Contemporary Deliverance Bordering Spiritism
Robert E. Best
VBDRS, Virginia
I found this bizarre commentary on the topic of binding and loosing as it relates to the “deliverance” minister’s routine of “casting out demons.” Part of this routine, before commanding the demon to depart from a person, is to bind them and send the alleged demon to the “pit of hell.” This extra-biblical practice places such a “minister” on the threshold of the occult. Before examining the topic of binding and loosing through a Biblical lens, a look at the explanation of these terms through the eyes of a modern-day deliverance advocate is warranted:
Binding and Loosing
Matthew 16:19, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Jesus referred to binding and loosing as the keys to the kingdom, which means we ought know and use these keys, don't you think?
Binding
Binding is like a temporary spiritual handcuffing. You can bind a demon spirit, much like tying something up with rope or chains. You cannot bind a person's free will, but you can bind the demons affecting or influencing that person. Binding is NOT the same practice as casting out demons, casting out demons brings fourth lasting results, whereas binding is only to tie them down for a period of time. If you are trying to talk to or minister to somebody, and they seem impossible to get through to it can be helpful to bind up the spirits inside that person, which will handcuff the enemy so you can directly and effectively minister to that person without having them continually held back by the enemy's interference. Another good time to bind is when the person isn't ready for a deliverance and you are not willing to put up with their demonic personality. I have a friend who bound demon spirits which were in her teacher, who was a lesbian, and she stopped giving her any troubles since then Was the teacher ready to be delivered? Highly unlikely. But that doesn't mean you must live with her demonic personality, simply bind it whenever you are around that person, and it handcuffs the enemy from doing his work around you. Another good time to bind, is when you are half way into a deliverance (let's say you got 20 out of 40 demons out) and you need your rest, like say it's 2am and you have to work the next day. You could simply bind the demons overnight, and finish the deliverance the next day. What does it mean to bind on earth? It refers to your physical location; right now, you are here on earth. Jesus is saying that the authority to bind and loose are provided for us to use right here on earth.
What does it mean for something to be bound in heaven? If you look up the word 'heaven' in the Greek, you'll find another word called 'air', which is where the spirits dwell. The Bible also says that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This isn't referring to heaven as in the place we go after we die, but rather a realm. The Bible tells us that we are seated in the heavenly realm with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). We, as humans, were below the angels and demons, but as believers, we are now seated above the angelic realm and seated with Christ So the word 'heaven' here is referring to the spiritual realm, the air, where the spirits dwell and operate. In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is known as the 'prince of the power of the air'. Therefore, when you bind something here on earth, it will be bound in the spiritual realm as well. This gives us the ability to bind demons, because they dwell within the spiritual realm.
Binding is a powerful witnessing tool: What keeps a person from accepting Jesus? The god of this world, which is Satan (working through his army of demons) has blinded their minds from the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus taught us to bind the strong man, then we can plunder his house (Mark 3:27). If you have been trying to witness to somebody, and seem to be getting nowhere, try binding the spirits of darkness that are preventing that person from seeing the light in the gospel. You cannot bind a person's will or force them to accept the gospel, but you can do something about the demons which are holding the person back. Once you take the demons out of the picture, you will be able to talk directly to that person without demons whispering in their ears and trying to combat what you are telling them.
Loosing
Loosing, like binding, can be done here on earth, and takes effect in the spiritual realm. Loosing however, refers to the loosing of a captive or person in bondage. You bind demons, and you loose the captives. When Jesus set free the woman with the issue of blood, He said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. (Luke 13:12)
Other common theology on loosing: Many people believe that loosing refers to the act of loosing good things into a person's life, such as blessings or God's love. My opinion is that God's love is not bound in the first place, therefore there is no reason to loose it. I have never seen any Biblical backing for the concept of loosing good things into a person's life. But if you look at Luke 13:12, it gives us an example of when Jesus loosed a captive, And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. (1)
Just as bizarre as the foregoing is that of witnessing of a “deliverance” minister’s routine in which he commands demons to depart after “binding and sending” them to the “pit of hell.” As contemporary deliverance workers consider “binding and loosing” a component of successful spiritual warfare, an examination of the passages from which they claim to have a scriptural mandate for such practice is warranted.
“How can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property unless he first binds the strong man?” Matthew 12:29
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
Deliverance workers misinterpret Matthew 12:29 by taking the same to be instructions for themselves to bind the strongman. Regarding this unbiblical stance, we say that referenced passage has been wrestled out of its proper context to support unbiblical presuppositions brought before God’s Word. The context in which Christ spoke is most revealing. In verses 22-27, we find that the Pharisees opposed Christ’s demon expulsion. The question is asked (v.23), “Can this be the Son of David?” The negative answer implied by this question “reveals that even though the miracle had raised the possibility of his Messiahship, the people were predisposed to unbelief.”(2) Regarding verses 28-29, we find that Christ calls attention to his ministry, which was evidence that the Kingdom of God has come. Furthermore, “The description of Christ’s ministry as an entry into a strong man’s house (Satan’s domain) and a spoiling of his goods (Christ’s power over demons), provides clear proof that the strong man (Satan) has first been bound. Jesus’ victory over Satan at the temptation (4:1-11) demonstrated our Lord’s superiority.” In full agreement with Dr. Ice, “this was a historic illustration of Christ’s personal power over Satan.”(3)
As for this present dispensation or age, Satan is “a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Pet. 5:8). We are not instructed to “bind” Satan, but rather to “resist him.” On behalf of His followers, Christ will bind the strong man at a future time - His millennial reign commencing after the close of the tribulation period.
The word “bind” (deo) is the focus of Matthew 16:19; 18:18. The basic meaning of “be in bonds, tie or to tie up by binding.” One can only reason from here that the result of this binding is the restraint and/or inactivity on the part of the one bound. Its antonym is “loose” (luo). Binding and loosing has long been understood to be legal designations in Judaism during the days of Jesus. Rabbinical literature is replete with examples where these antonyms are used to describe certain religious decisions. In these contexts the “idea of binding and loosing has the force of the judicial notion of ‘forbidding’ and ‘permitting.’”(4)
In contradistinction to the contemporary usage of the above passages, these passages “refer to carrying out God’s heavenly will upon earth as it has already been determined in heaven.”(5) Christ in heaven ratifies what is done in His name and in obedience to His Word on earth. In both passages, the syntax of the Greek text makes the meaning clear.
“I shall give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth [forbid to be done], shall have been already bound [forbidden to be done] in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth [permit to be done], shall have already been loosed in heaven [permitted to be done].” Matthew 16:19
Matt 18:18 - “Assuredly, I am saying to you, Whatever you forbid on earth, shall have already been forbidden in heaven. And whatever you permit on earth, shall have already been permitted in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 (6)
The contemporary usage of binding in loosing has nothing to do with biblical Christianity but rather with the emulation of those methods used in casting and removing spells found in the occult. In commenting on these two passages, Buchsel writes:
“A purely magical binding and loosing such as may be found elsewhere in Greek and Rabbinic usage [passages outside of the Bible] is ruled out of context. Jesus does not give to Peter and the other disciples any power to enchant or to free by magic. The customary meaning of the Rabbinic expressions is equally incontestable, namely, to declare forbidden or permitted, and thus to impose or remove an obligation, by a doctrinal decision.”(7)
The extra-biblical practice of binding and loosing cannot be used for anymore good than what is purposed by those who use similar methods in both neutral or white magic. It is the expressed opinion of this author that there are no true distinctions between neutral, white and black magic. Let us remain mindful that in the mid 1900’s deliverance and the self-help thinking parts of Pentecostalism merged. It is said that then deliverance changed from relief from terrifying manifestations to relief from immoral behavior and personality defects. This is, without doubt, proof of the power of lies and deceit of the enemy.
Endnotes
1. Robert L., “Binding and Loosing,” Great Bible Study.com, http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/binding_loosing.php (accessed December 22, 2008).
2. The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible Commentary, par.ed. (New York: The Iversen Associates, 1971), 24.
3. Thomas Ice and Robert Dean, Jr., Overrun By Demons, (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1990), 101.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid., 102.
6. Kenneth S. Wuest, The New Testament - Expanded Translation, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978), 42-43;47.
7. Friedrich Buchsel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. II, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1964), 60.
