Subdue the Oppressor

As an austic child, I tried to end my life on many occasions. Looking back, I realize I didn’t have anyone who spoke life into my situation or gave my parents or me hope for my future—that is until I gave my heart to Jesus at age 13. That’s when I heard a Scripture that gave me hope. “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:5).

Accepting Jesus into my heart was very powerful. His strength sustained me. Then I discovered Isaiah 55:11-12b. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace.” This passage gave me hope, confidence and purpose. I had a destiny.

As I grew, I received the revelation that He has given us the authority to subdue the enemy. We have authority in Jesus’ name through Calvary’s cross and Jesus’ blood to subdue oppressive spirits.

Jesus sets the scene for His disciples in Matthew 16:21, telling them “He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.”

We then see how subtly the oppressive spirit works, when Peter, in just a few short words, rebukes Jesus. “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You” (v. 22b). Jesus knew the sources of Peter’s words and rebuked the oppressive spirit. “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things that are of God, but those that are of men” (v. 23).

God has given us the authority to tell the oppressor to get behind us. Your sons and daughters can be set free from spectrum disorders—autism, Asperger’s and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—by subduing the spirit undermining the work of God, exploiting and playing games with your child.

Many suffer for years, unable to succeed in life. Growing up, the kids around me had aspirations of who and what they wanted to be, but I didn’t even know what day it was. I felt shunned by everyone.

As a child on the spectrum, you are locked in your own headspace and left to wonder if you will make it through another day. The enemy will work to undo everything God has done and is doing in your life.

Recently while on a family vacation, we were out at lunch. I noticed a severely autistic lady around 18 years old. Her parents were trying to settle her. She would ark up every so often and shout, then scratch her face.

Seeing this caused compassion to rise up in me. I didn’t go to the table but took authority over the spirit at her back and subdued it. It was miraculous! Immediately she calmed down and ate her lunch without shouting. The Bible tells us that Jesus healed every sickness and disease, and He was moved with compassion for the people (see Matt. 9:35-36). Out of His compassion, the gift of healing worked powerfully, and many were healed.

Many pastors don’t know what to do with someone on the spectrum, so many are not set free or healed. But Jesus came to give life and life to its fullest. When I encountered Jesus, my world changed forever.

God has a divine inheritance in store for parents who carry the huge responsibility of their children out of the labor of love. God sees your labor and will never not reward or give you the desire of your heart to see your child set free. Jeremiah 17:10 says, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Parents who would like me to pray for their child are welcome to join my private Facebook group called “Breaking the spirit of autism.” Post a photo of your child, and I will pray for him or her. If you see changes taking place after joining the group and implementing the strategies I give you, kindly send us a praise report so we can testify to God’s miracle healing and working power among children diagnosed as being on the spectrum. I also invite you to check out my new podcast, Autism Overturned.

Reg Morais is the senior pastor of Living Faith Community Church, launched from Anoint the World Ministries. Each week, he runs seven services, reaching a global audience through social media platforms. Learn more about his ministry at regmorais.com.