WALKING IN DOMINION POWER: LIVING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” — Luke 10:19
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INTRODUCTION
The Christian life was never designed to be a life of defeat, oppression, confusion, or spiritual wandering. From the beginning, God’s intention for humanity was dominion. In the book of Genesis, mankind was created and commissioned to rule, subdue, and govern under God’s authority. Though sin temporarily disrupted this divine order, redemption through Jesus Christ fully restored what was lost. Through Christ’s finished work on the cross, believers are not only forgiven but empowered. They are entrusted with dominion power—spiritual authority to live victoriously over sin, fear, demonic oppression, and the lies of the enemy.
Yet, many believers today live far below this divine provision. They accept depression, spiritual heaviness, fear, and confusion as if these are marks of humility or spiritual maturity. Some even mistake ongoing bondage for suffering “for Christ.” This lesson confronts that misunderstanding head-on. God does not glorify oppression; He destroys it. God does not endorse spiritual passivity; He commands spiritual authority. Dominion power is not arrogance—it is obedience to what Christ has already secured.
The message before us is a divine call to awaken. It is a call to reject demonic interference, to refuse spiritual laziness, and to actively walk under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is also a warning against false shepherds, people-pleasing, and neglect of one’s spiritual life. Above all, it is an invitation to live as God intended: grounded, guided, empowered, and fruitful.
This lesson will explore the nature of dominion power, the believer’s responsibility in exercising it, the danger of neglecting spiritual discipline, and the necessity of Holy Spirit guidance. It will challenge complacency and inspire commitment. The goal is not information alone, but transformation—so that believers may become living epistles, walking embodiments of God’s truth and authority in the earth.
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THE ORIGIN AND RESTORATION OF DOMINION POWER
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…” — Genesis 1:26
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Dominion is not a New Testament concept alone; it is embedded in God’s original design. Humanity was created to function under God’s authority while exercising authority over the earth. Dominion was never meant to be domination of people, but stewardship under divine order. When Adam fell, he surrendered spiritual authority, allowing sin and death to reign. However, what was lost in Adam was fully restored in Christ.
Jesus came not only as Savior but as the Second Adam. Through His obedience, death, and resurrection, He reclaimed authority and delegated it to His followers. Dominion power, therefore, is not something believers beg for; it is something they receive and must use. Failure to exercise dominion does not mean the power is absent—it means it is neglected.
When believers allow fear, demonic influence, or the old carnal nature to rule over them, they are not honoring Christ’s work. They are living as if the cross was insufficient. Dominion power demands active participation. It requires believers to rebuke, refute, and refuse anything that contradicts God’s will. This is not optional Christianity; it is foundational Christianity.
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DEMONIC OPPRESSION AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO RESIST
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7
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Scripture is clear that demons exist, and their agenda is destruction. They thrive on fear, doubt, unbelief, and passivity. However, they have no legitimate authority over a believer who is walking in Christ. Their influence persists only when tolerated. Many believers unknowingly host demonic oppression by entertaining lies, listening to condemning voices, or excusing spiritual heaviness as normal.
God makes it clear that believers are not meant to carry demonic baggage. Listening to demonic voices is not spirituality; it is deception. True spirituality is submission to the Holy Spirit. The believer’s responsibility is not to negotiate with darkness but to command it to leave. Hatred for evil is not sin; it is alignment with God’s holiness.
When believers fail to exercise dominion, demons exploit the vacuum. The absence of spiritual authority invites oppression. Therefore, believers must take responsibility. They must actively guard their minds, emotions, and spiritual atmosphere. Dominion power is exercised through faith-filled obedience, not passive hope.
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THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE TRUE SHEPHERD
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” — John 16:13
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God never intended His people to be self-guided. The Holy Spirit was given to lead, direct, teach, and correct. He is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; He is essential. To ignore His guidance is to invite confusion. To substitute His voice with human opinions is to walk blindly.
Believers are likened to sheep, not because they are weak, but because they are designed to be guided. Sheep thrive under the care of a shepherd. Without guidance, they wander into danger. Likewise, believers who do not seek the Spirit’s direction—especially in critical decisions such as church fellowship—place themselves at risk.
Blind leaders produce blind followers. When believers choose churches based on convenience rather than spiritual discernment, they may unknowingly submit to unhealthy spiritual environments. The Holy Spirit must be consulted in all matters. Spiritual life requires intentional care, just as physical life does.
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THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL NEGLIGENCE AND LAZINESS
“Quench not the Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19
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Spiritual negligence is one of the greatest dangers facing believers today. Many diligently care for their physical needs while neglecting their spiritual ones. They eat multiple times a day, take breaks for comfort, and pursue fleshly pleasures, yet rarely pause to worship, meditate on Scripture, or seek God’s presence.
This imbalance leads to spiritual weakness. When the old carnal nature is left unchecked, it suppresses the Spirit’s influence. Dominion power cannot operate where discipline is absent. God holds believers accountable for the spiritual resources they have been given. Neglecting the Seed of Christ within is a form of spiritual deprivation.
God does not desire believers to be spiritual wanderers—directionless and unstable. Neither does He desire them to be spiritually soft, unable to endure the refining fire of His Spirit. Growth requires effort. Maturity requires consistency. Dominion requires diligence.
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PEOPLE-PLEASING VERSUS GOD-PLEASING
“For do I now persuade men, or God?… for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10
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One of the subtle ways believers surrender dominion is through people-pleasing. When the opinions of others take precedence over God’s truth, spiritual authority erodes. People-pleasing invites compromise, fear of rejection, and spiritual emptiness.
Jesus Himself experienced praise followed by condemnation. He never entrusted His identity to human approval. Likewise, believers must anchor their worth in God’s assessment, not public opinion. Seeking validation from the world opens the door to demonic influence because it replaces God’s voice with fluctuating human voices.
Dominion power requires bold obedience. It requires the courage to stand alone if necessary. Pleasing God may cost popularity, but it produces eternal fruit. Pleasing people may offer temporary comfort, but it ends in bitterness and regret.
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WALKING AND LIVING THE TRUTH
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32
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Truth is not merely to be spoken; it is to be lived. God calls believers to be living epistles—visible demonstrations of His truth and power. Hearing truth without walking in it produces deception. Dominion power manifests when believers align their actions with God’s Word.
Spiritual hunger attracts divine revelation. Those who desire godly wisdom receive it abundantly. However, truth demands response. When the Spirit speaks, believers must obey. Delayed obedience weakens authority. Consistent obedience strengthens it.
Believers are not called to mirror the confusion of the world. They are called to reflect God’s standards. As they walk in truth, they shine as lights, demonstrating that victory over darkness is not theoretical—it is practical and attainable.
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SUMMARY
Dominion power is a divine trust given to every believer through Jesus Christ. It is not reserved for a select few, nor is it automatic in manifestation. It must be exercised through faith, obedience, and spiritual discipline. Demonic oppression persists only where authority is neglected. The Holy Spirit is the believer’s guide, and spiritual negligence invites confusion and weakness. God calls His people to reject people-pleasing, walk in truth, and live as empowered representatives of His kingdom.
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CONCLUSION
The Christian life is not meant to be a cycle of defeat and recovery. It is meant to be a journey of growth, authority, and fruitfulness. Dominion power is not about self-exaltation; it is about alignment with God’s will. When believers take responsibility for their spiritual lives, submit to the Holy Spirit, and resist the enemy, they experience the freedom and purpose God intended.
God is not asking for perfection, but He demands participation. The resources of heaven are available, but they must be accessed. The question is not whether dominion power exists, but whether it is being used.
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CALL TO ACTION
Examine your spiritual life honestly. Identify areas where you have tolerated oppression, neglected discipline, or prioritized human approval over divine guidance. Repent where necessary. Commit afresh to seeking the Holy Spirit daily. Exercise your authority in Christ intentionally and consistently. Choose to walk in dominion, not passivity.
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FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
You were not saved to survive; you were saved to overcome. The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells within you. You are not powerless, forgotten, or defeated. As you align yourself with God’s truth and Spirit, you will rise into the fullness of who you were created to be. Walk boldly. Walk obediently. Walk in dominion.
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SALVATION PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I come before You today acknowledging my need for Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that He rose again for my justification. I repent of my sins and turn away from my old life. I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me through the blood of Jesus. Today, I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I surrender my life to You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, guide me in Your truth, and empower me to walk in dominion as You intended. From this day forward, I choose to live for You. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
