Oppressed

<<exploited>>

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…to release the oppressed…” liberating them from whatever control was preventing them walking in victory (Lk 4:18, 13:10-17).

be set free of the power of the old sinful nature for Jesus continues to set free those oppressed by the devil, whether spiritually, mentally or physically (Jn 8:32,36; Act 10:38; 1 Jn 3:8).

As God’s children, Satan tries to get at Him by attacking us through temptation and pressures, seeking to gain the advantage through our vulnerable areas.

Fasting is often beneficial to help liberate people in areas in their lives that don’t respond to prayer alone (Isa 58:6-10; Mt 17:21).

Praising God and quoting Scripture verses are some of the way to shake off feelings of oppression, despondency and other negative emotions.

The early Christians were subjected to suffering and joyfully accepted the confiscation of property being reminded that they had much better possessions in Christ (Heb 10:32-38). Jesus taught and practiced, praying for those who persecute us (Mt 5:44; Lk 23:34). This attitude removes bitterness and offence because life isn’t always fair, and not being ministered to in the way we think we should can be a source of constant irritation. Instead of wanting to control or dominate others, we are to serve them in love, giving more than they demand (Mt 5:39-42; Gal 5:13).

In faith, see your true and eternal position as a liberated, victorious child of God, not broken or demoralized by the events of this world. By focusing on the ‘Goliath’ that is against us, we give it ‘power and size’ that in reality it doesn’t have. Our attitude needs to see the true perspective that with God we are victorious (1 Sam 17:24,32,37,47,50).

Many females and even males are held in bondage as sex slaves or underpaid abused workers with little or no rights. “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed” (Ps 9:9, 10:17,18). “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God” so His message is, stop exploiting those who work for you instead treat them fairly and give them what they are entitled to (Prov 14:31, 17:5). As all people are made in the image of God, to belittle and pour contempt on His creation is to slander God Himself (Gen 1:27; Prov 22:2).

See also: binding and loosing, bondage, deliverance, evil spirits, fasting, freedom, not being ministered to, opposition, persecution, slavery, spirit oppression/possession, victim mentality.