The Good Fight Of Faith (Making Dominion A Functional Reality) by Apostle Selman

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

“So then death worketh in us, but life in you.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

There is a relationship between death and glory. It is a mystery in the spirit that the more you die to flesh and your own ambitions, the more you give room for the glory of God to be rested upon your life in higher dimensions.
To “die” does not literally mean physical death, rather that God is enthroned in your life, above every other thing.

The weight of glory that rests upon you, is a function of the degree of death you allow in experience. The more you die, the more you carry the weight of God’s glory.
Every time we come to church, we are “dying”, because God is being enthroned. It is one of the most difficult aspect for a Believer’s journey in Christ.

Every time we come to Church, among the many things God is doing in us, is the pruning of our lives.
Pray: Lord, work upon my life. Let death work in me, that life may work through me. Probe my tendencies, in the name of Jesus Christ!

The more we die, there is a greater weight of glory that responds to this sacrifice. This is the journey of enthroning Christ in our life.
This death is predicated on our yieldedness. Where our death to ‘self’ stops, we peg ourselves at a level of glory.
Pray: Father, let death work in me, that Your Life will be revealed in me, in Jesus name!

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

Many do not know the power of skill. It is a defining factor that separates people into various cadres. Skill is a grace that gives you the ability to do what you do, in an excellent and outstanding manner.
Everywhere skill is seen, honour, value and reward follow it.

The power of skill is a grace that God gives but it can only be enhanced by the study of knowledge.
Most Believers cannot do the much that God designed for them to do, because they are not skillful.

There is skill gotten through academic knowledge, and then there is skill gotten through an engracing by The Holy Spirit. Both can work hand-in-glove.
Skill is not about being competitive; it is about being the most superior version of yourself, as far as dispensing value is concerned.
One way to overcome competitive jealousy is to be skilful and exceptional.

Pray: Lord, I’m tired of a mediocre life. I receive the grace to be exceptional in my life and in my delivery, in the name of Jesus Christ!

SCRIPTURES FOR TODAY’S SERMON
“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.” Deuteronomy 2:24 (KJV)

“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” Obadiah 1:17 (KJV)

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)

For a Believer to excel in the Kingdom, it is important that they have a thorough understanding of certain spiritual realities. Among these realities, is the knowledge of God – the revelation of Who God is.
Your journey to excellence in the spirit, will not happen if you do not have the knowledge of God.

Excelling and walking in dominion practically demands an understanding of certain realities.
Our excelling depends on our revelation of these fundamental areas:
– Who God is
– Who The Son, Jesus Christ is
– Who The Holy Spirit is

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Daniel 11:32 (KJV)
The greatest way to know God, is by studying his nature and character, works, wisdom and power.
The richest way to have an experiential, theological and doctrinal knowledge of God, is by studying His nature and character.
Also, by studying His wisdom and principles and by studying His power and works, these help us know God.

To excel, the Believer must go beyond the knowledge of principles, to the knowledge of God.
Principles only function when demonic spirits do not function.

Core Characteristics of God:
Classically, we call God “The Self-Existent One”.
This means that He does not depend on any entity for His survival.

Other attributes of God include:
1.⁠ ⁠God is Omiscient – He knows all things. His knowledge is not progressive. He does not see in parts. There is no past or future with God; His realm is “NOW”!
2.⁠ ⁠God is omnipotent – He is all-powerful. He does not need anointing; that concept came as a result of his empowering men to be like Him.
3.⁠ ⁠God is omnipresent – He does not need to move to see all things.
4.⁠ ⁠God is Spirit – (John 4:24, Numbers 23:19). This means He is not a man; the weaknesses of men do not apply to him. One of these weaknesses is that men lie; God does not lie!
All the limitations that apply to being a man as a result of wearing a mortal body do not apply to God.
5.⁠ ⁠God is Holy – it is from the Hebrew word “Kadosh”. It means to be set apart. God has integrity – He is the same within as without. (James 1:17) Because God is holy, you can trust Him; He does not change His Word.
6.⁠ ⁠God is Light – Nothing can hide in His presence; there is no part of your life you can hide from Him.
7. God is Love – This is the greatest, most promoted attribute of God. (1 John 4:7-12)

The second foundational knowledge of every Believer is t⁩hat we must know why we were created.
Understanding why we were created reveals our mandate and how we are meant to function on earth.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” – John 17:3 (KJV)

Things that test our knowledge of God (John 17:3):
•⁠ ⁠Our belly
•⁠ ⁠Money

How to know God:
•⁠ The greatest way to know God is by studying His nature and His character.
•⁠ ⁠By studying His Works and principles
– By studying His Power

The greatest attribute of God is that God is Love. (1 John 4:7-12)
The proof that we carry God is love.

Why Did God Create Man?
1.⁠ ⁠We were created as an extension of His nature and hIS government upon the earth.
Man is the highest revelation of God’s nature on earth.
2.⁠ ⁠We were created to know God, because it is in knowing Him that we can have a relationship with Him.
3.⁠ ⁠We were created to love God.
4.⁠ ⁠We were created to worship God.
And now, as Believers, in light of our corporate mandate, we are saved not only to reveal His glory, but also to draw men into the knowledge of Him. (John 1:6-7)

The degree to which you allow yourself to be refined is the degree to which you reveal Christ.

The value of anything you have lies in its ability to become a channel through which others come to know Him.

The value of any endowment or gift we have is to cause men believe in Him – The saving knowledge of God. This means that the value of anything you have is that you cause people through the channel of that gift to believe in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

To fulfill the dominion mandate and live effectively as a witness, you must be aware of or conscious of the provisions made available to the Believer. The Bible calls them “all Spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3).

The Believer is not sent with only the mandate; the Believer is also provided with the resources to aid the fulfillment of the mandate. Sadly, many Believers are only aware of the mandate but lack awareness of the resources.

Foundational Knowledge Every Believer Must Know To Walk in Victory:

1. A thorough understanding of certain spiritual realities. Among these realities is the knowledge of God – the revelation of Who God is.
(Daniel 11:32, John 17:3)
2. We must understand man and why we were created. Understanding why we were created reveals our mandate and function here on earth.
(Genesis 1:26-27)
3. To be aware of the provisions that have been made available in Christ.
There are certain provisions made available for us in Christ to live a life of dominion and victory, which the Bible calls “all spiritual blessings”.
(Ephesians 1:3)
4. We must understand the administration system and the activation protocol for these promises to work.
(Psalm 82:5)

To fulfill the dominion mandate and effectively serve as a witness, it is imperative to know the provisions given to us in Christ. We are not left with the mandate alone; God has also equipped us with exceeding great and precious promises.

How God Equips Us as Believers to Walk in Dominion:
1.⁠ ⁠By giving us access to superior knowledge
2.⁠ ⁠By giving us access to The Holy Spirit, alongside the divine resources that accompany His presence (resources like favour, wisdom, and grace).
3.⁠ ⁠⁠By giving us access to the knowledge of His Promises.

What is The Good Fight of Faith?
The word “Good Fight” as taught by Paul the Apostle automatically implies that there is such a thing as a “bad fight”. (1 Timothy 6:12)

Any kind of contention that does not lead to the revelation of God’s glory, the glorification of Jesus Christ, and to the fulfillment of your destiny is a bad fight.

Every fight motivated by selfishness, flesh, lust, influence of evil spirits is a bad fight.
Conversely, any contention that leads to the revelation of Jesus Christ and the revelation of the same is a good fight.

Any kind of contention that leads to the growth of the Believer and causes the life of God to be made manifest in greater dimensions is a Good Fight.

The fight of faith is how to make the realities that are finished in Christ become functional in your life here and now.

What is a Bad Fight?
•⁠ ⁠A bad fight is any contention that does not lead to the revelation of Jesus Christ and the glorification of the saint.
•⁠ ⁠⁠It is any kind of fight that does not lead to making our world a better place
•⁠ ⁠It is every right motivated by lust, flesh, selfishness, and evil spirit.

What is a Good Fight?
•⁠ ⁠A good fight is any contention that leads to the growth of the Believer and the glorification of the saints.
•⁠ ⁠⁠Any battle that does not have a reward is a bad fight.
•⁠ ⁠A good fight is the contention and overall spiritual process that leads to establishing and manifesting the victory of Christ as a functional, present-day reality in the life of a Believer.
⁠
Pray: From today, I will engage in precision fights only, in Jesus Christ’s Name!

Why The Fight of Faith is Necessary:
1.⁠ ⁠Because there is the legal side of redemption as described by E.W kenyon which talks about realities that are finished in Christ but not inputted automatically in the life of the Believer, while the vital side of redemption talks about the dynamics of making those realities manifest.
Healings, salvation and blessings of all sorts are finished in Christ but may not necessarily be made manifest in your life without faith and engaging the mysteries of the kingdom.

2.⁠ ⁠Satan and all demonic forces are stubborn and rebellious spirits. He is more aware than you of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, because he was the principal victim of what Jesus did. As such, he will not let you go, hence the need for a good fight of faith.

No one is born transformed. Transformation is one of the labour dimensions of faith. It takes hard work, and nobody receives the gift of transformation.

Transformation does not mean a total erasing of the information in your mind; rather, it is an editing of files that do not align with God’s Word and plans for your life.

Six Aspects To The Fight Of Faith:

1.⁠ ⁠The contention for accuracy of thoughts, ideas, and belief systems (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
The journey of transformation is a fight; it is real warfare. Because it’s a battle against ancient thoughts that have been passed down for generations. The real warfare here is the warfare of replacing thoughts and belief systems. Before Satan attacks, he sends a mindset.
2.⁠ ⁠The labour of establishing spiritual realities, through words, in prayer (Matthew 12:37, Isaiah 43:26, 41:21)
This is using faith-filled declarations to program your victory. You cannot separate dominion from words/speakings. When you stay in the place of prayer, it is a fight of faith.
3.⁠ ⁠The labour and the contention to walk consistently and perpetually in obedience. (Isaiah 1:19, 2 Corinthians 10:6)
Obedience is painful, it is warfare! Obedience is expensive, and can be discouraging. There are times obedience leads to loneliness; it makes you controversial and even confused, but the profit of obedience cannot be quantified. If you have not faced the pain of obedience, then you have not really obeyed God.
4.⁠ ⁠Contending against demonic spirits and satanic infrastructures (James 4:7, Ephesians 6:12)
Spirits and demons are real, and our contention is beyond the human realm. The Believer who ignores the realities and the presence of satan may have his or her destiny as the price to pay for that ignorance.
5.⁠ ⁠The patience and the persistence of faith, i.e. waiting in hope until your promise manifests (Hebrews 6:12, 15, Romans 8:25)
Fighting does not only mean motion, it means stamina. The difference between waiting in faith and hope, and just waiting, is that you’re waiting on what God has said, as against waiting just by your imagination. Patience births maturity.
6. The wisdom to navigate the complexities that exist in the world of men.

If God gave you a foundation of godly parents, even if not enlightened, be thankful! Every contribution that came towards helping your transformation journey should be appreciated.

However, you must not stop there! There are things in your mind that are limiting beliefs and will hinder the manifestation of the destiny God intends for you.

Victory is a mindset before an achievement. A loser’s mentality cannot produce a victor’s destiny.

Being transformed by superior knowledge does not mean westernized information.

It refers to the degree of the compliance of your thoughts to God’s Word, not just a technological compliance of your thoughts, especially if they do not align with God’s Word.

“Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.” Isaiah 41:21 (KJV)

When it has to do with your destiny and the fulfillment of prophecy, you must put on the regalia of a fighter.
Things will not change because you want them to change; they will change because you prayed for them to change.

“When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
John 11:4 (KJV)

One of the major reasons why Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead was because he had earlier spoken about Lazarus’ situation, noting that the sickness was not unto death. He had to defend His word!

Declare: I am Victorious In Jesus Christ’s name!

Speak over your finances, your ministry, and your life. This is the fight of faith, a contention for accuracy, precision, and the superiority of your belief systems.

The fight of faith requires a dimension of obedience to God that persists, whether it is immediately profitable or not.

We live in a world where, when righteousness does not produce immediate short-term profit, believers get offended.

There is a relationship between the consistency of obedience and dominion.

To fulfill the mission of dominion and effectively serve as a witness, it is imperative to know the provisions given to us in Christ.

We are not left with the mandate alone; God has also equipped us with exceeding great and precious promises.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (KJV)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Do not fear Satan, but do not take him for granted; he is a vicious and determined spirit.

The difference between waiting in hope and faith, and waiting in vain is that The Word of God does not back the waiting-in-vain process.
Impatience will always give birth to the child (an opposition) that fights your promise. Every time you refuse to wait for your Isaac, you end up giving birth to Ishmael, who fights your Isaac (something that will fight against the very blessing you are meant to receive)!

Wait for the marriage patiently!
Wait for the job patiently!
Wait for the child patiently!
The visa is in your destiny, but wait!
Wait on God patiently!

Impatience will always give birth to the child (opposition) who will fight your promises.
Do not hurry seasons.

Many things you are fighting to get through impatience will one day still be your reality!
Do not fight your waiting seasons! And do not hurry your waiting seasons!

Sometimes when God shows you something far, and you are not yet there, it usually seems as though you are not moving, but you are!
Fight the good fight of faith; wait with patience and perseverance. The waiting period in a man’s life is one of the greatest proofs of faith.
When God is silent, His silence is a voice. His silence means “trust me, I am still in control”.

One of the major elements that makes a Believer mature is patience. You may feel qualified for the next level, but it is God who qualifies men. If God says wait, please wait!
While waiting, keep praying, give thanks, be an observer and a learner; learn from others’ pasts and mistakes, and also, sow into the lives of others.
Do not waste your waiting days!

Sometimes, when God keeps you, it is His loving hand because a red carpet is being prepared for you.
There are consequences to choosing your own way and neglecting the voice and leading of God. Such an individual will end up in “muddy waters”.

It is possible to win the war against spirits and inferior thoughts, and still lose the fight of faith because of failure to win the war of navigating certain complexities in the world of men.
In the world of men, you do not fight all men. Some people are gatekeepers, though not Believers. As much as possible, avoid battles with such people.
Sometimes a simple “I am sorry” averts certain fights. Saying “I am sorry” isn’t always about admitting wrong; it can be an act of wisdom, a way to foster peace and understanding.

There are principles that govern spiritual things. One of these principles is the wisdom to navigate the world of men.
There are certain people who are difficult to deal with, and yet one endorsement from them can change your life. One key to dealing with such people is adaptation.

It takes vision to start, it takes discipline to continue, but for anyone who finishes, it is the mercy of God that escorts you to the finish line.
It takes vision to start, it takes discipline to continue, and it takes mercy to finish.

Conclusively, when Paul said “I have fought the good fight of faith” in 2 Timothy 4:7, he meant that he had taken advantage of The Word of God, he had engaged in prayer, establishing spiritual realities, he had paid the price of obedience, he had stayed in unfavourable conditions until things changed and finally he had received the wisdom to work effectively with others.

Mention all the areas of your life and contend for the grace to fight the good fight of faith!
Decree and declare that every thought, spirit, habit, and belief system that is stopping you from accessing The Word of God, and stopping the realities available in Christ to be a reality in your life, be cancelled and nullified, in the name of Jesus Christ!

Pray: Father, move my destiny forward and advance my life.
Lead me to go forward strategically and consistently, so I may walk in dominion, in the name of Jesus Christ!

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I declare that every attack on your destiny, every gang up of hell, and every spirit that has assigned in this year 2026, to fight you, to oppose God’s Word, prophecy, your integrity, your joy, or your faith is rendered powerless, in the name of Jesus. Because of your connection to Christ, I pray for you from the depths of my heart: I declare that the battle is over now! That battle is over! You are victorious, in the name of Jesus Christ!

“He makes wars to cease” (Psalm 46:9), by the power of the Holy Spirit, no matter how long that battle has persisted, whether against thoughts, spirits, or forces seeking to keep you in disobedience, victory is established over your life now!

Therefore, I speak over your life: Go forward!
Make progress, Advance!
Financially, advance!
Spiritually, advance!
Maritally, advance!
Relationally, advance!
Career-wise, advance, in the name of Jesus!

In the name of Jesus Christ, I forbid you from going up and down! You will go up and stay up! Any person who digs a pit for your destiny this week shall fall into it themselves!

Every spirit assigned to manipulate your destiny, through dreams, visions, or attempts to influence or manipulate your mind, making you behave in a way that stops dominion from being revealed through your life, I declare, the influence of those spirits over your destiny ends now!

I release over you the grace to walk in obedience!
I release the grace to have dominion consciousness, receive it in Jesus name!
Wave your hands and give Jesus praise!

I speak over your life, your week is blessed in the name of Jesus Christ!
From this Sunday to the next, you will walk in blessings.

You are walking in wisdom!
You are walking in power!
You are walking in victory!
You are walking in favour!

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord has released His power upon you, and He will make a way for you. Good things will happen to you this week. In the name of Jesus Christ, you will reap with laughter, dance, and you will rejoice in the Lord!

I declare again: you will reap with laughter, you will dance, and you will rejoice in the Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

This week, doors will open for you!
What seemed delayed will be settled within days!
The Lord will protect you!
The Lord will defend you!

The works of your hands are blessed this week. Your mind is blessed this week. God will order your steps. There will be no confusion in your life this week.

In the name of Jesus Christ, you will begin to see visible results!
God will speak to you clearly!
Help will arise for you, timely and permanent help!

I declare: In moments of uncertainty, God will show you exactly what to do for your next season.
As you move by air, you are blessed!
As you move by road, you are blessed!
As you move by sea, you are blessed!
Wherever you step, you carry the blessing!

The Lord will be with you. His presence will never depart from you!
You are accepted!
You are favored!
You are lifted!

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)

Jesus is calling you into a life of purpose, peace, and eternal hope. If you desire a fresh start and a relationship with God, respond in faith and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour today.

“As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12 (KJV)

Congratulations on your decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! This is the beginning of a new and glorious journey.

Kindly reach out to us:
https://bit.ly/JESUSINMYHEART
or email: [email protected]

We are here to support your walk with God.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21 (KJV)

Thank you for worshipping with us today. We pray that the Word you received will produce lasting fruit and that your encounters today will remain evident in your life.
We look forward to seeing you next Sunday for the March Miracle Service. God bless you!

Audio Message For The Good Fight of Faith by AJS