Soul Ties Part 2 – Bonds Through Marriage and Friendship

Soul Ties Part 2 – Bonds Through Marriage and Friendship

In part one, “Understanding Strongholds” we defined a soul tie as when two or more people become bonded emotionally. Soul ties can be an open door to the enemy that will affect your life. The Bible gives you many warning to be cautious to discern and chose your companions wisely because the people closest to you impact your life.

Consider that there are good or holy soul ties and there are evil or ungodly soul ties. Our God is a God of relationship. He ordained and sanctioned holy soul ties between husbands and wives, children and parents, friends with friends, and Christians with one another in the Body of Christ. Every soul tie that is good and holy is based upon the law of love which the Bible calls “the law of Christ” or “the royal law.”
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
James 2:8 (NIV)

God created us for relationship. God wants you to enjoy healthy relationships. A healthy relationship is a godly relationship that reflects biblical principles. You are His child and He is building a family through you. He gave you the Body of Christ so that you can stand beside each other, to encourage, support, and provide for all your needs to be met in the family of God. He uses you as a vessel to touch others and represent Him to the world. When they see your love they can then believe in the One who taught us what real love looks like.

In marriage, God purposes for a husband and wife to be bonded by love and joined together as one flesh. The Bible clearly shows you that it is God that joins a man and a woman in marriage. Sexual union is an expression of God approved love.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Ephesians 5:31-32 (NKJV)

“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.”
Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV)

“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
Matthew 19:6 (NIV)

Healthy marriages are a reflection of God’s design for oneness, mutuality, and equality to fulfill His purposes. The fall of man unfortunately brought destruction to God’s original intentions. The cross redeemed us so that we could once again fulfill God’s plan through Jesus sacrifice.

The oneness that takes place in marriage is a soul tie created by a covenant union. The souls of two people are joined together. God’s desire was for marriage to be a union with Him at the core and His principles and character walked out through your relationship skills. That is why abuse, addiction, and divorce cause trauma, pain, and sorrow. It tears apart the soul tie that God ordained to be created in marriage in a healthy bond of oneness.

A soul tie is also formed through friendship. The Scriptures give you an example of this type of soul tie between Jonathan, the oldest son of King Saul, and David, the anointed successor to Saul’s throne.
“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. ”
1 Samuel 18:1, 3-4 (NKJV)

“Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.”
2 Samuel 1:26 (NIV)

Pure and holy soul ties are based on godly love. Jonathan was a true friend to David. He remained devoted to David even through Saul’s hatred and murderous intentions toward David. His devotion to David was unselfish love without jealousy. He gave up his hope for the throne and believed in David’s destiny as the ruler of his people.

The people closest to you should encourage you in God’s purposes and plans for your life. Ungodly soul ties are formed when you knit yourself in close union to unrepented, sinful companions. You are easily influenced by your friends. Therefore, it is important to surround yourself with friends who will lift you up in God and not tear you down.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASU)

“In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.”
Proverbs 22:5 (NIV)

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”
Proverbs 22:24-26 (NIV)

These Scriptures clearly show you that your character and morals are affected by the company that you keep. Those in sin lay thorns and snares in your path. Therefore, if you guard and protect your mind, will, and emotions you will not associate with those whose ways can ensnare you.

Remember we live in the world but are not of the world. This is not saying that you judge or isolate from people who are not holy; you should show the love of Christ, disciple and pull others up instead of being pulled down.
In your close relationships you must choose righteous and holy friends that are in Christ, teachable, growing and standing with you. This will guard your soul. Bonded relationships should meet your needs in healthy and holy ways. So consider the company that you choose to draw near to in your closest relationships.