Have you ever said or heard someone else say in prayer, “I bind/rebuke you, Satan”? Hold that thought.

Merriam-Webster defines flippant as, “lacking proper respect or seriousness” and flippancy as, “unbecoming levity or pertness especially in respect to grave or sacred matters”.

As I was reading my Bible the other day, the following verses stood out to me,  particularly the bolded section.

2 Peter 2:10-12 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,

Here is an excerpt from the MacArthur study notes on the first part of that bolded section, Wicked angels have a level of existence in the supernatural world that has a dignity and a transcendent quality that is beyond humanity (Eph. 6:12). A certain honor belongs to those who transcend time. Consequently, there must be no flippancy regarding Satan and his angels.

The end of the bolded section in 2 Peter 2:11, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord, is a reference to Jude 1:9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Continuing with Pastor MacArthur’s study notes, Even the archangel Michael, refused to speak evil of him (Jude 8,9), but called on the Lord to do so (Zec. 3:2). No believer should be so boldly foolish as to mock or command the power of supernatural demons, especially Satan.

This brought to mind the times I have heard people claiming to “bind” or “rebuke” Satan in their prayers. I have always found it odd, inappropriate even. Now, I think this- if God has not deemed it the proper time to bind Satan’s powers yet and the archangels do not even rebuke him, then we lesser creatures certainly have neither the right nor the power to do so. It is obvious that people, in general, possess a lack of respect, or flippancy, towards both fallen and elect angels. Consider how the elect angels are often depicted by the world- chubby, diapered babies sitting on clouds and playing harps. Meanwhile, the Bible describes angels as being elevated above mankind (Hebrews 2:7; 2 Peter 2:11) and angelic encounters as eliciting great fear in the people they were sent by God to speak to. This due to their glorious appearance, most often prompting the angels to say, “Do not fear!” (i.e. Daniel 10:18-19, Matthew 28:2-5, Luke 1:11-13; 2:9-10). As far as I know, chubby babies do not usually elicit great fear (lol).

Do I share my thoughts with you to serve as motivation for showing respect towards angels? Not really, though, as you have seen, we should have an appropriate regard for angelic creatures. The true motivation of this blog is to get us to consider the source of this flippancy in the first place. What is the reason behind any disregard? Well, to start with, it stems from a flawed attitude towards The Most High and His Word. Is it fair to say that people are flippant with God at times? Is it fair to say that they often demonstrate flippancy with regard to His commands? I am confident that it is beyond fair to say and, sadly, is an accurate description of all people, even us believers, from time to time.

Luke 23:11, 35 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”

Luke 6:46 Why do you call me "Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you?

This flippancy towards God, the ultimate authority in our lives, is then expressed through flippant attitudes towards those beneath Him but set “above” us (i.e. pastors, parents, husbands, teachers, bosses, police, and even angels). What instructions are given in the Bible regarding the proper attitude we should have towards God, His commands, and those He has given authority?

Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

1 Peter 2:13-14, 18 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

Colossians 3:18, 20Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

We are commanded to fear, love, and obey the Lord. We are also commanded to submit to those whom God has given authority over us in this life. This is only possible when we are humble towards Him and show humility towards His commands.

Merriam-Webster defines humble as, "not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive: reflecting, expressing, or offering in a spirit of deference or submission" and humility as "freedom from pride or arrogance." As you can see, being humble and behaving in humility towards the Lord is, obviously, the opposite of being flippant and behaving in flippancy towards Him and His infallible Word. The cure for this unhealthy attitude of flippancy then is this:

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Our focus, both in our prayers and in our lives, should be our relationship with Jesus Christ; fearing, loving, and obeying Him. Let’s leave the binding and rebuking to God, the only One with the power and right to do so.

In His Love,
Monica