“Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” – Genesis 1:26
Bible Verses About Dominion
The Creation of Dominion
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and part of His marvelous design was the establishment of dominion for mankind. As we reflect on Genesis 1:26, we see that God entrusted us with the responsibility to govern and care for creation. This is not an authority to exploit but rather a divine calling to steward everything that He made. We are meant to act as caretakers, cherishing and protecting the world while exercising our God-given dominion. When we recognize our role in this creation, we become more aligned with God’s purpose for our lives. Our dominion represents a partnership, a relationship with the Creator that invites us to reflect His character as we nurture the earth and all its inhabitants.
Genesis 1:26
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'” – Genesis 1:26
Psalms 8:6
“You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” – Psalms 8:6
Genesis 1:28
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'” – Genesis 1:28
Psalms 115:16
“The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” – Psalms 115:16
Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16
Dominion in Christ
When we embrace our identity in Christ, we experience another profound aspect of dominion. In Christ, we are not only recipients of grace but also part of His Kingdom. Understanding that we possess dominion means recognizing that we have authority over sin and the darkness that confronts us in life. As Christ’s followers, we are empowered to overcome challenges and obstacles. Our dominion is not about power over others but about reigning in love, showing compassion, and shining the light of Christ wherever we go. It allows us to act boldly, knowing that we are royalty in God’s family and that we can make a difference in the world. Through Him, our dominion is made perfect.
Romans 5:17
“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:17
Revelation 5:10
“And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” – Revelation 5:10
Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” – Luke 10:19
Ephesians 2:6
“And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57
Responsibility of Dominion
With the gift of dominion comes great responsibility. We are called to manage, care for, and protect the resources, people, and creation that God has placed in our hands. This means making wise and loving choices that reflect our commitment to Him in all areas of our lives. Our dominion should serve the greater good and honor God. God’s creation is beautiful and needs our stewardship. Our responsibility includes serving others, being good stewards of our environment, embracing justice, and sharing God’s love with those around us. We should approach our dominion with humility and a sense of accountability, knowing that we will give an account for how we have treated what has been entrusted to us.
Luke 12:48
“But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” – Luke 12:48
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Genesis 2:15
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
Matthew 25:23
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'” – Matthew 25:23
Prayer and Dominion
Prayer is a vital part of exercising our dominion. When we bring our requests and concerns to God, we align ourselves with His will and power. We can boldly approach the throne of grace, praying for wisdom, guidance, and strength to exercise our dominion responsibly. Through prayer, we tap into the resources available from heaven. Our prayers invite God’s authority and intervention in situations where we may feel powerless or weak. When we pray, we can claim victory over our circumstances and the enemy that seeks to disturb our dominion. Through communicating with God, we become more aware of our role in His creation, ready and willing to make a real difference.
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
James 5:16
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16
Ephesians 6:18
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
1 John 5:14
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14
The Power of Faith in Dominion
Faith plays an essential role in our dominion. As we trust in God and lean on His promises, we are empowered to act in faith and authority. Faith reminds us that we are not alone; God is with us every step of the way. When we walk by faith, we look beyond our circumstances and see the possibilities that God has laid before us. It is in faith that we can speak life into situations and transformations can occur. Our trust in God brings the boldness to take risks and make decisions reflecting His love and truth. The stories of faith throughout the Bible inspire us to embrace our dominion with courage and perseverance, knowing that in our faith, we hold the key to unlock the potential that God has given us.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Matthew 17:20
“He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'” – Matthew 17:20
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17
James 1:6
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
Living Out Our Dominion
Living out our dominion means actively participating in God’s plan for restoration and renewal in the world. We are called to be agents of change, bringing hope, love, and grace into our communities and relationships. Our actions reflect our obedience to God’s commands and our desire to fulfill His purpose. This includes showing kindness, helping those in need, and walking alongside the vulnerable. By living out our dominion, we reflect God’s character and love towards everyone we encounter. In our daily lives, we can make choices that align with His heart and will, which in turn influences those around us. Each act of love, kindness, and goodness we display is a testament to the dominion He has granted us and the faith we carry in our hearts.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Matthew 25:40
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” – Matthew 25:40
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
Final Thoughts
As we explore the importance of dominion in our lives, we discover its roots in creation, faith, and our identity in Christ. We have been entrusted with a significant role as stewards of God’s creation. With opportunities to exercise our dominion, we can impact our world positively. Our dominion empowers us but calls us to responsibility and love. As we pray, act, and live out our faith with courage, we shine God’s light. May we always honor the dominion entrusted to us and fulfill our purpose with joy and commitment.
We are encouraged to practically apply these principles in our daily lives, remembering that our actions reflect our relationship with God. For more insights, you might find it helpful to explore topics on bible verses about kings or dive into bible verses about authority over the enemy.