DIVINE rights are rights that come from only one source, God. These rights are rights that cannot be manipulated, or traded. They belong only to the person designated much like the monarchy in Great Britain, where only those born into the royal family could become Queens and Kings. An outsider with non-royal blood who marries into the royal family may bear a royal title, but he or she will not be qualified to ascend the throne. This tradition is not limited only to Europeans. Many African nations practice it, including my mother’s Itsekiri tribe. Mom told me that one time in the Itsekiri tribe, an unqualified king was imposed on the people, and supporters of the qualified candidate advised the Itsekiri people not to attend the coronation ceremony of the unqualified candidate. Many people ignored the advice and attended the ceremony, and shortly afterwards all who attended the ceremony were plagued with severe dysentery and soon began to die. Not until the anomaly was corrected was the plague stayed.

Divine rights cannot be stopped, but can be stolen if the rightful owner does not exercise his or her rights. In Psalm 24:1, the Psalmist declares, “The earth is the Lords and all its fullness...” This means everything on earth belongs to God. Genesis 1:27-28 says, “So God created man in His own image… And God blessed them, and said to them…have dominion.” God has given human beings divine rights to dominate everything that God has created: dominion over animals, fish, water, earth, money, and all things money can buy. But many Christians wallow in poverty, many experience bad health, some though healthy, are agoraphobic. Why? This is because many people have allowed Satan to steal their divine rights. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...” Satan’s mission is to steal your joy, to kill your dreams, and to destroy you. But Jesus’ mission is to give you life. “I am come that they might have life”. Some Christians have no life: they are sad, anxious, depressed, and though prayerful, they experience no change, and this has led many to be totally discouraged. Many Christians live in fear: fear of the unknown, fear of poverty, fear of failure, fear of being afraid. Why? This is because many Christians walk in the flesh. “For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”. (Romans 8: 5-6.)

Many Christians have given up their divine rights by following the ways of the world. Some Christians take bribes, a few pastors offer church positions based on a member’s financial contribution; some church leaders and elders show partiality toward the rich and then ignore and criticize the poor amongst them. Some pastors display such arrogance that even Jesus would frown at it. Tony, a Nigerian living in Minnesota, went to see his homeboy who had become a big time pastor in Nigeria, but was visiting Houston, Texas.  For years, Tony hadn’t seen his friend whom he’d known as a student. Excited, Tony left Minnesota for Texas, but the friend, now a pastor, was reluctant to see Tony, and when he saw Tony, the pastor squared his shoulders, frowned and would not speak. A hurt Tony returned to Minnesota, and said, “This pastor, who used to look up to me, gave me the impression that he is superior to me. He was so, so, arrogant,” Tony sighed, and then added, “May those who live in our boys quarters do not turn out to be our landlords.”

Many pastors have forgotten their humble beginnings and have become extremely arrogant because of the anointing that God has poured on them. Anointing is meant to freely carry out the work of God, and not to be sold or to make one arrogant. Jesus, God Himself who turned human, was not arrogant. He healed, raised the dead, walked on water, taught and changed lives, yet he washed His disciples’ feet. This is Jesus’ expectation from all His followers, humility. Pride, arrogance, corruption, adultery, lies and deception, and anything that is not of God, are satanic traits, and anywhere Satan finds something that resembles him, he goes there to cause havoc. The blood of Jesus has made Satan to be subordinate to believers, yet Satan controls many believers. In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher cried aloud, “I have seen servants riding upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” This is an error. Christians are children of the Most High God, but many are not living up to their potential. Many people who don’t pray, or call upon the name of Jesus, who don’t go to church, or, fast, or pay tithes, live better lives than some Christians live. Some of these heathens give greater donations even to churches, they provide jobs, make policies, and decide how Christians should live their lives. This is an error, and it must be corrected. Christians must exercise their divine rights. How? The psalmist said, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord…” (Psalm 24:3-5).

For you, a Christian, to reclaim your divine rights, and or, to be restored to your divine throne of righteousness, peace, joy and recognition, you must keep your hands clean, and your heart pure. You must not partake in things that are not of God. This means, if you are an adulterer, you’ve got to stop, confess, repent, and ask God for forgiveness. If you demand a bribe, desist from such an act. If you are a thief, stop stealing. If you are the type who lusts after what does not belong to you, you must restrain yourself from doing so. You must begin the practice of doing things right, even against all odds. Pray. God is the giver of all things. When you seek God, all that you are asking for will be given unto you. “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He added no sorrow with it” (Proverb 10:22). But the wealth of Satan comes with a price, your life. “There is a way which seems right to a man…but at the end of it is the way of death” (Proverb 14:12). Be pure. Be God-like.

• Dr. Turtoe-Sanders is a motivational speaker and televangelist. She lives in the United States of America.