Living under oppression is a pretty difficult way to live. Oppression is defined as "the state of being subject to unjust treatment or control." Following this definition, we can find out if we are under the enemy's oppression through the following symptoms.

1. A perceived hindrance and lack of freedom to pray and worship

Spiritually oppressed Christians find it hard to pray and worship God in their personal times. These fellow believers think that they cannot approach God because they are dirty and unacceptable to God. While both are true in the sense that we are but dust of the ground and are unworthy to stand in the Lord's presence because of our sins, Christ has paid the price for our forgiveness and has given us the way to the Father.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

2. A wrongly-perceived spiritual identity

Those who are spiritually oppressed see themselves as still in their sins, living under the dominion of darkness, and have the need to atone for their wrongdoings.

While all of us are sinners, in Christ we are a new creation: The old has gone and the new has come. Those who are in Christ know that they have been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light. Those who have trusted in the finished work of Christ must realise that they have been forgiven of their sins, that God is not charging them with their past sins and does not condemn them for what they have done, and that they are not the same sinful, wretched and hopeless person anymore. They are a new person, created in Christ to do nothing but good works pleasing to the Father. In Christ, you are free, you are God's child, and you are accepted in the Beloved. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 1:5-6, 2:10; Galatians 5:1)

3. A wrong view of God's provisions

Spiritually oppressed Christians have a wrong view of money, and in fact it would take more than one article to explain the many kinds of spiritual oppression in areas related to or concerning finances.

Some oppressed Christians living in poverty think that it is God's "desire" or "lot" for them to stay that way. Some rich but spiritually oppressed Christians forsake godliness and instead chase after more money, forgetting that their very purpose for being rich is not the acquisition of more wealth but to use it all for the pleasures of the Lord, which includes meeting the needs of those who don't have. (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15)

Those who are free in Christ see their finances as mere tools to glorify the Lord and spread the gospel into all the world.

Check yourself

Friend, check yourself. The enemy loves to sneak in and take our freedom in Christ away from us. If you've realised that you are somehow being oppressed in some way, seek to be free to live for God alone. Remember that living in the flesh will allow us to be ensnared again. Be free!