Jesus teaches us how to exercise dominion.
Kingdom dominion!
What?!
Do we even have dominion?
Yesterday, I was reading Matthew 28 (the very few last verses of the last chapter of Matthew) where Jesus commissions us to go out and do the unthinkable. I read a note there that I scribbled way back: Jesus has all the power (authority) and He gave us delegated authority and jurisdiction to overcome our obstacles in this world.
But that is not true!
We did not receive delegated power and authority. We received inherited power and authority. There is such a difference!
Also, He never delegated His power and authority. Instead, He promised never to leave nor forsake us because His Spirit lives right inside of us - inherited power and authority inside. (I posted a three-part series about this back in 2014, Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3)
Dominion
Dominion is the power that we have, the authority, control, the charge and supremacy that we have over a given situation, a circumstance or force of whatever kind.
We get an understanding of what it is to exercise dominion from the account of the centurion’s request for Jesus to heal his servant in Luke 7:1-10 (or Matthew 8:5-13). In verse 8 the centurion understood dominion to be I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].
Authority is given (set).
Authority then is enforced.
Whenever authority is enforced, it is then executed.
But, it is not automatic. Even though we have it, we still have to use it.
Like having something, but not using it
Like having a box of matches … you still have to open the box, grab hold of one and strike it before you get the benefit of fire.
And of course, the forces of darkness would rather not have us use it. Much rather, a lot of effort would be made to prohibit the holder of such to use it or to realise that he or she can or may use it, especially if the continuation of such darkness must be maintained.
Just before ascending Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.[Mat 28:18-20 KJV]
I am sometimes perplexed at our ignorance over the words of Jesus
Is He not our Teacher and does He not, as our Teacher live right inside us, reminding us of all He taught and said when He walked this earth, even showing us new things and things to come?
Do we hear His Voice?
Yet, we marinate in our man-made doctrine and religious Babylonian unbelief, mixing up Truth and law.
Let's look at what Jesus says about taking dominion soon after He had cursed the fig tree. [I will be expounding straight from the original Greek in brackets (Strongs)]
We'll specifically look at the words Jesus uses for say, forgive and mountain.
Mountain?
Mountain as the very object that should be addressed (to take dominion over) and in what manner.
Every word of the Word is important
Jesus says in Mark 11:23-25 verily I say [legō - affirm, teach, advise] unto you, That whosoever shall say [epō - A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense denoting to speak or say (by word or writing): - answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell] unto this mountain [oros - a mountain (anything lifting itself above the plain)], be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith [epō - the definite past tense again to speak or say (by word or writing): - answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell].
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive [aphiēmi - an intensive form of the Greek word εἶμι or eimi (to go), to send away, send forth, disregard, command to leave, order to go to another place], if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive [aphiēmi] you your trespasses.
Paraptōma
And what are these trespasses?
Trespasses is the Greek word paraptōma which means anything that rises and deviates from the truth, any sin or sickness or situation or offence that defies who you are in the Truth (Christ).
Send away your paraptōma!
Remember this post on how to pray?
We need to hear again
As if this is not enough, the above teaching by Jesus is repeated in the Gospel of Matthew (Mat 17:20 & 21:22) where the exact same words are used for say, forgive and mountain.
Can you hear His Voice?
It makes you want to read and read again and just be built up in your inner being to speak to that mountain …
Different words have different meaning
We have already looked at the different words Jesus used for praying and asking here and here and here. These words are profound in their meaning and application and they have changed my perspective and my approach on life dramatically.
Words have meaning and power. And like the wise Solomon explained, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words [Proverbs 18:21 AMP], the words that we use, ought to be used discerningly.
Discern your authority …
And use it!