I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18 HCSB)
Those of you who are members of our church are very familiar with the way we often say, “That’s tied up!” Whenever we can identify some news or problem that is not from God, we teach ourselves to respond immediately by coming against the spiritual forces behind that problem. For some, it’s just a catchphrase, but for those who are truly spiritual, they understand that our own determination to tie up the devil’s work has very real implications.
Most Christians have very little, if any, understanding of just how much demons influence our whole world and the impact that our faith has when it comes to binding up demons. If they did, they would be in a constant state of victorious spiritual battle, and this world would be a different place.
Jesus is speaking a very basic truth to His disciples: God joins in our battle when we first determine that evil is bound up. And when we determine that His Spirit of healing, life and enlightenment is loosed, God agrees and releases that power from His throne in heaven. Though God hates watching evil destroying His beloved creation, He has set in motion a spiritual reality. We are the ones expected us to initiate the attacks against the devil, and not wait for Him. But once weak, simple people have the faith to bind up evil, God will have already bound it up from His throne in heaven and we will see the results before us. The beginnings of the battle are ours, but the victory is His.
If you often feel frustrated and wonder why God isn’t doing more in your life, or why the world is in the state that it is, remember that you have the answer right in front of you. God has graciously given us the authority to use His name and to bind up and loose whatever we ask for, and He will see that it is accomplished. Of course there is one requirement that isn’t mentioned specifically in this verse, but is implied through the context of all of Jesus’ teachings, and that is submission to God and His Word. Jesus is not offering a magic charm to indulge our whims, but a powerful weapon to fight for what is right for the glory of God.
If saying, “that’s tied up!” is not yet in your vocabulary, start using it, and mean it. You have power to run interference on everything the devil wants to do against you and your family. Who wouldn’t want to see that happen?
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