We all tend to repeat things we see others do. Sometimes we are copycats just because. Other times, we copy someone because we are doing something for the first time. When I was a new believer in Christ, one of the things I didn’t know how to do was pray to God. What I meant to say was I didn’t know what I should say when I prayed. I didn’t know what was right, and what was not right to say. So, I watched, listened, and paid attention to how other Christians prayed. They were my pastors, my missionaries, and my Sunday School teachers. If this was how good Christians prayed, then I should be wise to pray likewise. So, I copied their prayers, sometimes word for word.
Somewhere along the way, I heard some good and devoted Christ followers address Satan in their prayers to God. They said, “In the name of Jesus, I bind you”, or something like that, referring to Satan. Because they seemed like good and devoted Christ followers to me, I copied them and did the same thing. Maybe you have also heard other Christians prayed similar prayers. Maybe you yourself have said similar prayers. Is it right for you and me to pray this way? What do you think?
Be careful. Even though you and I are children of God through our faith in Jesus Christ, it does not mean we could or should bind Satan. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we could or should bind Satan. I cannot find a single character in the Bible who bound Satan. Going even further, nowhere in the Bible are we instructed or encouraged to bind him.
To be on the safe side, don’t speak directly to Satan, period. I say this because in the Book of Jude, there was a time an angel spoke to Satan, and this was what happened. In Jude 9, “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” This is a hard passage and there is much debate over what happened between Michael and Satan (but that is a topic for another article). But what I wish to point out here is that though Michael was archangel, and he came with much power and authority, even he did not dare speak directly to Satan. Somehow, Michael understood it was not the right thing (perhaps even unsafe?) to do. Michael was careful not to be arrogant, and to think it was right for him to interact with Satan. If Michael didn’t say, “I rebuke you,” to Satan, how much more should you and I not speak to him?
Not only are we not to speak directly to Satan, we are not to pray for God to bind Satan either. I suppose we could pray to God to bind Satan all we want, but in the end, it is a nothing prayer. Nothing would happen. Satan would not be bound. No amount of prayer would bring God to bind Satan. Jesus rebuked Satan, but even he never bound him. The one time Satan is bound is in the future when an angel, holding a key in his hand, tosses him into a bottomless pit for a thousand years. When that day comes, Satan will not be able to deceive the nations any longer. But that day has not yet come. Until that day comes, Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Satan will be bound one day, but not now.
If we are not to bind Satan today or to even speak to him, what can we do? There is only one thing for us to do: We are to put on the full armor of God, and be on our guard against the schemes of Satan.
Ephesians 6.10–13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
We are not to pray for God to bind Satan. We are not to pray for God to take away Satan’s relentless attacks. It seems to me no matter how much we pray, the attacks in our lives are here to stay.
John 16.33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
The spiritual attacks you and I encounter everyday will not go away any time soon. They will continue until the day we go home. If this is the case, if this is how it is going to be, then a better prayer we should pray is for God to teach us how to be sober-minded and watchful in a world where Satan roams in and out around the clock. A better prayer is to ask God to teach us how to trust him in the middle of Satan’s attacks. So, let’s encourage each other, and learn how to pray this prayer. You encourage me. I encourage you.
Psalm 34.19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 50.15
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.