In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee (Isaiah 54:14)
“Oppression” is bondage of soul (mind, will, emotions). However, when we know Jesus Christ as our Saviour and LORD by believing in His blood shed for us on the cross, we gain an eternal blood Covenant with many promises!
One of those is that we will be far from oppression – far from such bondage! Hallelujah!
The enemy is a thief and a liar, and doesn’t want us to know this. But we can proclaim our freedom, and, the moment the heavy and/or disturbing feelings start niggling at us (fear, worry, doubt, guilt, shame, blame, judgment, sin-consciousness, regret, etc. etc.), we have the right by the blood of Jesus covering us to tell the devil to shut up in Jesus’ Name, and to remind him that we are free indeed!
Jesus is The Liberator! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! (John 14:6) He is our Freedom!
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32)
So don’t just sit there and let that heavy junk come over you. Ask the LORD to help you recognise and reject and renounce it more quickly, in Jesus’ name, and to give you the peace that only He can give!
He will!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)
Feelings of “heaviness” could come from God – if He is graciously causing our peace to leave, for protection (He has dealt with me this way many times.), but if they come with guilt and shame and offense and such, they are from the enemy.
Growing up, I used to wonder why kings would have a court jester. After all, wasn’t it mean to have a person that you commanded to come before you – knowing he would be made fun of, humiliated, laughed at?
After a few decades, I understood: The kings were trying to stay sane.
I also wondered why dancers and singers were a big deal. Of course, the enemy always copies – and perverts, twists! – whatever God does. Dancing and singing are both Biblical, when done to the glory of God.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs (Psalm 150:4)
One way I’ve discovered to resist wrong, heavy feelings is to sing praise to God.
Many experts have proven that a normal human cannot be outwardly happy and sad at the same time.
This is a much more complex matter than I will cover, but there is true power for deliverance in praising and thanking the LORD – exactly what King David knew (and even Saul, when he would call David to come and play the harp, to drive away the evil spirits that tormented him) and many have learned.
That is one of the main reasons true churches sing praise and worship songs before the Word of God is preached and taught: To clear the spiritual atmosphere.
The LORD created music, and it is said by some Bible scholars that the LORD, Elohim the Creator, actually sang the world into existence!
Singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD causes His Presence to draw near and intensify – and no devil can stand to be around our glorious God. (They are terrified! Hahahahahahaha!)
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding (Psalm 47:6-7)
Singing the Word of God and singing in the Spirit are most excellent ways to drive away the heaviness. (Actually, the praise and worship drives away the demons behind the heaviness, although not everything is the devil’s fault directly. But I like to blame him and rebuke him anyway, in the Name of Jesus!).
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Sometimes, we can be heavy and not even realise it, because the world is heavy. Ask the LORD to help you recognise, reject, renounce, and repent of heaviness (sorrow, grief, sadness, disappointment, unmet expectations, offense, anger, etc.) much more quickly, in the Name of Jesus, and to focus on Him.
He is faithful. He will!
I like to sing a Carman song: “God is exalted! satan is defeated! JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” over and over. I learned it over 20 years ago, and when needed, it just flows out. I also like to sing Romans 8:31: “God is for me, and none can be against me! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] (Romans 8:31)
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth (Colossians 3:2)
By Tonja K. Taylor
Tonja K. Taylor is a delighted worshiper, happy wife and mother, prolific author, teacher, and nature lover. She has been writing and teaching for over 30 years, to draw others to Christ and His loving wonders. She is a catalyst for positive change to all people to know the LORD Jesus is returning soon. The link to her You Tube “River Rain Creative Arts” channel is https://bit.ly/36VkvGP
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