The following is commonly heard in Christian circles, especially on Christian TV and radio: “I bind you, Satan (or the name of some other demonic being), in the name of Jesus.” But is such a statement biblically correct?

This command’s popularity grew, of course, from Matthew 16: 19. It says that Jesus told his disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” What’s overlooked is that that the context isn’t about Satan or his demons. Rather, Jesus is referring to discipline bring carried out in the church. Take a look at Matthew 18: 15-18.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.

If there is known sin being committed by a church member, the church leaders have the authority to confront the sinner. If the sinner repents, the church can declare the sinner to be loosed (or restored) from the sin. If the sinner refuses repentance, the church can declare the sinner bound to the sin and even no longer a part of the church.

I’ve written more on the interaction between God and church authority when it comes to whether or not sin is forgiven. The mechanics are explained in The Authority to Remit and Retain Sins. Click here to read it.