Oftentimes, I hear people say they are binding something through the principle of binding and loosing. Exactly, what are they saying? Are they literally constraining someone or something? What are the results when someone or something is bound? When people say they are binding something, they are referencing Mt. 16:19, “…and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. “
When referencing binding and loosing the implication is that someone is taking control of something here on earth and the manifestation will be revealed in heaven. Whatever is bound on earth (physical) will manifest in heaven (spiritual). In essence, binding and loosing is revealing the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. Anything that is bound in the physical world will be synonymously reflected in the spiritual world.
Since binding and loosing does not entail literal ligatures, how does this principle work? How can you bind something on earth without some physical form of restrain? How does something bound on earth manifest itself in the heaven or spirit world? Binding and loosing is not about literal constrains with physical ligatures. It is a spiritual release, better known as forgiveness, and it is demonstrated by showing love, compassion, and mercy to the undeserving. The reference to binding and loosing in Mt. 16:19 never really give a clear understanding of what the phrase actually mean. It is mentioned, but then it leaves you hanging, so to speak. Binding and loosing is mentioned again in Mt. 18:15-20 and it lends more insight to the actual meaning of the phrase.
Mt 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mt 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mt 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Mt 18:18 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.
Mt 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Binding and loosing is actually referencing the heart-felt act of forgiveness and not a request to punish someone for wrongdoing. Binding and loosing is forgiving others for their trespasses so that your Heavenly Father can also forgive you for your trespasses. Forgiveness on earth translates to forgiveness in heaven. Whatsoever is bound (un-forgiven) on earth will be bound (un-forgiven) in heaven. Whatsoever you shall loose (forgive), on earth shall be loosed (forgiven) in heaven. Things are bound on earth because they are not forgiven on earth and things are loosed in heaven because they are forgiven on earth.
If one does not forgive others, then he or she cannot be forgiven by God; Mt. 6:14-15, “…if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you… if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Binding and loosing is about total and complete forgiveness for all of God’s creation, and that forgiveness must be afforded before you leave this earth; otherwise your failure to forgive all is considered to God as a failure or lack of repentance.
Anyone that does not forgive all of his trespassers, in essence is binding or jeopardizing his or her own spiritual destiny. On the other hand, everyone that forgives all of his or her trespassers is loosing their trespassers from their shortcomings and gaining God as their Heavenly Father. The message is simple, loose all (forgive) and all will be forgiven; bind some (do not forgive) and none will be forgiven.
What is the procedure for binding and loosing? Mt. 18:15-20 gives us the precise procedure on how binding and loosing is accomplished.
- 1st Speak directly to the individual that trespassed against you
- If he apologizes, the matter is settled
- If he refuses to apologize then proceed to step 2
- 2nd Get 2 or 3 witnesses and approach him again
- If he apologizes, the matter is settled
- If he refuses to apologize then proceed to step 3
- 3rd Explain the trespass to the church
- If he apologizes, the matter is settled
- If he refuses to apologize then proceed to step 4
- 4th Withhold fellowship from that individual
- Do not mistreat that individual.
- Continue to show love and respect to that individual
- If fellowship is withheld from an individual, then that person is bound on earth
- He is separated from the Body of Christ
- And he’s also separated from the fellowship of God
- If that person acknowledges his trespass then that person is loosed on earth
- His relationship is restored with the individual he trespassed against
- His relationship with the Body of Christ is still intact
- His relationship with God is still intact
Binding and loosing is demonstrating an attitude of forgiveness or un-forgiveness while living on earth in a physical body. Forgiveness is loosing a trespass and un-forgiveness is binding a trespass. Whatever attitude one chooses, that same state of forgiveness will be measured back to him in heaven, whether it is a positive or negative outcome. One other thing, it takes a minimum of two individuals to bind or loose something on earth. It begins with the individual trespassed against and the trespasser. If they agree, then the trespass is forgiven and is loosed in heaven. If they do not agree, then the individual that was trespassed against must move to the next step until all avenues has been exhausted. If the individual committing the trespass does not agree after all avenues has been exhausted, then the trespass is un-forgiven and is bound in heaven. Those that are in agreement are the two or three witness and the church that has vowed not to have fellowship with the transgressor.
