What About Binding Satan? Are we to bind the powers of Satan before we enter a room or begin a spiritual Bible study, meeting, or other spiritual activity?

By Ron Jones ©Titus Institute 2009


Nowhere in the Scripture does it talk about “binding Satan.” One of the major verses that is used for this doctrine is Matt.16:18-19.

Matt.16:18-19
The doctrine of binding Satan is built on the idea that the gates of Hades refers to Satan and the keys refer to authority over him to bind him.

The problem is “gates of Hades” refers more likely to death – Hades is the abode of the dead souls or spirits who have not yet been judged and entered hell. It does not refer to hell or the dwelling place of Satan.

What Jesus is saying is that death will not destroy his church so that every believer is killed off and the church no longer exists.

The keys are authority, authority for the apostles to lay the foundation of the church as they taught in the name of Jesus. The promise is that whatever they bind on earth such as telling others that there sins are not forgiven because they have not believed in Jesus will have already been bound in heaven because they are acting according to the Scripture.

God has already put limits or bounds on Satan’s activities in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ who lives according to the Holy Spirit who is in him or her. If the Bible said to bind Satan, then it should be done. But the Bible doesn’t say it, it says to pray and wear the armor of God.