REIGNING BY THE WORD OF DOMINION

“And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed REIGN over us? Or shall you indeed have DOMINION over us?” – Genesis 37:8a

Exercising Dominion is REIGNING BY GOD’S WORD of DOMINION: “And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed REIGN over us? Or shall you indeed have DOMINION over us? So they hated him even more for his dreams, and for HIS WORDS” (Gen.37:8). Joseph caught the Vision of Dominion very early in life through God-given dreams. This became the driving force for the progressive manifestation of his destiny. The inner drive of life-changing dreams and a compelling vision was so strong it even influenced his words: “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mt.12:34). We could blame Joseph for relaying his dreams to his brothers and his parents, thinking he was merely boasting. But Joseph was actually releasing the Word, putting into practice what it means to Reign by the Word of Dominion!

Faith is not fake! What we believe is what we speak: “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak” (2Cor.4:13). Dominion begins in the heart. Joseph received divine dreams which made him to know and believe that he was destined for leadership in life, from the platform of his family. The brothers thought it was about competition. His parents interpreted his words as insubordination: “his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” (v.10). But we know how the unfolding story of glory ended!

Right from the pit to Potiphar’s house to the prison, Joseph reigned by the Word of Dominion. Rather than complain about what was, he declared and lived in alignment with what he believed. While serving Potiphar, Joseph did not carry the mentality of a slave; but “he was a successful man…in the house of his master the Egyptian” (Gen.39:2b). True dominion is about faithful service on the pathway of destiny, while keeping divine Vision in view and purpose alive. Under Potiphar, Joseph knew he was a leader, and he carried himself and the divine presence as such: “And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favour in his sight, and SERVED HIM. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority” (Gen.39: 3-4).

People of dominion know their domain and what they are must exercise dominion over. Dominion is not carnal opportunism; trying to subjugate others or to cunningly use them as stepping stones to the throne. When sexual temptation came through Potiphar’s wife, Joseph rejected the demonic short-cut to easy affluence. Rather, he declared the Word of Dominion over sin: “There is no one greater in this house than I, norr has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen.39:9). Dominion does not cut corners, but walks in purity and truth! Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Our Father-God wants us to reign in life by the Word of Dominion. That’s why, we must hear and listen to the Word, read, study, meditate on, and obey the Word, and consistently declare the Word of Dominion irrespective of circumstances. In prison, Joseph continued the Dominion lifestyle until the Word released and translated him to the Palace: “He sent a man before them – Joseph – who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the WORD of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free” (Psa.107: 17-20). The slave was a sent man. The Word ultimately revealed His Mission and lifted him to the throne!