Subdue
The word subdue used in Genesis 1:28 means to bring into subjection or to easily turn someone aside as to prevent harm. This is the power that is in the Blessing of Eden. The Blessing of Eden has built within it, the ability to bring problems under control, whether spiritual, physical, social or financial. For instance, many people teach their children right from wrong, but how many actually train their children to use the Word? Teaching does not always have an immediate effect, but training always does. Teaching your child not to tell lies is difficult, but had you ever thought of training them to deal with the fear and anxiety that makes them feel they must lie? What if you began to train them to defeat the temptation to lie by overcoming the thoughts of punishment with thoughts of mercy? Teaching someone to do something is operating in theory. Theories are uncertainty in the mind of a person. That’s the breeding ground of fear. What works for you may not work for them in theory. Training them to do the same thing is operating in practice. What we practice shapes our character.
Look at Proverbs 22:6:
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (niv)
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
That word – exasperate means to make worse. Just trying to hammer reality into your kids will make them behave worse. They cannot process life from your perspective even though you have the benefit of experience. The element that will help them see it from your perspective is training along with teaching (instruction) as a manner of supporting what you have shown them how to do.
The word train means, to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction. Most people do not attempt this, yet if done properly, you can steer your children clear of the harmful activities being practiced in our society.
You have been given the power to subdue your children and prevent them from harmful actions, if you are willing to train them starting at a young age.
They say “old habits die hard’, but you can also subdue your eating habits and easily begin to lose weight. The fact is, dieting is a $60 billion a year industry. It is a highly successful industry because people repeat the loss-gain cycle over and over again. Diet companies are banking on your inability to gain control over your eating habits on your own. The reality is that permanent, healthy weight loss is hard. The Truth is that dietary control is easy if you begin relying on God’s power instead of your own. You have to make choices almost daily where your diet is concerned until the harmful eating habits are broken. That’s easier said, but it can be done. Jesus said in Mark 11, verse 23’
Mark 11:23
“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (niv)
Speak to your body and have your spouse speak over you also. Come into agreement over that weight problem and that mountain of bad eating habits. Declare that the excess weight will be removed from your body through God’s wisdom and power! Call forth the power to make better eating choices and make them stick. Also begin to thank God that your body will work more efficiently and the result will be better health and weight loss. Maybe your spouse is stronger than you are in the area of food. Have them lay hands on you and pray for you. Have them take authority over those bad habits and cast down the imagination of those harmful foods and the imagination of living overweight. Finally, bind the spirit of obesity and loose that demon from their assignment against you. Ask your spouse not to accuse you if you falter, but support you with faith and patience so that you can receive the inheritance of divine health. This has worked in my house and it will work in yours as well!
The principle will work on anything, including finances. If your financial situation is out of control, then sit down together and release Eden’s blessing over your finances by prayer, fasting and giving of your time if you have nothing else to give. Start planning and budgeting better as best you can. Answer those bills and bill collectors in faith and watch Eden’s blessing evaporate those debts and increase your productivity and profitability until you are debt free and totally financially free forever!
Remember to adhere to the doctrine of tithes and offerings as set forth in scripture (Malachi 3:10, Luke 10:38 and Hebrews 7), since the tithe is the seed of opportunity, productivity, innovation, creativity, invention & insight; and the offering is the seed of supernatural increase. It can be an important part of the subduing process.
Dr. Alverno Devine, excerpted from an article, How To Have Eden’s Blessing in Your Marriage, Expand Your World Magazine.
Living Word Christian Center 