BINDING & LOOSING

  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”2 Matthew 16:19 (ESV)

When you’re praying and seeking God, things have got to be done right; therefore, it is vital that we carefully follow the Lord’s instructions. Binding and loosing are key Biblical principles and mighty weapons in prayer. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are on a binding binge and are just binding up everything, yet neglecting a huge piece of the puzzle – God’s instructions.

“I bind up the spirit of poverty.” That’s good. “I bind the devil that comes into my house bringing confusion. “Okay. So, you just got poverty bound up, but you still don’t have any money. Confusion is gone, but love still isn’t flowing in your house.

1.    Key Principle: Never bind up something without loosing something in its place.

When you bind spirits, it leaves an open and clean space. Demonic forces will then scurry around to bring any spirit they can to occupy that vacancy. Contrary to popular opinion, hell has not run out of demons; there is no demon deficit in hell – a whole line of them are just itching to march right in to an unoccupied vessel.

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit! – Mark 5:1-8 (ESV)

When Jesus was confronted by the man full of legions, He didn’t stand back talking about, “Umm, will you all come out? You know it’s not right to have that many of you in there. That’s not fair. Don’t you have any manners? Wow, look at him. You’re really ruining that man’s life. Nobody wants to be around him. It’s just not nice to have him behaving like a lunatic and cutting himself all up. Can’t you guys quiet down a teeny-weeny bit, just long enough for him to take a quick nap? Pretty please?” No … Jesus said, “Come out!” He commanded them to leave!

2.    Key Principle: Command with authority.

 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. –Mark 5:9-13 (ESV)

Not only did Jesus command them to leave, but He also told them where to go!

3.    Key Principle: When you bind up a demon and cast it out, tell it where to go.

“Satan come out.” Okay, so he’s out. He jumped out by virtue of your command and authority, but he still stayed right there in the room waiting for the next opportunity to come back in. Don’t you know that if your voice is powerful enough to pull him out, it’s also powerful enough to send him somewhere? He must go wherever you command him to go. “You foul and unclean spirit, come out in the name of Jesus. I command you to be cast into the pit, and I send you back to hell where you came from.” Now, that’s more like it. Don’t let the enemy linger around your living room, neighborhood, or anywhere else near your presence. Send him home (hell) where he belongs.

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. –Mark 11:23 (ESV)

The mountain was removed, and then what? It was cast into the sea. It had to go somewhere.

Now, I would be remiss to not share a few other things with you. This next nugget of information is going to hurt some feelings, but I have to tell it anyhow: There are some things that you may be binding up that are not about to go anywhere. You could have a binding marathon from dusk ‘til dawn, but it still would not make a bit of difference.

“Satan I bind this…I bind that…”

No, no, no. That may not be the devil, but God!

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. –1 Samuel 16:14 (ESV)

Just as the Lord dealt with Saul, He will also deal with you. Some things that you’re binding up, God sent in order to purge your life. How can you discern the difference? Well, when you bind the devil in the name of Jesus, you should to be able to recognize some results. If none seem to manifest after a while, then what you should to be saying is, “Okay, Lord, let Your will be done.”

For example, if you’re right in the middle of cooking your little beans and things, and you’ve run out of seasoning salt and don’t have two pennies to buy any, you may be led to say, “Satan, I bind this spirit of poverty and lack.” Now, if someone doesn’t come in the next few minutes before your meal turns ice cold and say, “The Lord just told me to come by here and give you some salt.” Then sit on down with those plain beans and say, “Okay, Father, I thank You. There are some people starving right now who are not even blessed with this much.” See, the Lord may want you to learn to be content in all things; He may even be calling you to a fast. That’s why it is so important to know the Lord’s will. Be teachable. Learn the lessons God wants to teach you.

Now that you know how to use these keys correctly, go to it!

Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I lift up my voice to You. Your Word in Matthew 16:19 reminds me of the incredible gift of the keys You've entrusted to us. Lord, I'm humbled by the authority and power these keys symbolize, the power to bind and loose in the realms of heaven and earth.

Father, thank You for these keys that unlock doors, break chains, and release blessings beyond measure. Lord, I ask for an abundance of wisdom and grace to handle these keys with reverence and discernment. Grant me the insight to know when to unlock doors of opportunity, when to release forgiveness, and when to bind the forces that oppose Your purpose.

Father, I lean on Your guidance and seek Your presence as I wield these keys. May I never take this responsibility lightly, and may every use of these keys align with Your perfect will. Thank You, Father, for this extraordinary privilege. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Juanita Bynum, Morning Glory Devotional