Ignorance is causing more problems in the body of Christ than we realize. Little wonder the Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” If we gain the right knowledge about many areas of our lives, the devil automatically loses his power over us in those areas. Sometimes we pray ineffectively because we don’t even know what God’s will is on a particular issue, and this is why it is important to know your spiritual authority.
Take the issue of death, for example. Many Christians believe that God takes people whenever He wants. When someone dies, you often hear people say, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes.” This mindset gives the devil a free hand to operate as he pleases. He knows that if he kills one of your sons or daughters, you will automatically attribute it to God. He is delighted when you focus on the wrong target and miss the real one, instead of learning to unlock your spiritual authority.
I want to say this clearly: many deaths people experience on earth are not from God. This is why Jesus raised the dead and gave His disciples power to do the same.
You also need to understand that, as a child of God, you have the right to decide who dies around you—let alone your family members. In this post, I will share an experience from my prescience study days in Enugu.
For now, know this: you have the right to decide who dies around you. You also have a right over your own life to decide when to die. If a pastor, spiritual father, or mentor understands this principle and works with it, they can help stop members of their flock or family from dying prematurely.
Of course, this power does not cover people who are not under the spiritual covering of that pastor or father—but I won’t go into that now.
The Prescience Study Story
Let me share what happened during our prescience days in school. Prescience classes were organized for people who wanted to bypass JAMB or who had passed JAMB but wanted early entry. If you passed the prescience class, you were admitted into year one at the university without writing JAMB again.
When we joined the prescience class, we stayed in a hostel called Salem. Most evenings, we held fellowships, praying for the welfare of students and for God’s help to pass our examinations. We continued for a while before some stopped, as naturally many people are not inclined toward spiritual things, forgetting that you have power over demons and the devil.
The fellowship also gave us the opportunity to share the Word of God with our fellow students. During these periods, God helped us exercise dominion over demonic activities around the hostel.
We were told that one person must die in that hostel every school year. No one could explain why it happened, but seasoned residents knew it was a recurring pattern.
As children of God and the light of the world, we decided we wouldn’t be afraid. We prayed and decreed that no one would die during our school year.
The Student Who Survived
Then, something remarkable happened. One student received an admission to study abroad—a huge achievement in Nigeria. Studying abroad meant life would be easier and learning more effective, unlike in Nigerian universities where 1,000 students fight for 300 seats.
This student was overjoyed and began celebrating. But wisdom demands careful celebration, especially when you have opportunities many cannot access. This student, however, came to school and threw a big party, showing off to everyone.
Since he had money, he and his friends drank heavily. What he didn’t know was that someone was quietly plotting against him. One student had planned to use a hammer to kill him without anyone realizing.
When most people were drunk, the attacker called the student aside, pretending to share important information. Then he struck him on the head with a hammer. The hammer got stuck, and part of his brains came out. We all thought he was dead. The boys quickly carried him to the hospital, a moment that deeply reminds us to know your kingdom rights.
But we, the believers, remembered our decree that no one would die in the hostel that year. We came together in prayer and declared that he would not die, no matter the injury.
God is a prayer-answering God. Many times we don’t see results because we don’t know our authority as children of God or what we can believe Him to do.
The student survived. Whether he could still travel abroad is another story, but the point is clear: as children of God, we have authority over life and death, and we can exercise it to get results.
Hezekiah: Negotiating Life
Now, let’s see how people in the Bible exercised authority over life and death.
Hezekiah became very sick, and God told him he would die. Many people today, if told they would die, would believe it’s final. They’d start writing their wills, repenting, and arranging their affairs.
But that’s not what happened with Hezekiah. The Bible says he turned to the wall and began negotiating his death with God. God had to send the prophet back to tell him he would live.
If humans did not have a right to make decisions about life and death, God would not have allowed this in the Bible.
Brothers and sisters, you have the right to decide whether you want to die or stay alive. This applies no matter what sickness or challenge you face. Heaven is waiting on your decision if you are a child of God and your ways are right with Him.
Paul: Choosing Life for Purpose
The second example is Paul:
Philippians 1:23-26 (GNT)
[23] I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;
[24] but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive.
[25] I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith,
[26] so that when I am with you again, you will have even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
Paul made a conscious decision whether to die or live. He faced countless near-death situations but chose life until he completed his work.
The lesson is clear: don’t die until you finish your work.
Paul’s confidence in continuing to live for the benefit of others shows how serious this matter is. You can be 100% sure you won’t die prematurely, regardless of what happens around you.
Some religious people may resist this truth, but I write this with confidence because we have tested it—and it works.
I am not dying yet. I will live until I am satisfied with living.
Your Authority Over Death
You have the power over death to decide whether to live or die. This authority also extends to people you influence, such as your family or those under your spiritual covering.
So, the next time the devil tries to take anyone dear to you, and you know it is not their time, stand firm and say: No!
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