The Bible mentions binding and loosing as spiritual principles that involve authority and prayer. These teachings are often connected to the power of God’s kingdom. Today, let’s uncover the meaning of these terms and their role in a believer’s life.
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What Does The Bible Say About Binding And Losing
Matthew 18:18
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
This verse highlights the authority and power given to believers by Jesus. It emphasizes that our actions on earth have spiritual implications and can impact what is bound or loosed in the heavenly realm. It reminds us that we have the ability to bring about change and release through prayer, faith, and aligning our will with God’s.
It also serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and responsibility in exercising this authority. May we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and approach binding and loosing with humility and wisdom, aligning ourselves with God’s purposes and advancing His kingdom on earth.
Matthew 16:19
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
This verse continues the theme of authority given to believers by Jesus. It uses the metaphor of keys, symbolizing access and permission. As followers of Christ, we have been entrusted with the keys to the kingdom of heaven, granting us the power to bind and loose.
Binding and loosing represent the spiritual authority to prohibit and permit, to declare things forbidden or allowed according to God’s will. Through prayer, the Word of God, and faith, we can exercise this authority and co-labor with God to bring about His purposes on earth.
John 20:23
“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
In this verse, Jesus speaks to His disciples after His resurrection, emphasizing the power and significance of forgiveness. As His followers, we have the authority to declare forgiveness to those who have sinned against us. Through forgiveness, we release others from the bondage of their wrongdoing and usher in freedom and reconciliation.
However, this verse also highlights the responsibility that comes with this authority. Choosing not to forgive can lead to the withholding of forgiveness from others. It reminds us of the importance of practicing forgiveness as an essential aspect of our Christian walk, extending the grace and mercy we have received from God to those around us.
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
This verse teaches us how to approach conflicts and confrontations within the body of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of addressing offenses or sins in a loving, one-on-one manner. Rather than gossiping or harboring resentment, we are called to go directly to the person involved and seek reconciliation.
If the individual listens and responds positively, the relationship can be restored, and unity can be achieved. This verse reminds us of the power of gentle correction and the importance of seeking peace and restoration in our relationships.
Matthew 18:16
“But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'”
In cases where initial reconciliation attempts fail, Jesus instructs His followers to involve additional witnesses. This step serves as a means of accountability, ensuring that the matter is addressed objectively and fairly.
The presence of witnesses provides an opportunity for the truth to be confirmed and offers an opportunity for the individual in the wrong to reconsider their actions. It also helps prevent any one person from having undue influence or bias in the resolution process.
Matthew 18:17
“If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
This verse presents the last step in the process of reconciliation laid out by Jesus. If all previous attempts to address the offense fail, the matter is to be brought before the entire church community. This step is taken to seek accountability, wisdom, and support from the larger body of believers.
If the person in question still refuses to listen and change their ways, they are to be treated as an outsider, with the hope that such separation will bring about repentance and restoration. This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity and purity of the church body while still extending grace and the opportunity for redemption.
Luke 10:19
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Jesus makes a powerful declaration in this verse, assuring His followers of the authority and protection granted to them. As believers, we have been given authority over evil forces and the power to overcome the enemy’s attacks.
This verse serves as a reminder that we can trust in God’s unfailing protection and be confident in our ability to withstand spiritual attacks. It encourages us to walk boldly in the victory that Christ has already achieved, knowing that nothing can ultimately harm us when we are aligned with His purposes and covered by His authority.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James teaches us the importance of submission to God in resisting the devil. When we humble ourselves and submit to God’s authority and guidance, we position ourselves to withstand the enemy’s attacks and temptations.
By actively resisting the devil through prayer, Scripture, and reliance on God’s strength, we can experience victory and see the enemy flee from us. This verse reminds us that our relationship with God and our commitment to obedience are foundational in our ability to resist and overcome the enemy’s influence in our lives.
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
This verse assures believers of their identity and position in Christ. As children of God, we have been born of His Spirit and have received His indwelling presence. The power and authority of God within us far surpasses any opposition we may face in the world.
It reminds us that we are conquerors in Christ and encourages us to walk in confidence and faith, knowing that we are not alone in our battles. The greater One resides in us, empowering us to triumph over every obstacle, temptation, and spiritual attack we encounter.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Paul challenges believers to recognize that their battles are not merely physical or relational but spiritual in nature. Our true enemies are not fellow human beings but the spiritual forces of evil at work in the world.
This verse reminds us to engage in spiritual warfare by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) and standing firm against the schemes of the enemy. It helps us to shift our focus from the visible to the invisible, equipping us to fight the spiritual battles with the weapons of prayer, truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
Psalm 91:13
“You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”
This powerful image in Psalm 91 depicts the authority and dominion that God gives to His people. It speaks of victory over danger and the ability to overcome and subdue even the fiercest adversaries.
As believers, we can take comfort in the promise that God enables us to walk in victory and triumph over the enemy’s attacks. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s protection and to stand firm in the face of opposition, knowing that through His power, we can tread upon the forces of darkness and conquer every challenge.
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Paul’s words in this verse offer a powerful reminder of the victory we have in Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are not just conquerors but more than conquerors. This means that we not only overcome the trials and tribulations of life but do so with overwhelming success and abundance.
This verse encourages us to approach life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that with Christ’s love, power, and grace, we are destined to triumph. It reminds us that our identity is rooted in the love of God, and through Him, we can enthusiastically face every obstacle, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love and the victory He has already won for us.
2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Paul reminds us in this verse that as believers, our weapons and methods of warfare are not conventional or of the world. We don’t rely on physical force or human strategies, but rather on the power of God to tear down strongholds and spiritual fortresses.
Through prayer, praise, the Word of God, and the authority given to us by Christ, we can dismantle the enemy’s strongholds, breaking the chains of bondage, and setting captives free. This verse encourages us to tap into the divine power available to us and to approach spiritual warfare with confidence in God’s ability to bring victory.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Peter cautions believers about the enemy’s tactics and encourages vigilance and self-control. He describes the devil as a roaring lion, seeking to devour and destroy.
This verse reminds us of the constant spiritual battle we face and the need to stay alert, sober-minded, and aware of the enemy’s schemes. It prompts us to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, watchfulness, and dependence on God, guarding against the enemy’s attacks and staying rooted in the truth and protection found in Christ.
Mark 3:27
“In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.”
In this verse, Jesus uses a parable to illustrate His power in overcoming the forces of darkness. The strong man represents Satan, and Jesus represents the one who binds him and plunders his domain.
It highlights that Jesus’ authority is greater than the power of the enemy, and He has come to set captives free. As believers, we are beneficiaries of this victory, having been delivered from the domain of darkness and brought into God’s kingdom of light through faith in Christ.
Acts 26:18
“To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
In this verse, Paul recounts his commission from Jesus to evangelize and bring people out of darkness and into the light. It declares the transformative power of the gospel in turning people from the control of Satan to the dominion of God.
This verse reminds us of the mission entrusted to every believer – to proclaim the good news, lead people to repentance and faith in Jesus, and facilitate their deliverance from the influence of the enemy. It emphasizes the essential role the gospel plays in the spiritual battle as it releases individuals from bondage and brings them into the freedom and salvation found in Christ.
Colossians 2:15
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
The cross of Christ is the ultimate display of victory over the powers and authorities of darkness. Jesus’ sacrifice disarmed and defeated the enemy, making a public spectacle of them and securing our freedom from sin, death, and the devil.
This verse highlights the triumph and authority of Jesus over all spiritual forces that seek to oppose God’s kingdom. It reminds us that because of the finished work of the cross, we can confidently stand in Christ’s victory, knowing that the enemy has been defeated and no longer holds power over us.
Revelation 12:11
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
This verse describes the ultimate defeat of the enemy through the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the faithfulness of believers. It testifies to the power of the cross and the role of personal testimony in overcoming the enemy.
It serves as a reminder that our victory is rooted in the finished work of Jesus and our identification with Him. By declaring and living out our testimonies of salvation, deliverance, and transformation, we actively participate in the defeat of the enemy and bear witness to God’s redeeming power.
1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
This verse assures us that as children of God, we have been given the ability to overcome the world and its challenges. Through our faith in Jesus, we access the victory that has already overcome all the forces of opposition and tribulation.
It encourages us to hold fast to our faith, trusting in God’s promises and relying on His strength. Our faith enables us to rise above the limitations of the world and walk triumphantly in the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Paul exhorts believers to resist being overwhelmed or defeated by evil in any form. Instead, he encourages us to counter evil with good, allowing the transformative power of love and righteousness to overcome darkness.
This verse speaks to the importance of responding to negativity, hatred, and injustice with kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. By living out these virtues in our interactions with others, we actively participate in overcoming evil and promoting God’s kingdom of light and love.
Psalm 18:39
“For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.”
David’s psalm acknowledges God’s role in preparing and empowering him for battle. It speaks of divine assistance in his victories and subduing those who opposed him.
This verse reminds us that it is God who equips and strengthens us for the spiritual battles we face. It encourages us to rely not on our own abilities but on His power, knowing that He will cause our enemies to be subdued and our victories to be manifest.
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
David’s famous psalm portrays the Lord as a faithful shepherd who guides, protects, and comforts His sheep. It assures us that even in the midst of the darkest trials and challenges, we need not fear because God is with us.
This verse encourages us to trust in God’s presence and care, finding comfort in the fact that He watches over us and leads us through every difficult season. It reminds us that with God by our side, we can confidently face any spiritual battle, knowing that His guidance and protection will sustain us.