CENTRAL THOUGHT
The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.
TEXT: LUKE 10:14-19; ROM.6:11-14; 1 JOHN 4:4
INTRODUCTION:
We live in a world where the activities of angels, demons and familiar spirits are manifest; for it is a world exposed to the influence of principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world. These forces influence the thoughts, actions, and behavior of the people.
There is delegated authority, the right to use power as received and when needed. (Luke 10:17-19). Originally the right was given to Adam in the beginning (Gen.1:27-28), sold out to the devil, but fully restored through the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence it does not matter whether you are a child, an adolescent or fully grown but as a believer, you are equipped to exercise dominion over the powers of darkness.
With the defeat of Satan, principalities and powers were also conquered and now the believer is raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places with Christ and live in His victory (Eph.2:6).
This study focuses on our dominion and rights as children of God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To understand what dominion is.
- To identify the source of our dominion.
- To know how to maintain our dominion in Christ.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORD DOMINION?
According to Longman dictionary of contemporary English, Dominion is the power or right to rule. Great Illustrated dictionary defines dominion as control or the exercise of control; rule; sovereignty; a territory or sphere Of influence or control; a realm; a domain. At the Garden of Eden, the first man lost the dominion God gave him over all living creatures. (Gen.1:27-30, 3:6,17-19). What we lost through the first man Adam was restored By the last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ.
QUESTION 2) WHAT SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN EXERCISE DOMINION OVER?
ROM. 6:11-14, 1 JOHN 2:12-14, EPH.1:18-23.
This can be categorized into three, namely the flesh, Satan, and the world. Talking about flesh, the Christian man or Woman should have dominion over sin. Sin in any form should not Lord over the believer in Christ. This also includes all appetites and habits. Ps.19:13 “Keep your servant back from presumptuous sins”. Considering the demands of the flesh Paul declares, “All things are lawful but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” 1 Cor.6:12.
Moreover, the believer should exercise dominion over Satan and his cohorts. Lk.10:19 declare that the Lord Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy. Also, 1 John 5:19 explains that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (NIV). The Lord Jesus said “be of good cheer I have overcome the world” Jn.16:33.
Consequently the believer has been equipped enough to exercise and maintain dominion over the world (1 Jn.5:5).
QUESTION 3) HOW SHOULD THE BELIEVER EXERCISE DOMINION?
JAMES 4:7; EPH.6:10-18; MK.16:15-18.
The scriptures teach us how we may overcome the enemy and exercise dominion over all things. Rev.12:11 declares “they (the servants of the Lord) over him (Satan) by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony”. The Blood of the Lamb and our confession are potent weapons in the exercise of our dominion. From Eph.6 we have the Armor of God with which the believer can effectively quench the fiery darts of the enemy. Verses 10-18 Enumerate what constitute the whole armor of God which the believer in Christ should put on. Phil.2:10 declares that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow”, so the believer should appropriately use the name of Jesus in the daily exercise of dominion.
QUESTION 4) ARE THERE ANY CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SOMEONE CAN LOSE THIS DOMINION? DISCUSS 1 COR.3:1-3.
Living in sin and making practice of it can make the believer lose his dominion, and consequently the word of God in his mouth becomes ineffectual. The backing of God through the power of the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, as we can see in the life of Samson who before his fall was a terror to the Philistines; but later became their prey and object of mockery.
QUESTION 5) HOW ARE WE TO MAINTAIN OUR DOMINION?
ROM.6:11-13; 1 PET.5:5-9; 1 PET.3:17-18; 1 THESS.5:16-22.
The safest way to maintain our dominion is by living a Godly life, and not allowing sin to reign in one’s mortal body. Furthermore, the believer should resist the adversary steadfastly, walk in the spirit, pray continually, avoid all appearance of evil, and continue to grow in the grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The Lord Jesus had laid the foundation by dying a shameful death like a robber, so that we in Him might have dignity and dominion. So, the victory over sin, Satan and the world is sure. This is made real if the believers can recognize that today we are “raised up together and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” and live in Christ’s victory (Eph.2:6). Therefore, our victory lies in knowing and appropriating the things that have been freely given to us.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 JOHN 4:4
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Man had dominion at the beginning. Gen.1:27-28.
TUE: Man in Christ has received delegated authority. Lk.10:17-19.
WED: Man in Christ should have dominion over sin. Rom.6:11-14.
THU: Man in Christ should have dominion over the world. 1 John 2:12-14.
FRI: How the believer can overcome the enemy. Eph.6:10-18; Phil.2:10.
SAT: Maintain your dominion in Christ. Rom.6:11-13; 1 Thess.5:16-22; 1 Pet.5:5-9; 2 Pet.3:17-18.