The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-B, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 4." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1976. All Rights Reserved.
Question
Some Christians in their prayers say, “We bind the power of Satan now that he won’t hinder our ministry” and they refer to Matthew 18:18. But this, to me, is not clear; what is your comment?
Answer
Well, let’s look at Matthew 18:18. In the first place, it has absolutely nothing to do with Satan. You know, half of Christianity is based on verses out of context; that’s a very common problem. If you were here some time back when Dr. Rodmacker (sp.) was here, he taught on this particular passage and gave you very clear insight into what it means. It’s talking about discipline in the church; it has absolutely nothing to do with Satan. Verse 15 says, “If your brother trespasses against you, tell him his fault between you and him alone,” privately, “If he shall hear you, you’ve gained your brother. If he doesn’t hear you, take one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three it may be established. If he shall neglect to hear, tell it to the church,” the highest court, of course, the local assembly, and probably had reference to the leadership (the elders). “If he doesn’t hear them, let him be unto you as a heathen man.”
You see, a failure to submit to the authority of the leaders removes a person from the assembly. “Treat him like a heathen or a tax collector.” And, of course, you know, you say, “Oh, we can’t do that to him. Oh, that would be awful! I mean, oh, to put him out like that would be terrible,” and you get real sentimental. And the Lord says, “Listen: when you do my will, don’t be afraid; it is secured as such in heaven. Verily I say to you whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
He’s simply saying this: “You do what you’re to do to that man—you put him out of that assembly. He has removed himself from authority; he’s like a pagan man because he will not accept the authority of the leaders. You put him out and have the confidence to know that what you do is secured as such in heaven.” Do you see? That’s all he’s saying. It has absolutely nothing to do with Satan! But, you know, people have all these little formulas: “We bind Satan”—what does that mean? You know, that’s like, Satan—does Satan have to respond to little formulas? “Oh, they said that ‘we bind me’ thing again. That finishes me”? It is not little formulas that either do or don’t affect Satan! It is lives, right? Do you know how to make sure Satan isn’t having any effect on your life? Be holy! Then you don’t need to say little formulas. And if you’re not holy, you could say a whole string of little formulas and it wouldn’t do any good.
I just had the opportunity—I was sent a book by a major publisher. They wanted me to review the book and write a recommendation of the book for their publicity. And they were thrilled about the book. I read the book and wrote them a note back and said, “I could never recommend this book; I don’t agree with any of it!” Well, you know, I know they were surprised because I never got a reply—not a word, see? But what the book did, it had chapter after chapter after chapter of formulas! “Now when this happens, this is what you say to Satan…” Well, I don’t want to be talking to him in the first place! I have absolutely nothing to say to him! And then it had a whole string of things that you could say to the Lord that would get the right things… Listen, folks! When Christianity gets reduced to spiritualized hocus-pocus, we’re in trouble. Listen, all you’ve got to do is put on the armor of a Christian, live a godly life, and you’re not going to have any problems.
James put it as simply as I’ve ever seen it: “Resist the devil and”—what? “He’ll flee!” You don’t need magic. But what’s happened is people have dragged over the magical charms of the exorcists into Christianity! Now you’ve got Christian exorcism. You know the guy who got rid of the demon of post-nasal drip and all that? Yeah, well, I read his testimony. Couldn’t believe it. I suppose I’ve had the demon of hay fever all these years and didn’t know it.
I don’t believe you need all those little formulas. I think the efficacy of the cross frees us from the power of Satan; and the holiness of our lives, when we walk in the Spirit, when Jesus Christ is central, when we love him with our hearts and we give ourselves over to the control of the Holy Spirit, we are so secure, it’s unbelievable. For Christians to be going around looking behind every corner for demons is ridiculous! I mean, they’re afraid of us! We have too much power! Don’t you ever fear them. You have God on your side.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
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