This post is an expansion of my reply to a question from a fellow disciple about “binding and loosing.” Those who truly fear the Lord, speak to one another often and think upon His name (Malachi 3:16). People who don’t fear the Lord, make up excuses why they “can’t” do His will and produce good fruit (Matthew 25:14-18, 19-24, 25-30). The simple fact that you are reading this, makes me think that you have included yourself in the “fear of the Lord” group.

I read the verses and commentaries about binding and loosing. You are right, I have never heard anything about these at any church gathering I have attended that I can recall.

Matthew 18:18 should be studied in the full context of Matthew 18:15-20.

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 KJV)

Note 6 at Matthew 18:18

This verse and Matthew 18:19 have many applications, but taken in context, they are specifically referring to the church discipline discussed in Matthew 18:15-17. Some might think that church discipline is only symbolic and carries no real weight; however, Jesus was making it clear that in the spiritual realm, discipline that is directed by the Holy Spirit has much power.

AWMI.net Free Online Commentary

Then, there is Matthew 16:19 which also should be read and studied in the full context of Matthew 16:12-14, 15-20.

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 KJV)

Note 5 at Matthew 16:19

The word that is used for “bind” (Greek – “DEO”) is the same Greek word that Jesus used when He spoke of binding the strong man (or controlling demon) and spoiling his goods (Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27). This binding, then, is actually speaking of spiritual warfare. A key symbolizes authority or power. Whoever has the key has the authority to open or close whatever is locked. Likewise, Jesus gave us the authority to bind demonic powers and loose people from their dominion (see note 5 at Matthew 18:17 and note 6 at Matthew 18:18).

AWMI.net Free Online Commentary

Again, as with all Scripture, these verses need to be read and studied in context just as Andrew Wommack is absolutely proficient in doing.

I do remember one of Andrew’s teachings where he specifically gave an example of this. It made perfect sense. I think Andrew knows what he is talking about!

We yield ourselves to whom we obey.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16 KJV)

When we submit ourselves to God and His ways and thoughts, we yield ourselves to righteousness!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 KJV)

When we yield ourselves to sin, we yield ourselves to the death and the destruction that the devil brings. 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:2-8 KJV)

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). It depends on what you want to have faith in as to what you choose to hear. If you choose to watch and hear murder, sexual immorality, and other lusts of the flesh for entertainment, you yield yourself to that type of thinking (Proverbs 23:7). If you choose to hear the Word of God and disciple yourself with other mature Christians, you are yielding yourself to God.

We Walk By Faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Binding and Loosing

When we ask believers to pray for us, they are binding the devil to give us a chance to get right! If we use that opportunity rightly it is beneficial, but if we stay in sin, it really is better to allow us to face the consequences so that we repent and not go to hell.

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV)

​I love God’s Word! I love that you love Him and His Word too!!! Your knowing this Scripture makes you one of the most mature Christians that I know personally (Hebrews 5:14)! Remember to seek more mature Christians who are already walking in the Spirit and have the true fruit of the Spirit (Matthew 3:10, 7:17-19, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:9). 

Dogs and Pigs

These truths that you are learning are pearls of wisdom that dogs and pigs will rip you to shreds over (Matthew 7:6)! Sad but true! It is very good to give yourself time to disciple and learn to hear His voice clearly. You can’t go wrong doing that! And if you do screw up, you can trust Him to help you get right! Trust me, I screw up all the time! hahaha 

Mistakes are Not Sin!

I am NOT talking about sinning when I say “screw up.” I am talking about assuming someone wants to be healed just because they ask for prayer. Or praying for someone who doesn’t actually believe God’s Word (Mark 9:22-24)! Just because someone asks for prayer doesn’t mean that they believe in the full gospel aka the Word of God (Mark 5:34,10:52, Romans 11:20, Hebrews 4:2). You can pray until you are dead, but if they don’t actually want prayer or they don’t believe in healing…

Do You Want to Get Well?

Jesus straight up asked, “Do you want to be healed? (John 5:6)”

Jesus, upon seeing this man lying [there] and knowing that he had already been [in that condition] for a long time, said to him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6 NASB20)

There was a time when I thought God used sickness and death to teach us. I was lying in my sick bed and someone told me that God was not making me sick! You want to talk about being offended! I was HOT! That’s one example of many. My Pastor tried to tell me that God was not controlling people! I was so ignorant! Hallelujah!

Love Never Fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 KJV)

​Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own [benefit;] it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong [suffered,] it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB20)

​These verses describe God’s kind of love to you and through you. You cannot go wrong just meditating on these verses and sharing this kind of love with others while you are training up in the Word and other ministries.

You can replace “love” with God because God is love.

The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. … We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. (1 John 4:8, 16 NASB20)

• ​God is patient with you and the world
• He is kind to you and to the world
• God is not jealous (to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, anger)
• He does not brag (extolling one’s self excessively) to make someone feel less important etc.
• You get the picture!!! 

There is a righteous jealousy (Zechariah 1:14, 2 Corinthians 11:2), and I do believe God does brag on His goodness! One verse says that Jesus made a “shew” of demonic principalities (Colossians 2:15). These (1 Co 13:4-7) are talking about being puffed up at the expense of others. And there is covetousness, wanting what someone else has. God is not capable of those things! Seeing that He is God and the Giver of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). Hallelujah! 

God So Loved (John 3:16-18)

I studied all of these out and would meditate on them. That was when I was trying to please God with my actions. God flipped them on me one day and said, “Starla, this is how I love you!” Rocked my world!!! This was before 2019. I had prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit when I came across it in the Bible (Exodus 28:3, Exodus 31:3, Exodus 35:31, Ezekiel 43:5, Acts 2:4, Ephesians 5:18). That opened me up to be able to hear Him (John 10:27, Revelation 3:20).

Thanks be to God that I didn’t realize the denomination I was attending at that time did not believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:2, Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16, Acts 19:2)! I may not have asked to be filled. It took years, 2007-2019, after that to learn to allow myself to pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14, Ephesians 6:11, 18).

You Can Hear His Voice if You Are His

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27 KJV)

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23 KJV)

Jesus was talking about His sheep in John 10:27 above. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, and He knows them!

I don’t want to be in the group He is talking to in Matthew 7:23. You can know without a doubt that Jesus knows you if you position yourself to hear Him!

Who Doesn’t Want You To Know?

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. … Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:11, 18 KJV)

The enemy doesn’t want you to know! Why? Because you have the power and authority to kick his behind! Is it possible for you to pray for all saints? Do you know all saints and have a list of all of their prayer requests? No. God wants to put His super to your natural. When you obey and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you are partnering with God to do supernatural things (1 King 3:5, Matthew 7:7-12, 21:22, Luke 11:9, 11-13, John 14:13).

It is so simple!

Your natural mind just isn’t going to cooperate. That is why you must be diligent to renew your mind daily by reading the Word just like you are doing (Romans 12:1-2).

Pride and Hypocrisy: Danger!

All I know is that when we think we know something (Romans 12:3-8), we are treading on dangerous ground called pride and hypocrisy. I have been there recently, and I want to stay humble!!! Pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)! The Bible says to humble ourselves before God and He will exalt us (1 Peter 5:6). We do that by casting all of our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). That means to me that if something starts bothering me about someone or something that I have no control over, I need to check myself (Jude 1:20-21). It is up to us to be diligent about keeping ourselves in the love of God. Hallelujah!

Hypocrisy Can Be Deadly and Contagious!

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1 KJV)
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4 KJV)
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Galatians 5:5 KJV)
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9 KJV)
I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (Galatians 5:10 KJV)

Choose the Blessed Life

I love you, and I am so proud of you and especially for you!!! You are choosing the blessed life for yourself! The Bible tells us to let our joy and laughter become mourning and weeping (John 16:20, James 4:9, 7-11). I didn’t understand that for a long time. Now I understand, and I believe you do too. We are mourning and weeping for those who utterly reject God and His goodness and that includes those tares sown by the devil (Matthew 13:25,30, 36-38, 39-43) who are speaking doubt and unbelief (Matthew 11:23-24, 13:58, Acts 2:11-13, Romans 11:20, Mark 16:14).

And as you have pointed out, most of what is called the church today is not practicing church discipline. They are more concerned about the numbers. And they don’t realize it is more about discipleship, strong Christians who will make disciples.

You can tell that Jesus was never concerned about the numbers! “Let the dead bury their own dead (Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:60).” hahaha “Eat my flesh and drink my blood (John 6:53).” If they don’t want to understand, it really doesn’t matter what you try to say or do to convince them. 

We get to enjoy the abundant life (John 10:10) and share our good conversation with anyone who wants to listen (James 3:13, 1 Peter 2:12, 3:16)!!! Hallelujah! Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is LIBERTY (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 3:17)!!! Woot woot!!!

Blessings! YouWillWantTo know Him!