The Jezebel Spirit

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1still_waters

Guest
#21
So based on my two previous posts, it's clear this Jezebel like mentality that fits John's template in Revelation 2, is alive and well in churches today which claim to hear directly from God and speak for him.
 
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unclefester

Guest
#22
Here's a somewhat modern day person who fits the template.

1. Claims to be hearing from, and speaking for God, under the office of prophetess. Verse 20
2. Teaches and deceives people to commit sexual immorality. Verse Verse 20
3. Teaches and deceives people into eating meat sacrificed to idols. Verse 20
4. Commits adultery. Verse 22
5. Knows the deep things of Satan. Verse24

Bob Jones of the charismatic Vineyard fellowship. He claimed to be a prophet, ie, heard from God spoke for him. He admitted to leading women into sexual immorality.
Link--> Minister removed after confession of sexual misconduct
Here's another that mostly fits this template

1. Claims to be hearing from, and speaking for God, under the office of prophetess. Verse 20
2. Teaches and deceives people to commit sexual immorality. Verse Verse 20
3. Teaches and deceives people into eating meat sacrificed to idols. Verse 20
4. Commits adultery. Verse 22
5. Knows the deep things of Satan. Verse24

Pastor Douglas Goodman of Victory 2 Victory Church, a church that believes God is still speaking to others for him today.
Statement of beliefs-->
http://www.v2vchurch.com/about-v2v/statement-of-faith

He was convicted of two indecent assaults against a woman. He later apologized
Link--> Charismatic Pastor Faces Jail for Sex Assaults
This prophesying imperfectly stuff sure gets people in trouble, huh ? Hope I never prophesy imperfectly :(
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#23
I came up with this template for Jezebel based on what the Holy Spirit revealed to John in Rev 2.
1. Claims to be hearing from, and speaking for God, under the office of prophetess. Verse 20
2. Teaches and deceives people to commit sexual immorality. Verse Verse 20
3. Teaches and deceives people into eating meat sacrificed to idols. Verse 20
4. Commits adultery. Verse 22
5. Knows the deep things of Satan. Verse24

The name Jezebel is in the OT only 19 times.
I'm going to come up with an OT template for Jezebel based on those verses.

1. Married to someone who worshipped a false God. 1 Kings 16:31
2. Slaughtered/murdered the Lord's prophets. 1 Kings 18:4
3. Eats, fellowships with false prophets 1 Kings 18:19
4. In the name of false gods, seeks to torment prophets of God. 1 Kings 19:2
5. Steals property in the name of nobility/leadership. 1 Kings 21:7-16
6. Incited people to evil. 1 Kings 21:25

 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
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#24
So if we were to make a flowchart of sorts, to help us easily spot these Jezebel Spirits, where would we start?

I'll start with my initial list of five...well..four..according to some...

1. Claims to be hearing from, and speaking for God, under the office of prophetess. Verse 20
2. Teaches and deceives people to commit sexual immorality. Verse Verse 20
3. Teaches and deceives people into eating meat sacrificed to idols. Verse 20
4. Commits adultery. Verse 22
5. Knows the deep things of Satan. Verse24


I was thinking of the NIV translation of the verse,
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,
The NIV translators apparently took the wording there to mean 'Satan's so-called deep secrets.' Of course the NIV is the kind of translation that often chooses an interpretation if the meaning is ambiguous rather than preserving the ambiguity in the translation.

Ok so what types of people would be on our list of potential Jezebels if you use the list John gives in Revelation?

1. They'd have to be someone who believes God is still speaking through the office of prophet/prophetess today.
2. They'd have to be someone who believes God is directly communicating to them.

So based on this very simple starting point, who can we disqualify as having a Jezebel spirit?
Honing in on the potential suspects starts by finding out who isn't on that list.

I'd suggest those who believe the following, would have to be removed from the suspect list of who is a Jezebel.

1. Someone who doesn't believe God is still speaking through the office or prophet/prophetess today.
2 Someone who doesn't believe God is directly communicating with them.
There is no evidence that the original OT Jezebel claimed to be a prophetess or to hear from Yahweh, so I don't see your criteria here as legitimate reason to suspect someone of being a Jezebel. John, who was writing the passage, was receiving supernatural revelation, and the book continues on to talk about certain prophets. So believing God can communicate is not a fair reason to suspect someone of being a Jezebel.
 
Aug 15, 2009
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#25
Continuing...........


The first thing to note is the way that a person with a ‘Jezebel’ spirit sets off one person against another by a variety of subtle and not so subtle tactics. Characteristic of this is the controlled use of flattery, not to support but to gain position and control. Such people frequently inform key leaders that there are ‘movements’ afoot against them, and go on from there to encourage them to remove certain people from office so as to promote their own cause. Biblically speaking, Jezebel would have had no influence on Israel without Ahab. Every ‘Jezebel’ needs an ‘Ahab’ both to establish credibility and to pander to their need to exercise dominion. Often it is husbands, wives or pastors who fall into this category. Jackson shows the pressure and manipulation that the Jezebel spirit exerts on husbands or wives, who almost always end up serving as ‘Ahabs’.Without whom these people would have no credibility – or the inflated self esteem to do what they do. Ahab bespeaks a mind-set that avoids confrontation and denies fault. The spirit of Ahab loves the position it has and fears confrontation. Someone with an Ahab spirit would rather make peace at any cost, even if it leads to making extreme compromises.” People who follow someone with a Jezebel spirit tend to be emotionally dependent. They have a great inner drive to have a special relationship with someone to make up for their own woundedness. Instead of developing into a healthy intimacy, however, they seek to enmesh and merge with this other person. ‘The attempt to fill the loneliness and lack of self-love drives them into co-dependent and often abusive relationships.’

These relationships aren't always sexual. Some in church leadership, for example, are coworker relationships whereby the JS helps out "Ahab" by doing jobs for him that he doesn't like to do. This allows the JS to work his way up the ladder, or be able to exert his authority from a smaller position. They don't always have to have the big job. They are satisfied with running things without a title as long as they are the hub, and not a spoke. They use their "Ahab" as a conduit of power to accomplish their goals.
 
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GreenNnice

Guest
#26
The Curse From The Seduction Of Jezebel. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols (Revelation 2:20). Belial works with the spirit of Jezebel to seduce the servants of the Lord into fornication and idolatry. Jezebel can manifest through false teachings and is a seducing spirit. Again, the intent is to draw people away from the truth and cause them to go into error, causing bondage and curses and bringing upon them the judgment of God.
The spirit of Jezebel puts Christians following Christ into a 'fear' state,too, this is truth from Scripture where Elijah was hiding in a cave and did not want to live anymore, this means, Elijah wanted to die. THAT is how powerful an aversive feeling can become, and, we do NOT battle against flesh and blood, we battle against the principalities of DARKNESS, which are the demons, therefore, that is what's meant by Jezebel being a 'demon' in my above post. She is someone who is doing Satan's work, she is The Devil's :( Her spirit is not of Christ, what I was trying to digest from stephenspeaks good thread is why a 'Jezebel spirit' would be seemingly doing good. I don't see this. I only have Scripture to relate from but I see nowhere that Jezebel did anything deceptive. She just flat-out KILLED 'the Lord's prophets' and that is why I say 'fear,' and, let's add, it's not just any fear that a demon of The Devil's can put us into, it is a 'deathly fear.' :(


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Yes, unclefes, I do mean well, I was just answering what you said, about one who 'prophesies incorrectly,' there is no gRAY AREA, it is B&W , you will KNOW that something someone says is prophesying good for your church, or, you, by virtue of the fact it comes true. Something to keep in mind, too, what someone says to you may KEEP you from going toward a direction that would KILL or HURT you in life. So, by virtue of hearing their prophesying, you detour from where what may have been a discovery of pain, suffering, etc. that you would have went through had you not, ON FAITH, deviated from the WRONG path you were on.

Again, this is doctrine in a sense, but, it is FAITH, too, faith in His leading, a real life situation that we are to understand, I think, for our own lives NOW :)
Evil can, indeed, chase us !!! Hey, Eliljah wanted to die and very well may have just curled up in that cave , tired of the chasing of Jezebel after him, 'I can't take it anymore' is even what I believe Elijah said. To think ! Elijah was a WRECK, even AFTER having seen God bring that altar fire to life and debunked the Baal worshippers' gods and killed them worshippers too. It is AMAZING how much God does for us and we STILL can have a lack of faith !!! We humans !! Ugh!!!!! :( But, God still Loves us :)


-------------------

It's important that we don't make this Jezebel spirit into some special case scenario, too, I think, we just need to realize that her spirit is alive and well in society today, it is a controlling spirit, it is a demeaning spirit, it is a spirit that wants to see you GIVE UP :( Don't :) Greater is He who is IN you than he (The Devil) who is in the world.

The Devil is NEVER in you, he is NOT with that power, only God can be IN US, but, The Devil's spirit DOES influence us to do things that we KNOW are wrong in having chosen Christ and IF you let those things beat you they will CRUSH your faith in Him, and, NO, I did not say your salvation. I just said, they will weaken you and where you go from there is, hopefully, on your knees, praying to God to help you, through faith, to return to His 'Love' influence for your life. IN Jesus' name I pray for His forgiving, encompassing power over your life, that you SEE, just like to the Israelites manna, direction, God is there for you, providing. Do NOT complain. Just go, by faith He's given you, be led by Him :)

The Lord leads :)
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#27
I was thinking of the NIV translation of the verse,


The NIV translators apparently took the wording there to mean 'Satan's so-called deep secrets.' Of course the NIV is the kind of translation that often chooses an interpretation if the meaning is ambiguous rather than preserving the ambiguity in the translation.



There is no evidence that the original OT Jezebel claimed to be a prophetess or to hear from Yahweh, so I don't see your criteria here as legitimate reason to suspect someone of being a Jezebel. John, who was writing the passage, was receiving supernatural revelation, and the book continues on to talk about certain prophets. So believing God can communicate is not a fair reason to suspect someone of being a Jezebel.

I wasn't quoting the NIV.
Regardless, I'll concede the deep things of Satan thing, simply because it seems like a stupid issue to quibble over.

I won't concede the link between Jezebel and someone claiming to be a prophet/prophetess who claims to hear from God and speak for him. I'll even use the KJV to show that John is clearly linking the two.

Rev 2:20
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols
 
Aug 15, 2009
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#28
@ GreenNnice,

The JS is more than a fear monger. It can also bring with it depression, anxiety, hopelessness, etc. Those affected by it by being around it become spiritually drained.
 
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GreenNnice

Guest
#29
stilledwater:
What are the traits of Jezebel according to Rev 2:18-29?
I'll give the summary first and then the verses.

SUMMARY

1. Claims to be hearing from, and speaking for God, under the office of prophetess. Verse 20
2. Teaches and deceives people to commit sexual immorality. Verse Verse 20
3. Teaches and deceives people into eating meat sacrificed to idols. Verse 20
4. Commits adultery. Verse 22
5. Knows the deep things of Satan. Verse24
Where in Scipture, in the Old Testament, in Kings, does Jezebel claim to be speaking for God?
Where in Scripture, in the Old Testament, in Kings, does Jesebel teach and deceive people to commit sexual immorality?
and, do the same questioning for 3,4,5.

I think the Jezebel Spirit, if you want to label it that, is simply a part of the principalities and powers fold that Satan uses to discourage us from doing the Lord's work in our life, just like was noted in an earlier post of mine, referring to Elijah in the cave, telling God he was ready to die and couldn't take it anymore. God then brought an angel with honeycake and water and a message to Elijah. God doesn't give up on us , and, becomes even more prevalent (visionary?) in our life when we are at our wits end AND in the process of doing His work for us, which is exactly what Elijah was doing :)

Stilledwater, stephenspeaks, I see what is being said of Revelation and church of Thyatira but I don't think, truly, that it relates to the characteristics and attributes of the true Jezebel of the bible and this is the person that we should understand can become a demonic spirit TYPE putting us into bondage thinking in our life.

We are to tell these spirits that are attacking us and debriding our faith in Him, trying, anyway, to get behind us and get away from us and we do this 'in the name of Jesus' as I believe. They may deceive us too, as stephenspeaks says, with 'flattery' or what else words said, but we are to ask them if they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and if they do not answer, we are to rebuke them, using 'in the name of Jesus,' just as 1 John 4 tells us to do. This is 'faith,' this is following His Word, and, it will work with any spirit that wants to deceive us, put fear into us, attack our faith, including a spirit with the persona of the bible's Jezebel .
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#30
stilledwater:

Where in Scipture, in the Old Testament, in Kings, does Jezebel claim to be speaking for God?
.
Check out what a new testament author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, linked Jezebel to.

Rev 2:20
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.


Please don't tell me you're going to ignore a New Covenant, inspired writer who linked Jezebel to a prophetess. ie someone who claims to hear directly from God, then speaks for God.

That's right there in the NT and in the KJV.
It's gotta be right if it's the KJV right?
It's even there in other translations.

God gave us more than the OT.
 
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Abiding

Guest
#31
one of the top 5 Pentecostal cliches.
and boy what damage it has caused.
call me suspicious. :p
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#32
I don't understand quotes like these that act like the NT doesn't exist, or isn't authoritative on this topic also.

Where in Scipture, in the Old Testament, in Kings, does Jezebel claim to be speaking for God?
Link--> http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/69030-jezebel-spirit-2.html#post1114612

There is no evidence that the original OT Jezebel claimed to be a prophetess or to hear from Yahweh,
Link--> http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/69030-jezebel-spirit-2.html#post1114564

But it's right there, by an inspired writer of the NT.
It's called the WHOLE counsel of God.


[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,160
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#33
I won't concede the link between Jezebel and someone claiming to be a prophet/prophetess who claims to hear from God and speak for him. I'll even use the KJV to show that John is clearly linking the two.

Rev 2:20
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols
Jezebel is a name from the Old Testament. This passage in Revelation is not the first time it shows up. The Old Testament Jezebel, as far as we know, never claimed to be a prophetess. It would be extremely unlikely that she would have claimed to have been a prophetess of Yahweh, since she was trying to stamp out the worship of the true God in favor of worshipping a statue they called Ba'al.

My point is that being a prophetess is not what Jezebel was all about. The connection between this woman who called herself a prophetess and Jezebel was promoting fornication and the eating of food offered to idols-- standard pagan practices. The worship of Ba'al of Peor also involved seducing people through fornication.

There is nothing in this passage about 'that woman Jezebel' being a template or a type of spirit that we see in every church.
 
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GreenNnice

Guest
#34
@ GreenNnice,

The JS is more than a fear monger. It can also bring with it depression, anxiety, hopelessness, etc. Those affected by it by being around it become spiritually drained.
Yes, I see that Elijah became depressed , to the point of nearly committing suicide, as he told God he wanted to die. And, yes, anxiety and hopelessness too are a part of a Jezebel spirit getting inside someone.

----- This 1 Kings 19 verse explains Elijah's desire to withdraw from life because of the foreboding power of Jezebel on his life:

1Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3Elijah was afraid[SUP] a[/SUP] (fear, anxiety) and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. (hopelessness, depression)

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9There he went into a cave and spent the night.


God returns our 'dead' thoughts to strength when we do understand that we can do nothing without Him. Though Elijah's thoughts in the cave itself do not. at that very time, mirror one in a state of trusting in God one bit, the fact that Elijah earlier was on that mountain with all those Baal worshippers and Asheroth Jezebel persecuters says it ALL. That took great faith by Elijah to follow through with that 'altar scene,' and, God took mercy on Elijah when he was at his wit's end in that cave.

This is WHY it is important to follow the Lord in all we do, because AFTER we may've done something great that the Lord wants us to do and then we are thinking we can't handle a situation after that 'high' of seeing the results of obedience to Him, we will be given mercy. This is why we need to forgive others, it is soooo important to do this little act toward those in our lives that have wronged us. And, God says that He will NOT forgive you IF you have not forgiven others. We are NOT cleansed from unrighteousness IF we do not confess our sins to Christ, and, so it goes, in so many words, Christ wants us to have the strength to confess our wrongs to others we MAY have wronged. Maybe, we didn't wrong them but God STILL wants us to move in that way. You will know, He will put that feeling on your heart; guys have a MUCH harder time doing this than girls, but, we need to do it ,too :) Matthew 5:22.

Follow Him. The Lord leads, and, He will NEVER desert you :) Hebrews 13:5
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,160
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#35
I don't understand quotes like these that act like the NT doesn't exist, or isn't authoritative on this topic also.


Link--> http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/69030-jezebel-spirit-2.html#post1114612


Link--> http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/69030-jezebel-spirit-2.html#post1114564

But it's right there, by an inspired writer of the NT.
It's called the WHOLE counsel of God.


[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
I'm talking about the literal woman Jezebel of the Old Testament, who was literally dead (but not buried), when Revelation 2 was written. Our Lord did refer to 'that woman Jezebel' who was troubling a church as well. But I am saying there is no evidence that Ahab's wife claimed to be a prophetess, and if she had-- which scripture doesn't teach-- it would make more sense that she was claiming to be a prophetess of Ba'al rather than the LORD. But that would be speculation.

The similarity between the Old Testament Jezebel and the false prophetess of Revelation 2 is promoting fornication and the eating of meat offered to idols.
 
Aug 15, 2009
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#36
I personally do not like to use the term Jezebel spirit, but so far it's the only one that everyone can seemingly relate to. I wish there was a better term. I think the term itself is confusing. Perhaps the spirit of narcissism should be used. That one makes more sense to me. The two I believe are one and the same. Narcissism I believe is a spiritual problem, for the simple fact is there's no medicine to treat it.
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#37
I think if we're looking for a NT application and perspective of Jezebel, then we really should start by looking for clarity from a New Covenant inspired writer who wrote on this topic.

He clearly wrote that Jezebel will claim the office of prophetess, which implies it's someone who claims to have direct communication/revelation/etc from God, and then speaks as if they are speaking forth verbatim the words of God.

Then John clarifies further the link to sexual immorality, and eating food sacrificed to idols.

That's the new covenant template the Holy Spirit has given his church in regards to looking for Jezebels in his church.

I'll paste it again..but this time from the KJV ;)
Just cuz I'm all about being all things to all people :p

[SUP]20 [/SUP]Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#38
I'm talking about the literal woman Jezebel of the Old Testament, who was literally dead (but not buried), when Revelation 2 was written. Our Lord did refer to 'that woman Jezebel' who was troubling a church as well. But I am saying there is no evidence that Ahab's wife claimed to be a prophetess, and if she had-- which scripture doesn't teach-- it would make more sense that she was claiming to be a prophetess of Ba'al rather than the LORD. But that would be speculation.

The similarity between the Old Testament Jezebel and the false prophetess of Revelation 2 is promoting fornication and the eating of meat offered to idols.
The new testament gives clarity on new covenant applications for things.

I highly doubt a new covenant Jezebel is going to go about slaughtering prophets like the OT one.
John gives Christians new covenant applications, considering that in the church there won't be literal slaughter and such.
 
Aug 15, 2009
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#39
@ GreenNnice,

If you notice, that's the only place in the Bible where Elijah was fearful. After his special meal, it seemed like he was back to his old self where he had left off.

I think even now when discussing this topic, we should be careful if we suspect someone has it. Just like kids playing with a Ouija board, such dabbling can get a person in a mess of trouble. One should walk in an earnest fear of the Lord before dealing with it, for it is indeed, no matter what name you call it, a demon.