Binding Evil Spirits

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The biblical basis for binding of spirits is demonstrated in the scriptural quotes (eg from Matthew) on the website. What we find in scripture is biblical.
But I suspect you may intend another question here?
Dealing with evil spirits, if that what we are dealing with, requires spiritual protection.
This is why the Church prefers to leave binding of and casting out of evil spirits in the care of appointed priests.
 
O.K. it is biblical but is it right? Do we as layman have the authority to do or say?
 
tcreed123 said:
O.K. it is biblical but is it right? Do we as layman have the authority to do or say?
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Our Lord Jesus can give His power and authority to whomever He pleases. But to whom much is given, much more will be required. So someone who is disobedient to the Law of Christ, but still engages evil spirits, might find themselves on the wrong end of a demon…

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” (Acts 19:13-16)

I notice they didn’t quote that passage. 😉 Call a priest! A holy priest.
 
I think that we, as Catholics, have the right/authority to use binding prayers against evil spirits who we think may be oppressing ourselves and our families.

It’s probably wise for leaders of prayer groups or bible studies to pray simple binding prayers before each session.

However, I don’t think we should take it on ourselves to enter into direct confrontations with evil spirits unless we have been called into this ministry by God and this call is confirmed by others who are experienced in this ministry. People who are involved in this ministry should be under the guidance of a wise priest and spiritual director.

The prayers listed strike me as being more than simple binding prayers. For example, this prayer:

Father God, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me, and resurrecting him to sit at your right hand in Heaven right now. I thank you for bestowing upon Him all power and authority over evil. In the name of Jesus Christ, I speak to any evil spirits, especially spirits of *___________ (fill in the blank), I bind you from attacking me now and throughout this day. Leave me now and go straight to Jesus Christ who will deal with you. I am covered and protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen

correctly uses the name of Jesus Christ. But it seems to me to be a prayer of casting out, rather than just binding, evil spirits. Telling them to go straight to Jesus Christ who will deal with them is the right way to do this.

Jesus did give the apostles the power/authority to bind and loose but I don’t think this was in the context of casting out evil spirits. And I don’t think that this means that each individual Christian is authorized to bind or cast out evil spirits in all circumstances.

What we are all called to do is to follow God’s will in our lives, to resist sin, and to pray for ourselves and others.
 
A good priest working with us on a retreat weekend recommended that we stick to the “Our Father” - Deliver us from evil - and “Michael the Archangel” prayers and leave anything else to the professionals. 😉
 
Jimmy Akin was asked this question on the 22nd October programme on Catholic Answers live.

catholic.com/radio/event.php?calendar=1&category=&event=5922&date=2009-10-22

Jimmy said that this is not biblical and Church teaching does not give provision to the laity to bind evil spirits. He advised that we stick to the St Michael prayer. Keep listening after the question has been answered because Jimmy comes back after a break to elaborate on his first answer.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
I think that we, as Catholics, have the right/authority to use binding prayers against evil spirits who we think may be oppressing ourselves and our families.

It’s probably wise for leaders of prayer groups or bible studies to pray simple binding prayers before each session.

However, I don’t think we should take it on ourselves to enter into direct confrontations with evil spirits unless we have been called into this ministry by God and this call is confirmed by others who are experienced in this ministry. People who are involved in this ministry should be under the guidance of a wise priest and spiritual director.

The prayers listed strike me as being more than simple binding prayers. For example, this prayer:

Father God, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me, and resurrecting him to sit at your right hand in Heaven right now. I thank you for bestowing upon Him all power and authority over evil. In the name of Jesus Christ, I speak to any evil spirits, especially spirits of *___________ (fill in the blank), I bind you from attacking me now and throughout this day. Leave me now and go straight to Jesus Christ who will deal with you. I am covered and protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen

correctly uses the name of Jesus Christ. But it seems to me to be a prayer of casting out, rather than just binding, evil spirits. Telling them to go straight to Jesus Christ who will deal with them is the right way to do this.

Jesus did give the apostles the power/authority to bind and loose but I don’t think this was in the context of casting out evil spirits. And I don’t think that this means that each individual Christian is authorized to bind or cast out evil spirits in all circumstances.

What we are all called to do is to follow God’s will in our lives, to resist sin, and to pray for ourselves and others.
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Joe_Kelley said:
A good priest working with us on a retreat weekend recommended that we stick to the “Our Father” - Deliver us from evil - and “Michael the Archangel” prayers and leave anything else to the professionals. 😉
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That’s excellent advice.
 
Do aids such as Holy water, blessed salt, a crucifix etc… aid in binding? Or would one just use these tools of faith when directly confronting an evil spirit?
 
To clarify for protestants I did not mean that to sound like “spell casting” or “idolatry” so please do not misunderstand, just ask if it confuses you.
 
VerumAdInfernos said:
Do aids such as Holy water, blessed salt, a crucifix etc… aid in binding? Or would one just use these tools of faith when directly confronting an evil spirit?
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Why do you ask? Setting up your arsenal?😃

IMHO, use all of these with faith, call in the big guns (your guardian angel and St. Michael), ask Our Lady for her protection and wear a blessed Scapular or Miraculous Medal, and especially confession and Holy Communion. I know just enough about this sort of thing to know I don’t know enough.
 
Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

The most powerful thing we can do is pray. Sadly for most of us it is used as a last resort. I believe that we can and should pray a binding prayer against evil spirits as stated in posts above. Most times we encounter oppression or obsession. Once something comes to the point of demonic possession then yes I think that we should continue to pray that it should br referred to our Clergy.
 
I don’t think we are supposed to ressurect old threads. This one is three years old and has been dead for that long.
 
Sorry, I thought that the reply button was disabled on obsolete threads.
 
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