How to Break Soul Ties and Sever Spiritual Bondage

A soul tie is more than an emotional connection—it is a spiritual bond. God created us to connect deeply with others, especially in covenant relationships like marriage or godly friendships. These ties can be healthy and God-ordained. But when formed outside of God’s will—through trauma, sin, manipulation, or even control—they become toxic, hindering our spiritual growth and keeping us in bondage.

Soul ties can keep you emotionally confused, spiritually stagnant, or even under demonic oppression. If you’ve struggled with repetitive negative patterns, persistent torment, or obsessive feelings tied to a person, it may be time to confront and break an unhealthy soul tie.

What Is a Soul Tie?

A soul tie is an invisible cord of connection—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically—that binds your soul to another person. God designed us with the ability to connect deeply with others: “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1, MEV). This is an example of a healthy, godly connection.

But not all ties are righteous. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 6:16 (MEV):
“Do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For, He says, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’”
This kind of soul tie happens through sexual sin, and it can bind your soul to someone outside of covenant.

Common Ways Soul Ties Form

While sexual sin is a known cause, there are other ways soul ties form—ways we often overlook:

Controlling or abusive relationships: These include romantic, parental, or ministry relationships rooted in manipulation.

Repeated rejection or trauma bonding: When someone wounds you repeatedly and you stay attached emotionally, you may develop an ungodly tie.

Idolatry of spiritual leaders or friends: Looking up to someone is normal, but obsession and emotional dependence become idolatry.

Generational manipulation: Ties can also be passed down through bloodlines—when a family member exerts emotional or spiritual control even into your adult years.

Lustful thoughts or jealousy: Desiring someone else’s calling, appearance, or life can create unhealthy attachments in your soul.

Even ministry relationships can produce unhealthy ties when leaders operate in control, narcissism, or spiritual abuse.

Signs You May Have an Unhealthy Soul Tie

Have you experienced the following?

You act out of character around or after interacting with someone.

You feel emotionally drained, confused, or spiritually “off” after being near someone.

You keep returning to an unhealthy relationship even though you know it’s toxic.

You’ve had sexual relations with someone and still feel connected, despite time and distance.

You constantly think about a past leader, ex-partner, or friend in obsessive or painful ways.

You feel stuck in patterns of rejection, lust, control, or codependency.

If any of these resonate, you may need to break a soul tie.

Get a free pdf on soul ties

Biblical Examples and Warnings

God designed us to be in healthy, covenant relationship with one another. However, when we join ourselves to people emotionally or physically outside of God’s will, we open ourselves to spiritual consequences.

The Bible doesn’t use the term “soul tie” explicitly, but it does teach about becoming “one flesh” and “knit souls.” It speaks of idolatry, fornication, ungodly covenants, and unclean alliances. These spiritual principles form the foundation of why soul ties must be discerned and severed when they are not from God.

10 Steps to Break Soul Ties and Walk in Freedom

1. Recognize the Soul Tie
   Ask the Holy Spirit for revelation. Who are you tied to emotionally, spiritually, or physically? What is the root?
2. Take Responsibility
   Own your part. Whether it was premarital sex, idolizing someone, or allowing manipulation, repentance begins with taking responsibility.
3. Repent
   Repent to God for the sin that formed the tie. This could include sexual sin, idolizing a pastor, staying in a toxic friendship, or rejecting His boundaries.
4. Remove Connection Points
   Do a spiritual housecleaning. Get rid of gifts, clothes, letters, photos, or anything that holds emotional or spiritual memory. Download a free checklist at kathydegrawministries.org/housecleaning.
5. Renounce the Tie
   Verbally renounce ungodly feelings and associations. Declare you are no longer in agreement with control, lust, rejection, or codependency.
6. Refuse the Enemy Access
   When thoughts or emotions try to pull you back, cast them down. “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” (2 Corinthians 10:5, MEV).
7. Rejoice in Your Freedom
   Thank God for your deliverance. Worship is a weapon that affirms your new spiritual position.
8. Release Others
   Forgive those involved and bless them. Freedom also means setting others free from emotional control.
9. Receive Your Restoration
   Accept the healing Jesus has already paid for with His blood. You are redeemed, healed, and made whole.
10. Respect Yourself and Set Boundaries
    Going forward, practice healthy emotional and spiritual boundaries. Don’t open yourself up to another tie.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Have I ever stayed in a relationship longer than I should because I felt emotionally tied?

Do I feel emotionally unstable or confused when I think about a certain person?

Have I made someone else’s approval or love an idol in my life?

Do I have physical items that trigger emotional soul connections?

Is there anyone I’ve never truly released in prayer or forgiven?

Prayer to Break Soul Ties

Pray this aloud and with authority:

I break agreement with every soul tie including soul ties from my generational bloodline. All curses and soul ties active in the spiritual and natural, I break and sever you in Jesus’ name and call you inactive. I bind, rebuke and cancel your curse on my health, emotions and bloodline. I speak and decree that I am redeemed from the curse and that no weapon formed against me will prosper. Every soul tie in the spiritual realm, I take authority over you now and call you null and void, totally canceled of every effect by the blood of the Lamb. I speak and decree I am healed, set free and delivered, in Jesus’ name.

Step into Freedom Today

You don’t have to stay emotionally entangled, confused, or spiritually oppressed. Christ came to set the captives free. Take the steps. Say the prayers. Renounce the lies. Walk in the freedom Jesus purchased for you. Soul ties don’t have to control you another day. Sever them in the Spirit—and walk away whole.

“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke apart their bonds.”
(Psalm 107:14, MEV).

Your freedom starts now.