“Binding the Enemy” and Walking in “GOD’s Authority”
To “bind” the enemy means using the authority given by Yeshua (hedged in prayer) to stop and cancel evil plans, lies, and dark attacks. Based on Scriptures like Matthew 18:18, believers use this holy combat to forbid what GOD forbids and stand firm against (demonic) trouble.
Greek: <prohibiting> — a primary verb meaning “to bind, tie, fasten” (literally or figuratively). In NT usage, it can mean to confine, tie, or constrain, and in the “binding and loosing” context, it refers to the authority to prohibit or restrict.
Aramaic: <prohibiting> — the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew asar, meaning to bind or prohibit.
Hebrew: <prohibiting> — literally “to bind” or “to bind by a bond.”
The core danger is this… When someone “messes with demons” without understanding Christ’s Authority or the meaning of binding and loosing, they step into a real spiritual conflict without the protection, discernment, or grounding the Scriptures require.
NOTE: The result is vulnerability in all sorts of ways. …namely, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically.
There are some VERY REAL spiritual dangers of engaging demons without understanding the things of the One Who is the Supreme One, Sabaoth < Tzabaoath> (LORD of hosts).
The Biblical details are clear. Evil spirits are real. …and they are intelligent and hostile – Eph 6:12. Interacting with them ignorantly or casually creates several dangers.
NOTE: If you are not submitted to the Holy One of Israel, I will say this… You are TOAST! Anyone who supposes that he or she can handle dealing with the occult is supremely delusional and fooling themselves!
That unsuspecting person enters a realm they are not spiritually prepared for. Scripture teaches that spiritual warfare requires:
FULL submission to GOD – James 4:7
Righteousness and holiness – Eph. 6:14
ACCUTE discernment – 1 Pet. 5:8
NOTE: WITHOUT these, a person is spiritually “unarmored,” making them VERY susceptible to deception, fear, oppression, and confusion.
Ther are certainly some who may mistake emotional or psychological impressions for spiritual authority. I will say… Undoubtedly! Many people attempt to “bind demons” without “understanding” Scripture, being under GOD’s spiritual authority, walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit or even knowing how spiritual authority actually works.
This leads to false confidence. …and this level of irresponsibility is spiritually dangerous!
Employing terms and phrases like, “I bind you, Satan” as a formula without understanding the Biblical context or the authority structure Yeshua actually taught and lived by is the beginning of the end. That individual can open themselves up to spiritual retaliation (revenge).
The (7) sons of Sceva tried to use Jesus’ name (character) without relationship or authority—and the demon overpowered them – Acts 19:13–16 shows this clearly.
This is the clearest Biblical example of the danger of engaging demons without spiritual grounding and training.
Can you imagine how much confusion has been caused over the years in THIS arena alone? People may confuse “binding demons” with controlling the circumstances of the environment, or what led to that moment in the first place.
I have been around these environments and/or situations that were going on. It is serious stuff! On-lookers and gawkers NEED-NOT linger!
Some ministries teach binding for everything—finances, surgery, emotions, etc.
The Christian Research Institute warns that this misapplication leads people to treat spiritual warfare like a magical technique rather than a submission-based relationship with the Messiah. Sadness and pain WILL follow.
There are some clear information on this subject. Most (important) is seen and found in Scripture—up-close and live!
I had to do much research on this and I am CERTAIN I have missed a WHOLE LOT! However, the Bible is formidable, and the context of Scripture is unmistakably necessary for EVERYTHING. Please DO NOT overlook that!
Below is the clear, Hebraic, contextual explanation of what “binding the enemy” does and does not mean, and why so much teaching today “misses the mark.”
NOTE: The phrase “binding the enemy” is almost never used in Scripture the way people preach it.
Greek: <prohibiting> — a primary verb meaning “to bind, tie, fasten” (literally or figuratively). In NT usage, it can mean to confine, tie, or constrain, and in the “binding and loosing” context, it refers to the authority to prohibit or restrict.
Aramaic: <prohibiting> — the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew asar, meaning to bind or prohibit.
Hebrew: <prohibiting> — literally “to bind” or “to bind by a bond.”
Biblical research results show that most modern “articles” assume “binding the enemy” means verbally restraining demons through prayer, but this is not how the Bible uses the language.
The only passages commonly (people) quoted are:
Matthew 16:19
Matthew 18:18
Sadly, these passages are not about shouting at demons—they are about halakhic authority, the authority to make covenantal decisions in the Biblical community. Uhh… That would be the Holy Spirit of GOD.
Halakhic authority is the recognized power to interpret, develop, and apply the Law of GOD (Halakha) to specific situations, with the community accepting those rulings as binding (Truth).
This truth of GOD/Yeshua/Ruach has been manipulated by man in sooooo many ways, that Christianity has been given new names for thousands of times over. They call those —doctrinal denominations.
If you recall, this authority came from Yeshua and given to the body of Messiah, for the effective usage of the Covenant community—not to individuals shouting at the sky.
NOTE: The present mis-teaching of people treating binding as a weapon instead of a verdict of what Yeshua’s Spirit has determined has become a problem
What did Jesus actually mean by “binding the enemy?”
Have you and I considered this…? When Jesus speaks of binding the strong man in Mark 3:27, He is describing His own authority, not ours. We have zero authority over demons, outside of the ADONAI’s. If we are not evoking the Word of GOD, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, what are we doing? It is the Lord Who is doing the “binding.”
The Power of GOD binds the Satan through us by defeating him through our obedience to the word and the Ruach.
The Power of GOD binds the Satan through us by disarming him through the cross (our faith matters)
The Power of GOD binds the Satan through us by limiting his authority through the kingdom (of GOD’s) – not the building with an earthly name.
The Power of GOD binds the Satan through us by plundering his house by rescuing people, and this rescue is by the obedient and submitted ones introducing I AM, Yeshua and the Ruach HaChodesh the Nations and encouraging EACH individual to surrender to their Authority and become a talmid (disciple) of the Ruach of GOD, Who will deliver them through His Son and teach them the Ways of ADONAI! THIS is what Matthew 28 is all about. The baptizing there is the art/act of the introduction via overwhelming consistency.
Deliverance and Salvation are Christ’s work, not a technique we perform. What is our role? That is not for us to manufacture our own victory with words without GOD and His Presence.
NOTE: James 4:7
NOTE: I recall Scripture listing that Michael told the Satan, Jude 1:9 – “the LORD rebuke you.” AND in Zechariah 3:2 — “The LORD Himself rebukes Satan as he accuses Joshua the high priest. God’s rebuke silences the accuser and affirms His covenant choice of Jerusalem.
NOTE: We MUST defer to GOD’s Authority and Sovereignty.
So… What is the enemy WE can BIBLICALLY bind? Here are some you can mull over…
sinful patterns in the body
false teachings in the body
harmful behaviors in the body
relational cracks and violations in the body
community disorder in the body
anything GOD has declared unLawful in the body
YES! THIS is OUR job and responsibility!
Greek: <prohibiting> — a primary verb meaning “to bind, tie, fasten” (literally or figuratively). In NT usage, it can mean to confine, tie, or constrain, and in the “binding and loosing” context, it refers to the authority to prohibit or restrict.
Aramaic: <prohibiting> — the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew asar, meaning to bind or prohibit.
Hebrew: <prohibiting> — literally “to bind” or “to bind by a bond.”
The UNIFIED body of Christ is the honorable and Communal authority, not unsound warfare.
NOTE: Let me say, I can go further, but this subject, while interesting, is a bit tedious.
Final words of reminding: “Binding the enemy” (Biblically) is the Covenant Community’s authority to forbid what GOD forbids, confront what destroys shalom, and stand in Messiah’s victory over the powers.