These scriptures are in context where Jesus is telling Peter
that he would be the rock of the church. And He tells Peter:
Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind (Strongs: tie, knot; in another form: need) on earth will
be bound in heaven & whatever you loose (Strongs: break up, destroy) on
earth will be loosed on heaven.
I see binding as right
spiritual thinking and living, following Christ fully. These are the things we
“wrap up” in our mind that are true, that we need, that we hold onto and are
gifts we offer God. Picture these tied up
neatly, wrapped tight, not to be undone. As we embrace
these things and be an example of these things to those around us, the kingdom
of heaven is let loose to multiply them in ways we can’t imagine and reach more
people than we ever could by ourselves.
In retrospect, whatever we loose (break, destroy) – examples
are immorality, complacency, negative thinking, evil, etc., is loosed in heaven. As we loose these
things, break free from bad habits or destructive lifestyles/thought patterns,
as we stand for Christ against evil, the Kingdom of Heaven is going wild,
released to do the same on earth. I can picture an army of angelic warriors, heaving
on the battle line, just waiting to go as soon we start breaking these things
down.
2 Cor 2:5 shows these ideas in action: “We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God (loosing) and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ (binding).”