"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to... set free those who are oppressed, (Luke 4:18 NASB)
An earlier version of the NASB used the word "downtrodden". There is a clear distinction here between those who are captive and those who are oppressed. Those who are oppressed are weighted down, or pressed down, by something, often by society. Possible oppressors include financial responsibilities and debt, unfair laws or customs, prejudice, and demonic temptation. Oppressors usually have some sort of authority over the oppressed. In demonic oppression, that authority is generally gained by the conscious sin of the oppressed.
Here is the good news. Jesus came to set the downtrodden and oppressed free from their oppressors. Because He was given all authority in heaven and earth by God Himself (Matt 28:18), He has authority over all other sources of power, over all oppressors.
Perhaps you or your loved ones are experiencing the kind of spiritual oppression that constantly accuses of sin, fills you with doubt and uncertainty, or overwhelms you with fear and anxiety. That is the very thing from which Jesus came to free you. Today, pray that we and our loved ones can be set free from all oppression by the power of Jesus and that we can stay free for the rest of our lives.
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