The Keys
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
In today’s world, physical keys are becoming less common. We now have coded locks that open with combinations, biometric locks that respond to fingerprints, and voice recognition. Even my iPhone unlocks by recognizing my face. If anyone else tries to access it, the phone will repeatedly attempt to recognize them until it eventually shuts down because it is programmed for security.
In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that He was giving them the key to unlock the Kingdom of Heaven. With that key, they have the power to bind or lock things in both heaven and earth and to loose or open things in both realms. That key is salvation through our Savior, Jesus. Through Him, we gain access to heaven and all of God’s power to transform our circumstances and lives.
It all begins with salvation. When you come to understand the depth of God’s love—that He sent His only Son to rescue us from eternal separation—you are, in a way unlocking heaven. You’re inviting God’s presence to step in and change the direction of your life. From that moment on, you can open heaven by simply talking with your Heavenly Father. He’s always available, longing for a close and personal relationship with His children. When you release heaven into your circumstances, you are allowing God’s goodness and love to flow into this physical world. It’s a truly powerful experience.
The same is true on the other side of the key. When you don’t turn things over to God, it limits what He can do for you because you have not unlocked the door to His answer to whatever you are going through. It’s not that He’s powerless—He has set up this world for us to partner with Him in the good works that His Spirit leads us to, but He steps in only when we call on Him and involve Him in our lives.
Binding is important because it reflects the spiritual authority believers have in Christ to influence both heavenly and earthly realms. In Matthew 16:19, when Jesus spoke of binding and loosing, He emphasized the power He gave to His followers to take part in spiritual warfare, to establish God’s will, and to stop the enemy’s influence.
Key Reasons Why Binding is Important:
Spiritual Authority: Binding represents the authority believers have through the name of Jesus. It allows them to act on God’s behalf, bringing their actions into agreement with heaven’s will. By binding, we can restrict the enemy’s plans and prevent evil from advancing in our lives and the world around us.
Resisting Evil: Binding is a means of actively resisting the devil’s schemes. We know from Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Through binding, we can prevent demonic influences from carrying out their destructive plans.
Protection and Freedom: Binding evil keeps individuals, families, and communities protected. It also serves to maintain spiritual freedom by keeping us unshackled from sin, oppression, or unhealthy influences. For instance, we can bind fear, doubt, or temptations that try to hold us back from God’s purpose.
Releasing Heaven’s Power: When we bind what is evil, we simultaneously create room for loosing God’s blessings, grace, and peace in our lives. Binding works hand in hand with loosing—once you bind negative influences, you loose the power of God to move freely and bring transformation.
Enforcing God’s Will: Binding helps us enforce God’s will on earth. Jesus said, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). By binding, we are spiritually partnering with God to see His purposes unfold in the world.
Binding is important because it reminds us that we are not passive bystanders in the spiritual world, but active participants in God’s kingdom, empowered to defeat evil and establish righteousness. Through binding, we take hold of the authority Jesus has given us to bring about positive, heavenly change in our lives and the lives of others.
Loosing, like binding, is a powerful spiritual tool given to believers by Christ. To “loose” means to release, permit, or allow God’s will and power to manifest in a situation. While binding restricts the enemy’s influence, loosing unleashes the presence, power, and promises of God in your life and circumstances.
Steps to Loosing:
Loosing starts with speaking and declaring God’s promises over your life or situation. God’s Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and when you declare His truth, you are releasing His will and promises into the atmosphere. For example, if you’re feeling anxious, you can loose God’s peace by declaring Philippians 4:7, which speaks of His peace guarding your heart and mind.
Example: “I loose the peace of God over my mind and heart right now, in Jesus’ name. I declare that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guards me.”
Invite the Holy Spirit to Move Loosing is about opening yourself up to the Holy Spirit’s work. Ask God to pour out His Spirit and invite His presence into the situation. When you loose, you are inviting God’s active participation in your life.
Example: “Holy Spirit, I invite You to fill this place and my heart. I loose Your power and Your presence over this situation. Come and move mightily.”
Release Healing, Freedom, and Blessings: You can loose healing, freedom, and blessings over yourself or others by praying in agreement with what you know God’s will is from the scriptures. Jesus gave us authority to heal the sick, set captives free, and bless others. You can pray and loose these things by faith.
Example: “I loose healing over my body in Jesus’ name. I declare that by His stripes, I am healed (Isaiah 53:5). I loose freedom over my family from every chain and stronghold.”
Praise and Worship Loosing also happens through praise and worship. When you worship, you are loosing the presence of God into your environment. In the Bible, when Paul and Silas worshiped in prison, the chains were loosed, and they were set free (Acts 16:25-26). Praise shifts the atmosphere and looses the power of God to move.
Example: Begin to worship God and speak His praises, declaring His goodness and greatness. As you do this, you will sense His presence being loosed into the situation.
Forgive and Loose Others Loosing is also about forgiveness. Jesus teaches that when we forgive others, we are loosing them from offense or hurt. Forgiveness is a key way we loose freedom in relationships and prevent bitterness from taking root.
Example: “I loose forgiveness over this person who hurt me. I release them into Your hands, Lord, and let go of any offense.”
Believe and Trust in God’s Timing When you loose, believe that God is moving, even if you don’t see immediate results. Trust in His timing and rest in His ability to work behind the scenes. Loosing is an act of faith that unlocks God’s will and purposes.
Example: “I loose God’s provision over my finances, and I trust that He is supplying all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).”
What Can You Loose?
Peace: Over anxiety, worry, or stressful situations.
Healing: Physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration.
Freedom: Breaking free from addictions, strongholds, or negative patterns.
Blessings: Financial provision, favor, wisdom, and opportunities.
Joy: In the midst of sorrow or heaviness.
God’s Presence: Filling your home, work, or relationships with His peace and power.
Example of How to Loose in Prayer:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I loose Your peace over my mind and heart. I loose Your healing power over my body and declare that I am restored. I loose joy in place of sorrow and hope in place of despair. I declare that Your presence fills my home, and I loose Your wisdom and favor over my decisions. Thank You for moving powerfully in my life.”
By loosing, you are releasing God’s presence and power into every situation, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. The act of loosing brings spiritual freedom and opens the door for God to move and work in ways beyond our understanding.
Today I want to encourage you to use the key to heaven by spending time with your heavenly Father. He loves you deeply and wants to bring good into every area of your life. But first, you must surrender all areas to Him, trusting that He will lead you to victory. Pay attention to the gentle nudges in your heart and ask Him to make His plans for you clear. I also encourage you to “lock down” the enemy’s schemes by shrinking their importance in your life. Speak God’s Word over your doubts and fears, and release His goodness by declaring the promises He has given you in His unchanging Word.
Today’s scripture reading Matthew 16:13-20
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
The Daily Dose 