Overcoming the “-ites”

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” – Numbers 13:30

Have you ever wondered why God sent the children of Israel to possess a land that was already occupied? He is God, why not create a new territory for them or send them to a territory that is not yet occupied especially since this was early enough where most of the earth was still empty? He wanted to get rid of the “-ites” and show Himself mighty. Are you in an industry with lots of competition? How should you approach your competition?

One of the things we teach in Biblical Entrepreneurship is that as kingdom business stewards we are not to be competitive but rather cooperative. However, one of the problems with this concept is that it can create a lack of understanding in dealing with business competitors or even acknowledging that we will have competitors. Being cooperative does not ignore the reality that we will have competitors but rather it gives us the mindset that we ought to have when dealing with competitors.

Why do competitors exist? Why does the Lord allow us to go into a business where there are competitors? First, competitors keep us on our knees and ensure that the customer gets the best price possible. Second, competitors exist so that God can be glorified and show himself strong and mighty.

In Numbers 13:1-2, God instructs Moses to send spies out to search the land before they possess it. So Moses obeys God’s instructions and sends out 12 leaders who are to conduct research on the land they were to possess. Upon their return from the 40-day journey, they bring evidence that indeed the land they visited is filled with milk and honey, as the Lord stated to them, and they bring back the fruit to prove it. However, they also go on to say that the land is occupied by the “-ites”: the Amalekites, the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites. They describe these people as people of great stature and conclude that they are not able to overcome them.

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” – Numbers 13:30

How do you overcome the “-ites?” How do you deal with those businesses who are occupying the territory that God has called you to possess?

1. Ensure that God has called you into that territory
2. Conduct market research so you have the data you need to devise a clear strategy
3. Develop a plan with a clear competitive advantage
4. Make sure you are in right standing with God
5. Love and pray for the competitor
6. Know that the battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s
7. Recognize that there are some companies that the Lord wants to remove while there are some that He wants to maintain

Not all competitors are bad. The “-ites” were not the only people that existed during that time in the world, there were other nations (i.e. Jethro and his gang). The “-ites” happened to be the ones that God wanted to get rid of because of a judgment upon them. You should know which competitors you are to collaborate with and those that you should not because of their unwillingness to cooperate or their commitment to destroy you at all cost. No matter who your competitors are, whether friendly or not, small or big, approach them the same way, without fear or intimidation, knowing that God wants to demonstrate His power through you and put you in a position to be His witness so others can turn their hearts towards Him.

Do you know who your “-ites” are? Know that you are well able to overcome them. My prayer for you is that you will overcome everything that may be against you so that you may obtain everything God has for you in waiting.