Parents of babies and toddlers work very hard to protect them from either dangers of which they are unaware or things they are not mature enough to understand. Bumper pads in the crib to protect their little heads, safety latches on cabinets to keep them from getting into cleaning products. Little folks aren’t mature enough to use judgment about whether to drink them or clean with them.

Helping new parents become aware of all the potential physical dangers their child may encounter takes time and patience. It is the same in helping parents become aware of the emotional hazards that can damage their child as well. Unjust criticisms, belittling, comparisons to others, unrealistic expectations can all wound a child’s soul. Parents can be taught to use praise rather than criticize patience rather than frustration, to replace realistic age appropriate behavior rather than unrealistic adult behavior for a child.

In the same way, parents need to be made aware that their child could be the target from another realm. There is a spiritual kingdom, made up of our Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit and His angels as well as the dark side of that kingdom, Satan and his demons. These demonic spirits can oppress children as well as adults.

Reading through the Gospels, we find Jesus encountering many demon produced situations. Matthew 15: 22 in the Message Bible states: From there Jesus took a trip to Tyre and Sidon. They had hardly arrived when a Canaanite woman came down from the hills and pleaded, “Mercy, Master, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly afflicted by an evil spirit. The English Standard Version: 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.

There has been an ongoing debate between the difference of oppression and possession. We will not discuss this here. The point is to bring about and awareness that children as well as adults can be afflicted by evil spirits. The joy of life can be taken, and heaviness can take its place.

Oppression is defined a sense of being weighted down in body or mind. This is not something commonly discussed in most churches. However, many people when given this definition respond, “yes, I have felt that way”. Not every bad day is caused by demonic activity. Not every sad or blue feeling comes from Satan. However, some do.

Darryl has been sharing about the yoke of oppression during our recent ministry in New England. In one church after teaching on the subject, about 30 people responded to the altar call. Several of these were young people. These young people love the Lord with all their heart and are doing all they know to stay connected with Him, however, when we began to pray for them, we recognized that they were being influenced by this yoke. How amazing to watch God begin to touch them, and let the joy of the Lord flow back into their lives.

God has given us authority over all demonic activity. Jesus had many people brought to him who were “sick or oppressed by the demons” (Mark 1:32, Acts 10:38). He declared, The Spirit of the Lords is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. (Luke 4:18) These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons (Mark 16:17). Ask the Lord to show you if those around you are being oppressed by ungodly spirits. If so, take your authority and drive them away. We do not have to allow those around us, especially children, to be tormented by these evil spirits.

Remember, just as we protect our little ones in the natural, so let us protect them in the spiritual. We have been given weapons of war to be used. Teaching our children to use prayer, worship and the Word will help keep them walking in the Light and enjoying the benefits of that Light.

Authored by: Martha Rodman and Marynell Hill