In a sermon during the July 2024 Week of Spiritual Emphasis, Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, tackled the pressing issue of depression, labeling it a spiritual robber that must be overcome to access God’s blessings.
His sermon, titled "Understanding How God Leads," offered a spiritual roadmap for believers seeking to break free from the grip of depression.
Bishop Oyedepo shared a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit, highlighting God's intention to usher His people into their season of rewards.
However, he warned that depression acts as a formidable barrier to receiving these divine blessings. "Depression is a great robber and has to clear the way before the things that belong to us can come through. It is not a psychological state; it is a spiritual issue," he declared.
Describing depression as the "spirit of heaviness," Bishop Oyedepo explained how it blocks access to everything that belongs to believers in the Kingdom, including their inheritance and health.
Citing Proverbs 17:22, he illustrated how a joyful heart promotes healing, while depression can lead to significant physical and spiritual detriments. He referenced the biblical story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1:19, who only received her miracle after overcoming her depressive state.
Bishop Oyedepo emphasized that joy is a crucial element for accessing divine revelation and inheritance. "Without joy, you can’t access revelation; without revelation, you can’t access your inheritance," he noted.
He urged his congregation to sing and rejoice as a prescription against depression, referring to Isaiah 54:1, which advises the barren to sing to break forth and inherit the Gentiles.
In his sermon, Bishop Oyedepo recommended listening to a recent Liberation Hour teaching titled "Towards Our Rescue From The Siege Of Depression."
He described it as a groundbreaking session that offered practical steps to conquer depression, asserting that both the affluent and the impoverished are susceptible to this spiritual affliction.
“Depression robs us of our rewards of stewardship,” he continued, referencing Joel 1:12. “When joy withers, rewards wither. You have labored; God has not asked you to serve Him in vain.” He assured the congregation that God is ready to declare their rescue from depression, encouraging them to maintain joy and faith.
Fast forward the VIDEO to 1 hour 22 minutes for the sermon