ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION?

During one episode of Eat Bulaga, a GMA 7 noon time program, one of the hosts, Joey de Leon, commented that depression is just “made up” but another host, Maine Mendoza, butt in and said that “it is not a joke.” Many people reacted to what Joey de Leon has said, thus, many came out to tell how they suffered from depression.

Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms.

They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed.

Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem.

The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives.

This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY, HEAR & OBEY GOD’S WORD, SUPPORT GROUPS, FELLOWSHIP AMONG BELIEVERS, CONFESSION, FORGIVENESS, AND COUNSELING.

We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but to turn our efforts outward.

Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DEPRESSION IS NOT REMEDIED?

Depression may lead to allowing Satan to illegally dwell in our life that will lead to the stages of demonization.

Different types and stages of demonization in believers and non-believers, such as: oppression; obsession; suppression; and possession.

• OPPRESSION is the state, or process of being tempted spiritually with a sense of being weighed down physically and psychologically, as in the case of a Christian being disturbed, tormented, or harassed by demons.

Possible symptoms of oppression are: anxiety; depression; anger; bitterness; unforgiveness; guilt; shame; heaviness; obstruction; discouragement; etc., that affects our soul. It’s a cruel, unjust, burdensome, and harsh assignment through the demonic power of darkness.

• OBSESSION is a persistent, besetting, disturbing, dominating preoccupation, action or influence of an often unreasonable, persistent, and unnatural feeling or idea that a person cannot escape. It’s a result of demonic intrusion into the life of a believer or non-believer, impelling them to preoccupy themself with certain ideas, emotions, attitudes, or actions from outside and becomes a serious stronghold.

For an example, King Saul was repeatedly oppressed by a demon in his life as he became obsessed by the thought of killing David because he was filled with jealousy and consumed by his hatred of David; though he had previously been anointed by the Spirit and prophesied over (see 1 Samuel 10:1, 9-13).

• SUPPRESSION is where a Christian expresses a conscious inhibition of an impulse that keeps them in repression, and they seem to be continually stopped from: reading His Word; praying; and building up a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

• POSSESSION is the act or state of being dominated or possessed by an extra-ordinary influence, such as an impulsive attitude or idea; or extraneous personality or action. Demonic possession by demons occurs mostly among non-believers and pseudo believers, who are subject to the control by the kingdom of darkness.

WHEN IS THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF SATAN HAPPENS?

Demonic oppression, obsession, and suppression of a believer is like an illegal occupation of a person’s urban house that has a vacant sign posted outside on the letterbox.

Satan and his forces by spiritual rights have no rightful occupation in the soul of a born-again believer, whose life belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. They are righteous when they are saved, but when they become unrighteous they then give spiritual rights to Satan’s forces to take up residence and occupy their soul, their house.

Through wilful disobedience and lack of discipline, rebellion, and persistent and ongoing sins in their life, then they give ground for demons to dwell in their empty, swept, and put in order house (Matt. 12:43-45). These demons act like squatters and breed like rats in the garbage of our life that is stored within our soul, such as our: anger; bitterness; hurts; offences; resentfulness; hatred; jealousy; pride; unforgiveness; etc., etc.

An example from His Word is of Judas, who repeatedly stole money (John 12:6) and had first allowed Satan to enter his heart. This eventually led to his betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ and his suicide (John 13:2, 27). Another example from the Bible is of Ananias and Sapphira, who stole and lied (Acts 5:2).

Many similar cases have been seen over the past decade of leaders of churches and evangelists who were obsessed with sexual immorality and sinful practices for a long period of time during their ministry, and were later driven to moral corruption and spiritual defeat as they fed their sin.

HOW CAN WE BE DELIVERED FROM THE ATTACK OF THE DEVIL?

Human beings are basically a body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The soul has a holistic unity with a three-dimensional functionality, that is, one person with a composite personality of physio-psycho-spiritual aspects that manifests through different stages of our soul, such as: our carnal mind (our brain); will; pride; conscious; emotional feelings; etc.

But, as we fill our soul, our house, with His Word and our Lord Jesus Christ; and cleanse our house through confession, repentance, and forgiveness, then, our will, pride and emotional feelings are healed, also, our spiritual mind, our heart, will be transformed and renewed, and finally, we will no longer be conformed to the world.

AN INVITATION:

On February 17, 2018, Saturday, the JESUS IS ALIVE CALAMBA CHURCH will hold a WALKING IN VICTORY SEMINAR, from 8AM to 5PM, at the JIACC Sanctuary, 4th floor Andenson Bldg. 1, National Hiway, Barangay Parian, Calamba City, Laguna (Beside Riverview Resort, near SM Calamba). The seminar is about how to be delivered from the attacks of the enemy, including depression. Bring along your friends and loved ones.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!