Mensa Otabil - Dominate
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Genesis 1, verse 26: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
This is one of the most pivotal verses in the Bible, and I've preached so much from this verse because it's so fundamental to the purpose that God has for us here on earth. God created us for dominion, not to dominate one another, but to dominate circumstances and situations. The word "dominion" carries the idea of contending with something that is untamed and bringing it under control. God created us in such a way that when we confront something that resists His authority, we can bring it under subjection; and when we confront something that is coming against us and pushing against us, we can have power over it. The ability to have dominion is at the core of what God has made us to be.
That means, no matter what life throws against you, no matter what life comes against you with, you are made to have dominion. Life can present us with a lot of adversities. People are born with physical limitations; sometimes you are born into deprivation, extreme poverty, or abusive parenting. All kinds of things happen, but because we have been made for dominion, no matter where we are planted, no matter our circumstances in life, God has made us in such a way that we can rise above it.
The reason God created us with the seed of potential is so that we can use the gifts He has given us to rise above every circumstance. Now, knowing that we must have dominion is good, but we have to know how to exercise it. To exercise it, we have to understand that as human beings, we are made of natural and supernatural elements. There is a part of us that is earthly, of the flesh, and natural, and there is a part of us that is from God, spiritual, and very powerful. For those who don't know Christ as Lord, they exercise natural dominion, and they can do that to a very large extent. Those who know Christ as Lord have an additional dimension of dominion, which is spiritual dominion.
So not only do they have power over natural forces, but they also have power over spiritual forces as well. If you only have power over natural forces, you can tame the forces of nature, whether they are on the sea or in the atmosphere. You can tame them, but if you have Christ in you, then you have another dimension of dominion-spiritual dominion over demonic forces and entities.
When we combine these, our power of dominion becomes formidable. To be fruitful, we must understand that wherever God has planted us, we will be fruitful in it; that no matter what comes against us, God has given us the power to rise above it. So much can be thrown against you; so much can be working against you, but you will always come out victorious because that is how God has designed you to be.
Just look at human history and examine the people who have overcome so much adversity. Things that you think should crush them-yet you see people come out of them and excel, whether in sports, science, or some other field. People overcome adversity. God has designed you for dominion, so don't allow any situation to put you down or destroy the potential that God has planted in you.
Let us pray. Say with me: "Heavenly Father, you have given me dominion in life. Help me to walk in victory over every situation. In Jesus' name, amen."