threat is
usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream
up many more consequences than any activist.
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“Do not judge so that you will not be
judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you
use will be the measure you receive" (Matthew 7:1-2).
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"The major
premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a
constant pressure upon the opposition." It is this unceasing pressure
that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the
success of the campaign.
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…make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew
28:19-20).
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“If you push a
negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence
from the other side can win the public to your side because the public
sympathizes with the underdog.
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See that no one
pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one
another and for all (I Thessalonians 5:15).
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“The price of a
successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score
points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.
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Now when they
heard this, they were acutely distressed and said to Peter and the rest of
the apostles, “What should we do, brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and
each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts
2:37-38).
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“Pick the target,
freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and
isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions;
people hurt faster than institutions.
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In everything,
treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law
and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).
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