The Kingdom of God: Walking in Dominion and Learning the Art of War

In the Scriptures, the Kingdom of God is not just a theological concept; it’s a practical reality with profound implications for how we live, think, and interact with the world around us.

The Greek word for “kingdom,” βασιλεία (basileía), provides deep insight into the nature of this kingdom. It signifies dominion, authority, and rule, rooted in the idea of a king’s power rather than just a physical territory itself. This dominion is meant to be lived out, not merely understood. Throughout the Old Testament, we see a recurring theme of God giving His people both authority and the responsibility to actively take hold of it—especially through the art of warfare.

Etymology of “Basileía” and the Art of Dominion

The Greek word basileía (βασιλεία) comes from basileús (βασιλεύς), meaning “king” or “ruler.” While basilea is usually translated as “kingdom” it would serve us better to translate it with the word “dominion,” meaning where one is “dominating.”

These words don’t just describe a kingdom as a geographical region, but rather the reign, control, and authority of a king. It’s about the ruling influence of a king’s power, wherever that might extend.

Both “basilea” (dominion) and “basileus (king) have the word basis (βάσις) as their root. This Greek word refers to a “foot,” “footstep,” or “sole of the foot,” and by extension, a foundation or that which provides stability.

This gives us the image of standing firmly in one’s authority.

It conveys the idea of something that one stands on or the act of stepping or walking. In a broader sense, “basis” can represent a starting point, a firm foundation, or the fundamental principles upon which something is built or established. The term is often associated with actions such as stepping or setting one’s foot down, signifying movement, support, or establishing a firm position.

This ties beautifully into the idea presented in the Bible: God’s kingdom is the domain over which His rule extends, and He has given humanity the authority to walk in that dominion.

Interestingly, this concept of dominion and authority finds linguistic continuity in the Western Germanic languages. The Dutch word baas, meaning “master” and its English descendant boss, reflect this idea of being in charge, ruling, and exercising control.

In essence, whether in the ancient Greek or modern English, the concept of basileía as a kingdom is deeply tied to the exercise of dominion.

Walking in the Kingdom: “Wherever You Place the Sole of Your Foot”

This idea of dominion is echoed throughout the Old Testament, where God consistently promises His people that wherever they place the sole of their foot, He has given them the land. In Joshua 1:3, God declares to Joshua,

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.”

Here, God makes it clear that His people must actively step into the land, asserting their dominion by walking in the authority He has given them.

This divine promise underscores a key principle about God’s kingdom: it’s not a passive inheritance, but one that must be actively walked out. The authority is given, but it must be claimed through action. In the spiritual sense, this principle still applies today: God has given us dominion, but we must step into it by faith, walking in the authority He has provided.

The language of Joshua 1 echoes the very idea of basileía. The kingdom, or dominion, is established wherever the believer steps out in faith. The land doesn’t come into possession simply by observing from afar; it requires placing one’s foot upon it, a conscious action of faith and obedience.

The Sandal Exchange in Ruth: Surrendering the Right to Walk in Dominion

A powerful illustration of the connection between dominion and walking in authority is found in the book of Ruth. In Ruth 4:7-8, we see a legal custom that symbolized the transfer of rights through the exchange of a shoe.

Boaz, desiring to redeem Naomi’s land and marry Ruth, first had to gain the legal right from the closer relative, who had a prior legal claim. This relative formally renounced his right by handing his sandal to Boaz, as recorded in Ruth 4:7-8:

“Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. So when the redeemer said to Boaz, ‘Buy it for yourself,’ he drew off his sandal.”

This exchange of the sandal was a symbolic act, demonstrating that the closer relative surrendered his right to walk on the land and claim it as his own. By removing his shoe, he transferred the authority and dominion to Boaz, who would now possess both the land and the right to marry Ruth.

This custom ties directly to the biblical theme of walking in dominion or as we have usually put it, walking in the kingdom. The handing over of a sandal represented a renunciation of the right to tread on the land, and this links with the broader biblical understanding that walking is a metaphor for exercising authority.

By giving up his sandal, the redeemer signalled his withdrawal from the territory, allowing Boaz to take up his rightful claim.

The Shoes of Salvation: Linking to Ephesians 6

The concept of dominion through walking extends into the New Testament, particularly in the Armor of God described in Ephesians 6. In verse 15, Paul instructs believers to have their feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace:

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

The imagery of the shoes of the gospel of peace conveys the idea that we are not merely passive recipients of “peace,” rather, we are called to actively engage in spiritual warfare to secure it as we journey through life.

However, it is crucial to clarify that “the gospel of peace” does not refer to a vague, feel-good notion often associated with hippie ideals. Instead, the Hebrew word for peace, shalom (שָׁלוֹם), derives from the root shalam (שָׁלַם), which encompasses a much deeper meaning: wholeness, completeness, safety, good, restoration—signifying that nothing is missing and nothing is broken.

Here, the shoes of the gospel symbolize the readiness to walk in the authority that Christ has given us and restore God’s rule and influence on earth.

Just as Boaz received the sandal to claim his dominion, believers are called to walk in the salvation by taking the shoes of the gospel of restoration and authority granted to them through Christ. The imagery of shoes in Ephesians reflects a preparedness to take territory and bring it under the control of the Kingdom of God.

This richness of shalom highlights that the gospel of peace represents far more than mere a mere Buddhistic disassociation with reality. It embodies the good news that actively establishes wholeness and restoration for broken and dysfunctional lives once lived in despair.

This gospel of peace is not zen like nonchalance, but proactive enforcement of Kingdom control that signifies a complete restoration in every aspect of our lives.

The New Testament Greek term for peace, εἰρήνη (eirēnē) also meaning “to be well,” aligns closely with this concept. Eirēnē emphasizes well-being, harmony, and the absence of lack. It mirrors the Hebrew shalom in its scope, conveying a sense of wholeness that should be integral to the believer’s experience of life.

This understanding transforms the way we approach our faith. The gospel of peace is not merely an abstract idea; it is a robust call to action that challenges believers to not only receive peace but to actively walk in it.

This call to action is a call to spiritual warfare.

By doing so, we promote wholeness in our own lives and extend that restoration to the lives of others. We are equipped, through our understanding of this peace, to confront the challenges of the world, knowing that we carry with us the authority and power granted by Christ.

In embracing the gospel of peace, we recognize our role in a larger narrative—one that compels us to be agents of restoration and healing, reflecting God’s original design for humanity.

The shoes of the gospel equip us to walk confidently into the world, sharing the transformative message of peace and wholeness that can only be found in Christ. Thus, the gospel of peace (restoration of paradise) serves as both our foundation and our marching orders in the quest for wholeness and restoration in a broken world.

Conflict as a Gateway to Promise: Spiritual Warfare

Scripture makes clear that the fulfilment of God’s promises lies on the other side of spiritual warfare. Throughout the Bible, we see that victory and the inheritance of God’s blessings require us to engage in battle. The Israelites had to confront the Canaanites to claim their Promised Land, and even though God promised them victory, they had to get into the fight (Joshua 1:3-5).

Similarly, we are called to engage in spiritual warfare to lay hold of the promises that God has for us. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

The battles we face are not merely physical or circumstantial; they are spiritual, and the victory comes through standing firm in faith, prayer, and the authority of Christ.

The truth is, what we desire—whether it’s breakthrough, healing, or the fulfilment of God’s purpose in our lives—often lies beyond the conflict, on the other side of spiritual warfare. God equips us with His armour and promises us victory, but we must still engage. As James 4:7 says,

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Victory comes through resistance and standing strong in the Word of God.

Enemies Left in the Land: A Lesson in Warfare

In Judges 3:1-2, the Bible reveals a profound lesson in spiritual warfare through a historical event:

“These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan. He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience.”

God left enemies in the land to train a new generation in warfare, showing that while they were given authority to establish dominion, they had to engage and fight to take full possession.

This idea directly connects to Ephesians 6:12, where Paul writes,

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Here, we see that just as Israel’s enemies symbolized forces standing in the way of their inheritance, these historical enemies point to the spiritual forces opposing believers today. God’s intention is not only to give us victory but also to teach us how to fight, enforcing His rule through spiritual warfare.

In both contexts, the concept of “βάσις” (basis), strong’s G939, refers to a “foot” or “footstep” and by extension, a foundation or that which provides stability. It conveys the idea of something that one stands on or the act of stepping or walking. In a broader sense, “basis” can represent a starting point, a firm foundation, or the fundamental principles upon which something is built or established. The term is often associated with actions such as stepping or setting one’s foot down, signifying movement, support, or establishing a firm position.

meaning foundation or footstep, fits perfectly. It suggests that our battles, whether physical in the Old Testament or spiritual today, provide a foundational experience—training us in how to stand firm and move forward in our authority. We are given a basis in Christ, but like the Israelites, we must step out, engage in the battle, and learn how to enforce that authority.

The command to stand is found repeatedly throughout Scripture, emphasizing its importance in spiritual battles:

• In Exodus 14:14, when the Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea, Moses tells them, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Other translations render this as stand firm).
• In 2 Chronicles 20:17, during King Jehoshaphat’s battle, the Lord declares, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf…”
• In Ephesians 6:13-14, Paul writes, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…”

Just as the Israelites had to fight to possess the land, we must take up the weapons of our warfare—prayer, fasting, and unwavering faith—to conquer the spiritual enemies that oppose God’s kingdom. Through opposition, God teaches us the strategy, perseverance, and spiritual strength needed to advance His kingdom on earth.

The Battle for Dominion: Joshua’s Challenge to a Passive Generation

Later in the book of Joshua, we see a striking rebuke directed toward the Israelites for their complacency. In Joshua 18:3, Joshua says to the people,

“How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?”

This question is not just about physical territory but also about the spiritual realities of walking in dominion.

The land had already been given, but the people needed to take action and engage the process of possession. Similarly, as believers, we can easily become passive, waiting for God to act when He’s already given us the authority to step out and claim His promises. The kingdom of God is something we walk in, not merely wait for. Basileía, in this sense, is wherever we place our feet, declaring that God’s rule is in effect.

The Kingdom of God Today: Walking in Authority

The promises of God are still alive and active today, and the principle of walking in dominion remains central to our Christian faith. Jesus, in the New Testament, reiterates this idea when He declares, “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). The kingdom is not something distant; it’s a present reality for those who will walk in its authority.

Paul reinforces this in 2 Corinthians 1:20:

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.”

God’s promises are secure, but we must step into them, just as the Israelites had to physically enter the land and battle their enemies to take possession of it.

Jesus’ call to “seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) is a reminder that God’s rule must be actively pursued. It’s not enough to hope for victory; we must walk in faith, placing our feet firmly on the promises of God. The Kingdom of God is wherever we actively step out, declaring His dominion through faith-filled action.

Conclusion: The Kingdom as Dominion Through Action

The Kingdom of God, basileía, is about more than just spiritual truths—it’s about actively walking in God’s authority. From the Old Testament to the New, God has always invited His people to step into their inheritance by faith. Just as the Israelites had to conquer the land and learn the art of war, we too must learn to engage in spiritual warfare to fully realize the promises of God.

In every generation, God leaves challenges for us to overcome, not to frustrate us but to teach us to walk in our authority. The kingdom is within us, but we must claim it by stepping out in faith. Wherever we place the sole of our feet, God gives us dominion. The challenge is to rise from complacency and take possession of the spiritual territory that is rightfully ours in Christ. The Kingdom of God is here—now it’s up to us to walk in it., we too must learn to engage in spiritual warfare