Oppression

13 July 2012  

       

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

There are times when we do not recognise the oppression that we live under, simply because it is so part of where we are. Oppression is not the same as depression, depression is often the result of oppression and when we are depressed we find that we examine ourselves rather than the situation we are in. Some people by their nature oppress others by their domineering ways, manipulation and coercion to get what they want, they use any means possible to dominate and so develop an oppressive environment wherein they seem to thrive. We find this in all places, work, politics, home, sports field, and when we know what to recognise we know what we are dealing with. Oppression is a controlling evil spirit which thrives through controlling people.

Once we break the binding of oppression the darkness is lifted and we find ourselves able to see again and have hope, and we are only able to do this through Jesus Christ who empowers us against this evil force. When a person is depressed we need to identify the oppressive situation that they are in, sometimes this may be clinical, but most times it is that the situation has stolen their hope, joy has been destroyed and love is cold. No person has the right to oppress another. Many managers are oppressive, thinking that they are assertive, and without realising it hurting those that report to them.

Be encouraged today to speak out about oppression in your own life and in others.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus sets us free from oppression.

Question to consider: Do you oppress others?