Binding and Loosing

PART 1

Luke 10:19

Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and on all the power of the hostile one, and nothing shall hurt you, not ever!

This makes it clear we have authority over all the power of the devil and we can exercise this authority with fearlessness.

Matthew 16:19

And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatever you bind on earth shall be, having been bound in Heaven. And whatever you may loose on the earth shall be, having been loosed in Heaven.

Jesus gives us a golden nugget here that is so often overlooked. He even calls it “the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.” He said what we bind here on earth will be bound and what we loose (release) here on earth will be loosed. This is done because when we bind or loose something through prayer it is first done in heaven and then manifests here on earth.

Being disciples, we aren’t going to ask God to bind or loose things. We are going to do it ourselves, in Jesus’ name, using the power and authority He has given us. This is His will.

Matthew 18:18-20

Truly I say to you, as many things as you bind on the earth will be, having been bound in Heaven. And as many things as you loose on the earth will be, having been loosed in Heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth as to anything, whatever they shall ask, it shall be to them from My Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

Binding and loosing works when one person does it. The power is even greater when two or more pray in agreement.

Of course, whether alone or in a group, all binding and loosing must be done in Jesus’ name. Such things are always done using the power of Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit is in us. The Holy Spirit is who actually does the work of healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. The Holy Spirit does Jesus’ will and wants to glorify Him. If our will doesn’t align with Jesus’ will, the Holy Spirit won’t move.

PART 2

Deliverance, exorcism, or casting out demons means forcing demons out of our body. Having been cast out, a demon loses much of its dominant influence over us. The demon then has to do its influencing from outside the body, which is much easier for us to resist.

Binding evil spirits is a little different than deliverance. Binding a demon doesn’t kick it out of a person, but it does limit the demon’s influence. It’s like handcuffing the demon. Binding works on demons both inside people and outside people.

Loosing good spirits may be a little confusing. We can think of “loosing” as meaning “releasing.” Like there are evil spirits, there are also good spirits.

1 John 4:1

Beloved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

This must mean that there are both good and bad spirits.

Hebrews 1:7

And as to the angels, He said, “Who makes His angels spirits, and His servants a flame of fire;”?

Like God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are spirits...God made the angels as spirits also.

Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits for service, being sent out because of the ones being about to inherit salvation?

God’s angelic spirits are sent out to minister to believers.

Matthew 4:11

Then the Devil leaves Him. And behold! Angels came near and ministered to Him.

Angelic spirits ministered to Jesus.

Now we know that bad spirits can be bound and good spirits can be loosed. We can bind and loose to limit the demonic influences in our own lives. This is good. But being disciples, we will do more. We will intercede for others!

There may be someone in our life that is important to us. The demonic influence in their life may be obvious, but they aren’t a believer or may not want deliverance. In cases like these, binding and loosing is the key to intercession! We can bind the evil spirits and loosen good spirits to these people...without them even knowing.

PART 3

Binding and loosing can come in handy during deliverance too.

Matthew 12:29

Or how is anyone able to enter the house of the strong one and plunder his goods, if he does not first bind the strong one; and then he will plunder his house?

Mark 3:27

No one, not any, having entered into his house, is able to plunder the vessels of the strong one, unless he first tie up the strong one; and then he will plunder his house.

During deliverance there is often a “strong man.” This is the boss who is usually a stronger demon with underlings. During deliverance, the strong man can lead and support his underlings. Because of this, deliverance can become easier if the strong man is first bound.

PART 4

Often when a believer prays against some type of demonic influence, he only asks God to do something about it. This is incomplete and little or no change is often the result. This is because the believer is asking God to do something that He wants US to do. Remember, the Holy Spirit moves when our will aligns with Jesus’ will.

Jesus has given us power over the devil and his minions. As disciples, it’s time we use that power to go after the demonic influences in our lives and the lives of others.

Here is a hypothetical example of a daily prayer of intercession by a disciple for Mary Smith. The disciple knows Mary practices witchcraft. Mary thinks it’s OK, because it’s “white” witchcraft. Mary is a non-believer.

“I’m speaking to you evil spirits influencing my friend, Mary Smith. Especially you spirits of witchcraft, white witchcraft, rebellion, and sorcery, I bind you spirits in the name of Jesus. You spirits of confusion, false doctrine, mind binding spirits, wickedness, and hard-heartedness, I bind you spirits in Jesus’ name. Doubt, unbelief, skepticism, and distrust towards the Word, I bind you spirits in Jesus’ name. Kali, Satan, Lucifer, Jezebel, and Antichrist, I bind you spirits in Jesus’ name. Wicca, mother earth worship, animal worship, new age, crystals, spirit-guides, and idolatry, I bind you spirits in the name of Jesus. Any source of power other than from Jesus, I bind you in the name of Jesus. You spirits of control, manipulation, intimidation, domination, spells, hexes, and vexes, I bind you spirits in Jesus’ name.

In Jesus’ name I loosen the holy spirits of faith, sound doctrine, truth, submission to the Word, and sound mind, to Mary. Amen”