(Eighth part)
Memory verse (Is 58: 6) “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? ”
Oppression is a mental torment from Satan. Jesus taught that when a demon leaves a person it continues to wander in dry places. After sometime it says let me go back to my house and if comes back and find the house clean, set in order and empty it goes and bring more demons and occupy that person’s life (Matt 12: 43-45). Oppression is the first step Satan takes in order to repossess the life he once occupied. There are three steps, oppression, obsession and possession. Oppression is when Satan throws all kinds of thoughts of temptations. He throws those thoughts that reminds of the old things you used to do while a non-believer. He is a liar. He tries to tell you that you were not fully forgiven. Satan keeps playing this music so loud and none stop in your mind.
God teaches that true fasting focused on these oppressions will break those satanic ropes of temptations that are pulling you back. As you pray more in tongues God’s power will begin to pull down those stronghold of Satan in your mind, evil thought will be taken captive, rebellion will destroyed (2 Cor 10: 3-6). The battleground for this battle of oppression is your mind. So, pray more in tongues in your fasting and read God’s word quietly and loudly. Pray aloud confessing the scriptures. Meditate on it day and night. Satan can repossess a believer’s life, Jesus taught, if he finds that believer clean but empty. There are many good believers with the problem of emptiness. God expects you to be filled with the Holy Spirit, God wants us to be filled with his word, God wants our minds to be filled with his word etc. You may be there and you are struggling with these ropes of old demons trying to repossess your life, why don’t you take some days in prayer and fasting.
You are not fighting flesh and blood, but you are in warfare. And the bad news is that there is nothing like neutral ground or no man’s land. You either have to fight or Satan will take control of your life. But as for me, am not ready to settle for less when God has more for me, am ready to pay any price to take my place and inheritance in Christ. I can’t afford to be a baby Christian all time, am going to pick this weapon of warfare and declare war on the devils oppressions. I must be free in Jesus name.
Tomorrow’s subject, “ Breaking the yokes ”
