sad, mad or demonic opression?

[cowbot]

What do you make of this? I am happly saved, married, have a good job and a pleasant home. I am active in my church (bible beliving, Jesus centered Baptist church) where I do door duties, am on the youth group teaching rota, and have preached on 3 or 4 occassions, and joint led an outdoor service. I could do much more in the church though, I am not bigging myself up as anything special, just a member who is on the odd rota here and there.

I have lived happly in my home for 12 years. Earlier in the year new people moved in next door. A quiet family, keep themselves to themselves. They seem ok, and have never given me any cause to worry, not been noisy, anti-social or anything like that. In fact for the first few weeks I had not really registered that anyone had moved in!

At the time they moved in I had a major career change after 15 years, taking a large pay cut but going to a job I really enjoy.

Now the strange bit. Ever since my job change / new people next door I have been aprehensive about being at home. I can't settle, am always on edge when in the house, and have even had feelings of dread when driving home from work. I have got better over the last few weeks, but even as I sit here typing this on a quiet Sunday eve I feel slightly aprehensive. The wife and the cat are both perfectly content to be here, (as I have been for 12 years) and think I am losing the plot.

Do you think this is the enemy having a pop at me? I can think of 2 inappropriate things I have done in the past few months. One evening of weakness looking at rude stuff on the internet and worringly not feeling particularly guilty about it. (I did it once before and was so ashamed of myself I cried like a baby when confessing it to the Lord). The other thing iI have done is to use a hypnotherapy tape a few times when I couldn't sleep.

I know both can open me up to the enemy, but don't know if this is what has happened. How can I tell if its demonic opression / clinical depression or a form of paranoia. Or all 3 shades of the same thing?

I have not been praying enough about this, and am feeling disconnected from the Lord at the moment. The last thing I want is to be apart from the Lord, and am desperate to get right with Him again.

I feel that all the time I am obsessing about nothing, which is stopping me from focusing on Jesus, and that means the enemy has got a foot in the door.

Can you

a) offer any opinion as to my condition

b) pray for me that I would shake off this feeling / mindset.

many thanks
Cowbot

 

[HoneyBare]

Wow, Cowbot! I would just say to listen to your heart. It seems like something is definately bothering you, and I would be wondering about the new neighbors. Have you gone over yet and met them or anything?

What I am thinking is that, if when we are saved, the Holy Spirit is living in us, then you would think something evil could actually upset your "little home." But, maybe I'm wrong there, and it is really just the opposite. But, could the Holy Spirit be tugging on your heart to meet the new folks, and at least invite them to church sometime or over for a Sunday meal?

Maybe things were going a little too smoothly around you and you need to wake up and reach out to someone who is in need of the peace you talk about. Ya think? Just an idea . . . something to consider.

 

[PhoenixRising]

Good post, HoneyBare! Our homes as Christians, are supposed to be "holy ground", sanctified and filled with God's peace, y'know?

But WE are supposed to do make sure of that ourselves by declaring the blood of Jesus over it, our possessions and our family...daily and by watching what we allow into our homes.

We do this by beginning always with praise because the bible says God inhabits the praise of His people. Then we move on to binding the powers and the rulers of darkness, the demons and satan himself...DAILY.

We speak and declare God's words; e.g in Psalms 91, in Ephesians 6: 10-17. Then we release ministering angels that God has assigned to each one of us, to do God's bidding on our behalf, which includes protecting us.

This is warfare folks. We are in a war but the good news is that the war has already being won by Jesus. He's given us every tool we need to bring the devil underfoot, where he belongs. We just have to use them daily and as necessary!

Satan is a defeated foe, rendered forever powerless over us by the blood of the Lamb. We need to remember and remind ourselves of that fact when fear comes upon us. God gave His children the spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind NOT of fear.

WE are NOT supposed to be afraid of satan. He's supposed to be afraid of US!

But satan is annoyingly persistent and very determined to take down as many of God's children as he can since he's very aware that his time will soon be up. You just have to let him know that YOU and yours are off limit by using God's words as a flaming, slashing sword. You remind him (as if he doesn't already know) that he and his little imps are NOT welcome in your space and they HAVE to go. We are supposed to do this daily.

The very mention of "the blood" strikes mortal fear in demons' evil little hearts and at the name of Jesus, they all cower and tremble, including satan himself. That cracks me up..hehehe.

Don't you just love that name Jesus and all the POWER contained in those five letters? AMAZING I say!

Who said the Christian walk is easy? But God, who is our imminent protector at all times, is even more determined, more focused and certainly more persistent than that foolish creature called the devil and obviously so much MORE powerful.

With God for us and always on OUR side, no matter what, WHO or WHAT can be against us, EVER?

Our God IS awesome...give Him praise, somebody!!!

 

[Boanerges]

Can you a) offer any opinion as to my condition b) pray for me that I would shake off this feeling / mindset.

Oppression.

Father in Jesus Name I plead the blood of Jesus over my friend, his home, his thoughts and his family. I ask that Your peace and presence fill my brother's house. Let it so permeate his home and family that others are drawn to it. We renounce anything in our home that is not pleasing to you. In you we find peace and joy so we cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We reject and renounce any thoughts or feelings that do not line up with You or Your Word. We now choose to walk in the fellowship of Your Spirit and will include You in every moment of our lives.
We forgive all who have hurt us, used us and abused us. We pray the blessing of salvation on our enemies and we choose to be vessels of Your love. We give no place to the devil or this world in our hearts.
Thanks for hearing and thanks for answering! In Jesus Name we receive these things from You, amen.

PS: Fill your car and your home with worship and press deeper into Him my friend.
Much love and many blessings in His Name,
your brother Larry.