Podcast Summary

Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Take & Hold The High Ground | Kenneth Copeland | Holy Ghost Meetings 2021
Date: January 9, 2021
Location: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Speaker: Kenneth Copeland
Host: Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

This dynamic episode centers on the spiritual principle of "taking and holding the high ground"—a metaphor drawn from military strategy and applied to the life of faith. Kenneth Copeland exhorts believers to stand strong on the “high ground” of faith and love, regardless of circumstances, opposition, or challenges. Using rich personal stories, biblical examples, and practical teaching, Copeland discusses the necessity of corresponding action to faith, the centrality of love, and the importance of compassion as the motive behind faith. The episode emphasizes victory in Christ, obedience, and living out God’s love as demonstration of spiritual maturity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Military Metaphor – Take and Hold the High Ground

• [01:48] Copeland shares his appreciation for military principles, explaining the foundational strategy: “take and hold the high ground.” He recounts the WWII battle of Monte Cassino to illustrate how the high ground offers advantage, applying this to spiritual warfare.
  • Quote:

    “The faith way is the high ground. The love way is the high ground. ... Take the high ground. Look down on the enemy, not up at him.” (Kenneth Copeland, 05:37)

• Encourages believers not to let the enemy (the devil or negative circumstances) see them “sweat” or doubt the victory already won in Christ.

2. Spiritual Encouragement & Prophetic Exhortation

• Copeland shares a prophetic word emphasizing victory for believers:
  • Quote:

    “Don’t you ever allow him, saith the Lord, to have any idea that you don’t have the victory, because you do have the victory. I am your victory.” (Kenneth Copeland, 07:45)

• Advocates for spiritual perspective: "the view is wonderful" from the high ground, referencing Moses’ experience on Mount Nebo as a vision of divine perspective.

3. Personal and Ministry Anecdotes

• [14:00] Copeland shares humorous stories about ministry meetings, early moments when people first fell out “under the power” during services, and stories about fellow ministers Hank and Brenda Kunneman.
• Reminisces about his own journey, stating a drive “to never quit, to never give up,” likening it to “it ain’t over till it’s over.”

4. Principles of Faith and Corresponding Action

• [33:00] Core teaching: Faith must be accompanied by preparation and action (“corresponding action”).
  • Example: The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. She didn’t just believe and speak; she acted by reaching out to Jesus.
  • Quote:

    “Faith, of course, is a more powerful spiritual force. Faith is a catalyst... The word preached did them no good, not mixed with faith.” (Kenneth Copeland, 39:50)

• Illustrates with a practical analogy of epoxy resin: two inert substances only become active when mixed—so, faith is only potent when mixed with action.

5. Faith's Motive is Always Love

• [49:40] Copeland underscores that genuine faith operates from a place of love.
  • Quote:

    “Faith’s motive is always love. ... What did it? Love.” (Kenneth Copeland, 1:01:17)

6. Deliverance & Compassion Stories

• Relates a transformative deliverance story involving a Jamaican woman, whose mental torment was broken by the simple assurance of Christ’s love, not just by casting out spirits.
  • “I said, baby, look at me. I said, the Lord wanted me to tell you he loves you. ... That spirit was gone. What did it? Love.” (1:01:15)

7. Preparation for God’s Blessings – Example from Mark 5

• [1:13:00] When Jesus delivered the man possessed by Legion, Copeland draws attention to the fact that the man was found “clothed and in his right mind.”
  • Teaches that faith “prepares for what it expects”—Jesus ensured there were clothes ready, indicating the importance of expecting and preparing for God’s blessing.

8. Love, Compassion, and Practical Ministry

• [1:29:00] Recalls a healing crusade story where compassion ("passion") fueled the miraculous.
  • Quote:

    “Compassion came over me, but it made me mad. ... That’s what love does.” (Kenneth Copeland, 1:31:40)

9. Imitating God by Walking in Love

• [1:41:00] Cites Ephesians 5:1—calls to “imitate God and walk in love,” emphasizing the Christian’s call to act in love, not simply follow rules.
  • “I must take the high ground. And it’s not easy sometimes.” (Kenneth Copeland, 1:54:30)

10. New Commandment: Love One Another

• [1:47:30] Deep dive into the significance of Jesus' "new commandment" (John 13:34), given during the Last Supper:
  • “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”
• Copeland discusses spiritual maturity—love is the sign of true discipleship (John 13:35).
  • “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

11. Personal Growth & Correction

• Shares how God corrected his attitude towards politicians and others, reinforcing that love must supersede personal preference or feelings.
  • “I didn’t tell you to like him. I told you to pray for him and love him.” (Kenneth Copeland, 1:58:15)

12. Practical Steps: Rooted and Grounded in Love

• [2:14:00] From Ephesians 3:14-19, Copeland explains that believers are called to be “rooted and grounded in love” in order to experience “the fullness of God” and the “greater works” promised by Jesus (John 14:12).
  • “We’re about to see the greater works. Stay in there with me.” (Kenneth Copeland, 2:16:30)

13. Prosperity and Generosity Tied to Love and Obedience

• [2:25:00] Teaches from Ephesians 4 on practical outworking of love—honesty, forgiveness, working with your hands “so you have to give,” and how “the blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”
  • “When you give, it’ll make a living for you. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich.” (Kenneth Copeland, 2:29:45)

14. Call to Faith and Salvation

• [2:35:00] Final exhortation and invitation to receive Christ, encouraging listeners to seize the day and “take the high ground” in their own lives, believing for God’s grace, healing, and blessing.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “The faith way is the high ground. The love way is the high ground. Even at times when it seems... this is the worst thing I can possibly do. ... Take the high ground.”
  — Kenneth Copeland (05:37)

• “Don't you ever let the devil see you sweat. ... I am your victory. I always will be your victory.”
  — Copeland, prophetic word (07:45)

• “Faith, of course, is a more powerful spiritual force. Faith is a catalyst... but unless it’s mixed with action, it is dead…”
  — Copeland (39:50)

• "Faith’s motive is always love. You're going to see that."
  — Copeland (49:40)

• “What did it? Love. Faith's motive is always love.”
  — Copeland, regarding deliverance testimony (1:01:15)

• “I must take the high ground. ... it’s not easy to do sometimes.”
  — Copeland (1:54:30)

• "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you."
  — Jesus (quoted by Copeland, 1:47:30)

• “When you give, it'll make a living for you. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich.”
  — Copeland (2:29:45)

Key Takeaways

• Stand Firm in Faith: No matter the challenge, take your spiritual “high ground” by clinging to faith, speaking life, and refusing to look up at the enemy.
• Love is Central: True faith cannot function apart from love; compassion is the unmistakable motive behind the work of the Spirit.
• Preparation as Corresponding Action: Expectation in faith means preparing physically and spiritually for God to move—in healing, provision, or deliverance.
• Imitate God’s Love: Believers are urged to imitate (mimic) God by walking in love and forgiveness, reflecting Jesus in all relationships.
• Compassion Fuels Miracles: Compassion isn’t just a feeling—it’s a powerful force that moves people toward action and brings miraculous results.
• Rooted and Grounded in Love: Spiritual maturity is evidenced by increasing capacity to love and forgive; this makes room for the “greater works” Jesus promised.
• Prosperity Is for Generosity: Scriptural prosperity is for fueling generosity and blessing others, not just personal gain.
• God’s Victory is Assured: The battle is already won in Christ. Maintain perspective, stay on “God’s side of everything,” and act out your victory.
• The Call to Salvation: There is an open invitation for anyone to receive salvation, with a tender, practical prayer led by Copeland.

Structure & Flow

1. Establishment of “take and hold the high ground” as both a military and spiritual principle.
2. Testimonies and prophetic encouragement regarding standing firm in faith and love.
3. Teaching on faith, corresponding action, and love as faith’s catalyst.
4. Scriptural exegesis (Mark 5, Ephesians 3 & 4, John 13-14) anchoring practical principles.
5. Personal stories, ministry anecdotes, and life illustrations to connect principles to real-world faith living.
6. Conclusion with an invitation to Christ, corporate prayer, and blessing for the listeners.

For Further Application

• Reflect on areas where you need to “take the high ground”—choose faith over fear.
• Examine whether your actions reflect the love of Christ, even for those you disagree with.
• Remember to expect and prepare for God’s blessings, mixing faith with intentional steps.
• Walk in daily forgiveness to maintain the flow of God’s presence and “keep the anointing strong.”
• Practice generosity as a demonstration of a prosperous, faith-filled, and loving life.

[End of Summary]