Luke 4:18, “To proclaim liberty to the captives and to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
In Luke 4:18 Jesus announces His mission. He came to bring freedom to those who are oppressed. Oppression is defined as an external pressure from the enemy against a person’s mind, emotions, body, or circumstances. Jesus delivers us from the bondage and stranglehold of sin. Sin enslaves. Romans 6:6 says, “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
Jesus breaks every chain. When He stepped into a room demons trembled. In Mark 1:23-26 Jesus sets a man free of an unclean spirit in the synagogue. Mark 1:23-26 reads, “Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.’
There are other examples of Jesus delivering people from demons. In Mark 5 the maniac of Gadara was delivered of demons. He was a man living in the graveyard. He was ostracized from his family and bound with chains. He was totally and completely set free by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you are experiencing the oppression of the enemy. Oppression is the enemy pressing against you. He loves to target our thought life. Ephesians 6:16 says, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” He targets you with fear and intimidation.
I love the promise of II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Jesus is our supernatural deliverer. He still sets the captive free.
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