June 22, 2026 -- Matthew 15:21-22, 28 -- Demon oppression and victory in Jesus!

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21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:21-22, 28 ESV
 
We don’t know what it means that the daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. In Scripture we know of a dad, whose demon oppressed son would throw himself into the fire (Matthew 17:14ff). We know of demon-possessed men who lived among the tombs who cut themselves til they bled (Matthew 8:28ff). We know of a woman who attended the synagogue for 18 years, though Satan had afflicted her back with a twisting pain (Luke 1:10-17). Whatever it was, this mother was devastated by her daughter’s condition and pursued Him, Who is the Sun of Righteousness Who has healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
 
Demon oppression is different from demon possession. If one is demon possessed, a representative of the hosts of hell lives in that person. The person has been so given over to evil that the demonic controls his thoughts and mind and actions. It is a devastating condition. Demon oppression is different in that it is demonic forces which are still outside of a person working to attack him. There can be hallucinations. Pain. Sickness. Mental instability. Lies can seem very convincing. It is important to note that a believer can not be demon possessed. But a believer can be demon oppressed.
 
Demon oppression can also happen by invitation. A believer who dabbles in sin, or toys with it, will be welcoming tremendous oppression by demons. It is the work of Satan to destroy Christians. The Devil can not personally attack God in any way; he is too finite and the LORD of Hosts is infinite. The Devil is merely a created being that once didn’t exist and one day will be thrown into hell forever, he can’t in any way touch or affect God. However, the Devil will then seek to devour Christians. He will attack. He will lie. He will invite people back into old sins and former habits. Tantalizing them with lies they already know to be lies, but which aim at the vile, iniquitous desires of the heart.
 
No wonder former addicts return to their bottles, or needles. They are vulnerable to the oppression of the enemy because of their former eagerness to find and use. When a man or a woman has been made clean in Christ, the severity of the past battles have been exposed. To remain pure, one must abide in Christ and be vigilant every hour of every day. Previous areas of spiritual battle can now be weak-points, chinks in one’s armour against sin.
 
Whatever sin it is that has been ascendant will constantly assert itself against your faith. Gluttony. Sexual sins. Pride. Anger, Lust. Pornography. Unholy music. Vile movies. Slander. Meddling. Hatred for parents. Rebelliousness. Sin will have so weakened you, that you must wholly rely on Christ to keep you safe. In fact, if you could fight sin on your own, you would not need Jesus. The Bible, written for believers, constantly calls out sinful actions, and out-of-alignment-with-God thoughts precisely because these will always tempt believers. No wonder Paul said, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). The more we give into sin, trying to fight the spiritual battle with worldly tools and attitudes, more we’ll be oppressed by such sins.

Dear fellow believer, look at the passage again. How easily Jesus asserted His All-Mighty power over hell. At His Word, the demon oppression was instantly conquered. Be encouraged, Jesus is your strong shield and defender.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for Love Incarnate, Jesus. Lord Jesus, in the areas of my life that are most vulnerable to attack, or I am easily charmed by sin’s deceitfulness, direct Your Spirit to be the guardian of my soul. Triune God, You are the foundation of my salvation, the victory in every step, and my only hope for a future as one who overcomes in the power of Jesus; keep me humble in my obedience, joyful in the Lord, and confident You are there with me, whether or not I can feel Your presence. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/VphMpFKb0o0?si=TrARA0Jc5stXfR0N There Rings Through the Clouds
 

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