Not Having Dominion Over Another Believer’s Faith: Offering Grace, Space, and Encouragement Instead

 🩷Not Having Dominion Over Another Believer’s Faith: Offering Grace, Space, and Encouragement Instead💜

One of the most freeing truths in Paul’s epistles is that no believer has dominion over another believer’s faith. Spiritual growth is not enforced from the outside; it is produced from the inside by the Word of God working effectually in those who believe.

Paul writes plainly:

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” — 2 Corinthians 1:24

This verse is a gentle reminder that even an apostle—given direct revelation from the risen Christ—did not claim authority to control another believer’s spiritual walk. If Paul refused to dominate the faith of others, then certainly we, as fellow members of the Body of Christ, must walk in the same humility and grace.

What It Means to Have Dominion Over Someone’s Faith

When Paul says,  

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith…” — 2 Corinthians 1:24

he is describing something very specific: the misuse of spiritual influence.

To have dominion over another believer’s faith means to:

- rule over their conscience  

- control their spiritual decisions  

- pressure them into conformity  

- demand obedience to one’s own convictions  

- act as if spiritual authority flows through a person rather than through the Word of God  

It is the posture of lording over, rather than laboring with.

In the dispensation of grace, this kind of dominion is completely out of place. Paul—an apostle with direct revelation from the risen Christ—refused to exercise it. If he would not dominate another believer’s faith, no one else has the right to do so.

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Why Dominion Has No Place in the Body of Christ

1. Because Christ is their Head, not us

In this dispensation of grace, every believer is complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). They are taught by the Spirit through the Scriptures, not governed by another person’s preferences, pace, or personality.

• Because faith grows by persuasion, not pressure:

Paul never forced growth. He reasoned, taught, explained, and encouraged. Faith is strengthened when the believer becomes personally persuaded by the Word rightly divided (Romans 14:5).

• Because each believer stands before the Lord: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12

We can support, teach, and encourage—but we cannot take the place of the Lord in someone’s conscience.

2. Faith Must Be Personally Persuaded

Paul emphasizes:

 “…let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” — Romans 14:5

Faith cannot be borrowed, forced, or imposed.  

It grows through understanding, not intimidation.

3. Each Believer Stands Before God Individually

 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12

If each believer answers to God, then no believer has the right to act as judge, master, or spiritual controller over another.

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What Dominion Looks Like in Practice

Dominion can show up subtly:

- insisting others adopt your convictions  

- correcting with harshness instead of grace  

- treating differences as rebellion  

- expecting spiritual maturity on your timeline  

- using Scripture as a weapon rather than a tool for edification  

- shaming someone for where they are in their growth  

-publicly shaming someone for a behavioral mistake or doctrinal error instead of going to them privately first

These behaviors create fear, insecurity, and confusion—none of which belong to grace.

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Paul’s Alternative: Helpers of Your Joy

Paul gives the contrast in the same verse:

“…but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” — 2 Corinthians 1:24

Instead of dominion, Paul chose:

- joy over pressure  

- persuasion over control  

- teaching over demanding  

- patience over policing  

- grace over guilt  

He didn’t stand over believers—he stood with them.

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How to Offer Grace and Encouragement Instead

1. Teach with Patience and Clarity

Paul told Timothy to instruct “in meekness” (2 Timothy 2:25).  

Grace teaching is firm in truth but gentle in tone.

2. Respect Their Pace of Growth | Every Believer Is at a Different Place in the Edification Process

One of the most important reasons we cannot have dominion over another believer’s faith is that every member of the Body of Christ grows through a God‑designed edification process. Paul lays out this process in his epistles, beginning with Romans and building upward into deeper truths.

A. Romans: Foundational Grace Doctrine

Most believers—whether newly saved or newly introduced to right division—are still being established in the foundational truths of Romans. This is where Paul lays the groundwork for the entire Christian life:

- Romans 1–5: Justification by grace through faith  

- Romans 6–8: Identification with Christ and walking in newness of life  

- Romans 9–11: Dispensational understanding of Israel and the Body of Christ  

- Romans 12–16: Practical grace living  

Paul calls this establishment:

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel…” — Romans 16:25

A believer who is still learning these truths is not “behind”—they are exactly where God begins His work of spiritual growth.

B. Ephesians: The Advanced Doctrine of Our Calling

Some believers have moved beyond the foundational truths of Romans and are now learning the “higher ground” of Ephesians:

- their heavenly position in Christ  

- the mystery revealed to Paul  

- the unity of the Body  

- the eternal purpose of God  

- the riches of His grace toward us  

Ephesians is not “better” than Romans—it is built upon Romans. You cannot skip the foundation and expect the structure to stand.

C. Philippians, Colossians, and the Pastoral Epistles: Mature Application

A smaller number of believers have progressed into the maturity epistles, where Paul teaches:

- the mind of Christ (Philippians)  

- the preeminence of Christ (Colossians)  

- the order and function of ministry (1–2 Timothy, Titus)  

These doctrines require the believer to already be grounded in Romans and Ephesians.

D. Why This Matters for Grace-Based Ministry

Because believers are at different stages:

- some are learning what salvation is  

- some are learning who they are in Christ  

- some are learning how to walk in that identity  

- some are learning how to minister to others  

Trying to force someone into Ephesians when they are still trying to understand Romans is a form of dominion. It pressures them to grow faster than their understanding allows.

Grace never rushes.  

Grace never shames.  

Grace never demands maturity on command.

Grace recognizes the stage a believer is in and meets them there with patience, clarity, and encouragement.

3. Encourage Their Progress, Not Their Perfection

Remind them:

- God is patient  

- They are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)  

- The Spirit works effectually as they believe the Word  

- Growth is a process, not a performance  

4. Point Them to Scripture, Not Yourself

We are not the source of their faith—Christ is.  

We simply help them see what is already theirs in Him.

5. Model Grace in Your Own Walk

People learn more from the spirit you carry than the arguments you win.

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When we refuse to have dominion over another believer’s faith, we honor the very heart of the dispensation of grace. We become safe, steady, joyful helpers—people who point others to Christ, not to ourselves.

And in that environment, believers flourish.

Because “by faith ye stand.”

(C) Adrienne Jason 2026.