If you want to operate as a king, you need to know three things: Who are you? What is your domain?  What do your foreign relations look like?

To clarify, while being able to answer these questions can benefit anyone, kings in the Kingdom are more than leaders or pastors. Kings are the men and women that God calls to govern and direct the course of people groups and nations. As a king your decisions and actions affect everyone in your domain of authority and sometimes beyond. Consider, as an example, the power of a single social media post from someone like Donald Trump or Elon Musk. On a whim these men can change the course of the economy or legislature. Do you have, or even want, that kind of power in both the spiritual realms and the physical realm? That is what it means to be a king.

This is why you must have an accurate and sober view of yourself. Ego is not the issue. Ambition is not the issue. Pride is the issue. When you are able to say “this is who I am” while remaining humble in the presence of God and teachable in spirit, that is when you know your identity in Christ.

You are the temple of Holy Spirit. It is time to realize and walk in the understanding that where you are God is. You don’t need to ask Him to come or wait for Him to show up. You are operating in granted authority, not innate authority. It is not something to be taken, it is embedded in your identity through your position and relationship with Christ. Often as believers we feel like we have to “take” our authority to pray or decree and declare things, when in reality we just need to walk in what Christ has given us.

The definition of a king is: a sovereign ruler who was ordained by God. In short, if God has not ordained you, you are not a king. We see in scriptures like Romans 13:1 or Deuteronomy 17:15 that God chooses and authorizes all authority. God also sets the boundaries for each king’s domain. As a king, you will need to understand the scope of your authority, those who serve under you, and the responsibilities you have to care for your realm. Kingship isn’t about healing the sick or casting out demons or even raising the dead! These are the tasks given to everyone who believes. True kingdom rulers are tasked with governing the Earth as it is in Heaven.

We do not operate in a vacuum. When you are given a domain to rule there are some key details to make note of immediately. Namely: what is your domain’s primary role and export and who are your allies and who is the enemy?

Here are some examples: on the global stage, Russia often plays the role of the antagonist which spurs the other nations to innovate and keep their defenses up to date. However, they also export a large amount of grain, oil, natural gas, and metals that other nations rely on.

On a smaller scale, we don’t often think about Taiwan’s role on a global scale, but when they had troubles supplying the chips for electronics that they produce the whole world suffered.

Likewise, a king must dictate the role his domain will fill in the Earth and what commodities it will produce and supply to others. If the domain God gives you is a global healing ministry, then that is your role and the service that you export to those inside and outside of the Kingdom. If the domain is a portfolio of businesses, then the portion of the market you own is your domain and role and exports come from that.

Once you understand the workings of your domain and how it functions, then you must look outside of your kingdom and take stock of the bigger picture. Who are your allies and who are you trading with? You can even trade with the opposition if it is beneficial. Kings don’t rule in black and white. They rule in justice and mercy. This means that kings make their decisions based on the laws and principles of the kingdom and what is right for their people and their allies.

If you are chosen, and you accept, to become a king, you are operating at a higher level of authority and responsibility. You must know these three things:

1. Kingship is your identity, not just a hat you wear. Walk like a king, talk like a king, think like a king, because you are one.
2. Kings rule over a domain that is given to them by God. Stay humble and teachable because your authority is granted to you, it doesn’t come from you. Know the boundaries of your authority so that you can rule effectively.
3. Kings rule in the Earth. This God-given position is not some abstract thing. You were called to govern and affect the Earth for the glory of God

“And the kingdom and the dominion

   and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven

   shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;

His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,

   and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’ Daniel 7:27