In Mark 3, Jesus spoke about Satan and demons. And then he said (v 27): ‘No one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.’
This verse explains why some people don’t get healed or freed.
The house represents a person who has Satan’s stuff inside – things like sickness, demons, curses, mental illness, depression, addictions or emotional problems.
The guard is outside. And if you don’t disable him first, the enemy’s rubbish stays put, no matter how much you pray.
I once helped a desperate couple whose daughter was being taken away by a court. It was cut and dried.
But we bound the strong man, and the judge inexplicably changed his mind. Then the couple both got saved within days.
I could tell you many stories like this.
Binding is not something we pray. It’s something we do.
Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 that we wrestle with enemy forces. He didn’t say: ‘Hey, Jesus was won the victory. Sit back and enjoy it.’
Wrestle in Greek means: ‘A struggle, fight, conflict, or contest.’ The victory has to be enforced.
Wrestling isn’t praying. It’s confronting the enemy, like Jesus did in the wilderness.
He wrestled with him until he left.
And when Satan again tried to deflect him again later (Matt 16:23), he didn’t pray. Jesus spoke to him: ‘Get behind me, Satan.’
If you can’t get free from the devil’s stuff, bind the guard first. He might be strong. But Jesus has given you authority over him (Luke 10:19).
Start wrestling!