How To Bind Satan

The Presidents Of The Church Series: Joseph Smith

You have your choice or agency. God will not force you to keep his laws and commandments. You technically can do what you want. But you don’t have the choice of the consequences that you will receive.

The kingdom of glory you receive is not based on God's love, but it is based on the laws of God you keep.

You have power over Satan’s temptations and enticements. It is your choice whether you yield or not. You were created so you can resist Satan. If you could not resist Satan, then you could not be free agents.

Joseph Smith said, “The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God the devil takes power.”

Satan can't make you do anything. The statement "Satan made me do it," is absolutely false. Satan can't be blamed for our sins and wickedness, because we have the power to resist him. We let our guards down we leave ourselves vulnerable and exposed to his insidious temptations.

We can bind Satan out of our lives if we want to, but it will take work. Jesus Christ is our example in binding Satan. Others have been successful in binding Satan. Captain Moroni is one such person from the Book of Mormon.

The Lord said this of Captain Moroni, “Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 48:27)

Here is a quick history of Captain Moroni. He was a commander of the military for the Nephite people. He often faced overwhelming odds. They won their battles based on their faith in Jesus Christ. They relied on the strength of Jesus Christ, not their own. They still did their part by getting in the fight, knowing that God would fight with them. They fought with assurances that they would be protected through their personal righteousness. They knew the minute they took their eyes off Jesus Christ and became sinful and wicked, is the moment the Lord would stop fighting with them. Captain Moroni taught his people that, with Christ, they could not fail, but without Him they could not succeed.

How was Captain Moroni able to bind Satan? He was militant about exercising his agency toward God. He knew how to build up his defenses to keep the enemy out, and he attacked when it was necessary. In short, he was disciplined in having his eye single to Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith said the devil can’t overthrow someone who resists evil. Captain Moroni was a master at resisting evil.

Jesus Christ destroyed and conquered Satan and all of hell through His atonement.

Tad R. Callister in his book The Infinite Atonement describes Christ's atonement not only as a defensive war against Satan. Christ did more than just sit there and take it from Satan. It wouldn't be a complete victory over Satan had Jesus Christ only strengthen His defenses to prevent Satan from breaking in. Jesus Christ utterly, completely and finally demolish Satan, and he did it by going on the offensive. Jesus Christ invaded Satan’s own territory and completely defeated him there. Christ stole into Satan’s camp and fought with Him there.

Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; (University of Utah, next to the institute) 801-562-8089. You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.