Binding and Loosing

(The purpose of these pages is to provide tools for spiritual warfare from Biblical principles.)

According to the Bible, our Father has given us the authority to “bind” and “loose.”

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

“Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)

I freely confess that there is a lot about this subject that I do not claim to grasp. However, I believe that there is a danger here of ignoring or “watering down” the meaning of something we do not fully understand. Of course, another danger may be to claim we understand the implications when we really do not! A good prayer might be, “Father, You have given me authority and power to bind and loose. Teach me to use it wisely as I prepare for an eternity of ruling and reigning with You.”

Someone might say, "Can't God do these things as He wills, without me getting involved in "binding" and "loosing?"

Well, of course He can. God can do anything He wants without any help from any of us! These things are given to us as part of our training and preparation for eternity!

Here are some beginning thoughts about possible things we might need to “bind” or to “loose.” These are only some thoughts that may help you get started. Always let the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit be your Guide!

To Loose/Release:

People from the deceptions/strongholds of demons (“And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” —Luke 13:16) (“To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners.” —Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18)

People from the grip of disease, sickness, pain. (Luke 13: 16 above) (“And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.” —Mark 7:35) (“Thou hast loosed my bonds.” —Psalm 116:16)

The power of God in me to do His work. (“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” —Ephesians 3:20)

From sin. (“For he who has died is freed from sin.” —Romans 6:7) (“Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke?” —Isaiah 58:6) (“To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood.” —Revelation 1:5) (“Saying to those who are bound, ‘Go forth.’" —Isaiah 49:9)

The Word of God to work. (“The word of God is not imprisoned.” —2 Timothy 2:9) (“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” —Isaiah 55:11)

The Holy Spirit from my spirit into my mind, will, emotions, body, and into the lives of others (in order to give wisdom, encouragement, and understanding, as well as to heal, bring conviction, deliver from demons, and grant repentance). (“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” —John 7:38)

Praise from the hearts of men. (“And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.” —Luke 1:64 )

Angels, to do their work of ministry, protection, and warfare. (“So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.” —Acts 12:5-7)

People from mourning and depression. (“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.” —Psalm 30:11)

People from the slavery of debt. (“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.” —Matthew 18:27)

To Bind:

Demons, away from people (“Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” —Matthew 12:29)

The tongues of critics, divisive people, etc. (“Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt.” —Psalm 31:18)

Christians, to each other in love (especially husbands to wives and parents to children). (“That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love.” —Colossians 2:2)

Secular authorities to execute God’s judgment. (“To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the judgment written; This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord!” —Psalm 149:7-9)

The wounds left by tragic life experiences. (“He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3) (“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.” —Isaiah 61:1)

Kindness and truthfulness to ourselves. (“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.” —Proverbs 3:3)

Steve Hall
1997
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