Tied Up and Locked Down: What Soul Ties & Strongholds Really Are

Introduction

Some of you are fighting battles that didn’t even start in your lifetime — they started the moment you opened the wrong door. You thought it was love. You thought it was friendship. You thought it was harmless. But now you can’t sleep, you can’t let go, and you can’t breathe without thinking about them. The voice of God is drowned out by the echo of their voice.

That’s not just a bad memory. That’s a soul tie. And when that tie is protected by a wall of lies in your mind? That’s a stronghold.And in the Name of Jesus, it has to come down.

What Is a Soul Tie?

A soul tie is more than just “we’re close” or “we have history.” It’s a spiritual tether — an invisible cord that binds your mind, will, and emotions to another person.

Godly soul ties happen in relationships ordained by God — like healthy marriage, covenant friendships, or parent-child bonds. David and Jonathan had a pure, God-ordained soul tie (1 Samuel 18:1).

Ungodly soul ties happen when the enemy hijacks that design and uses it for destruction.

These can form through:

• Sexual intimacy outside of God’s order (Genesis 2:24)

• Manipulation and control

• Trauma bonds (like Samson and Delilah — Judges 16)

• Ungodly vows and words (“I’ll never leave you,” “We’re the same person,” “You complete me”)

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Example: You break up with someone who hurt you, but months — even years — later you still feel pulled toward them. You’re checking their social media, feeling guilty for moving on, or daydreaming about reconciliation despite the abuse. That’s not love — that’s a soul tie.

What Is a Stronghold?

A stronghold isn’t a demon hiding under your bed — it’s a fortress hiding in your thoughts.

Biblically, a stronghold is a fortified pattern of thinking or believing that resists God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). It’s a prison made of lies, guarded by fear, shame, or pride.

Example: You believe, “I’ll never be free from this,” “I’m unlovable,” or “If I leave, I’ll be alone forever.” These beliefs form walls in your mind that even truth struggles to break through — unless they’re torn down with the Word of God.

The Connection Between the Two

Soul ties bind your heart. Strongholds bind your mind. If your soul is tied to the wrong person, your mind will start building excuses to protect that bond — even when it’s destroying you. That’s how you end up defending your own chains.

How to Identify Them

Signs of a Soul Tie

• Obsessive thoughts about a person

• Feeling drained or heavy after seeing or speaking to them

• Difficulty letting go even after separation

• Emotional or spiritual triggers tied to their name or presence

  
  

Signs of a Stronghold

• Beliefs that contradict God’s Word but feel “true” because of your experiences

• Hopelessness in a specific area of life

• Recurring cycles of sin, shame, or fear you can’t seem to break

  
  

How to Break Them

Breaking a Soul Tie

1. Repent of any sin that opened the door.

2. Renounce every vow, agreement, and connection made.

3. Forgive them and yourself — unforgiveness strengthens the chain.

4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to sever the tie and restore your soul (Psalm 23:3).

   
   

Tearing Down a Stronghold

1. Identify the lie you’ve been believing.

2. Replace it with God’s truth in Scripture — speak it daily until it’s louder than the lie.

3. Submit your thoughts to Christ — this is war, and it’s ongoing.

   
   

Prayer for Freedom

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come out of agreement with every ungodly soul tie in my life — past and present. I repent for every sin, vow, or action that gave the enemy access to my soul. I forgive those who hurt me, and I forgive myself for staying connected to what You told me to leave. By the blood of Jesus, I sever every invisible cord that has kept me bound. I renounce every lie I have believed and I replace it with the truth of Your Word. I declare that my mind is free, my heart is healed, and my spirit is restored. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed — and I am free today, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Final Word

You can’t counsel a demon and you can’t cast out a thought — but you can be delivered and discipled. If you’ve been tied up and locked down, the power to be free has already been paid for at the Cross. Pick up the sword of the Spirit and cut what God is telling you to cut. Tear down the walls, reclaim your mind, and walk out of that prison with your head held high.

“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” — John 8:36

If this word stirred something in you, don’t let it end here. Freedom is a journey — and you

don’t have to walk it alone.

🕊 Invite Jesus into every place that’s been tied up or locked down.

📅 Book a one-on-one session so we can walk through your breakthrough together.

📢 Share this message with someone you know is ready to be free.