Deadly Ploys

In the Star Trek episode, “A Taste of Armageddon,” an alien leader, Anan 7, took Captain Kirk prisoner. The alien contacted the spaceship, U. S. S. Enterprise, in a voice sounding like Kirk’s and ordered the ship’s shields lowered and everyone on board beamed down to the planet. Upon their arrival, the alien intended to kill them all. Scotty was in command of the ship.  When he heard the order, he sensed that something was wrong.  Scotty asked the computer to analyze the voice. It affirmed that the voice came from a voice duplicator and not from Captain Kirk.

Like Anan 7, a Jezebel spirit may speak in a prophetic voice that sounds familiar, but it turns out to be counterfeit.  Just as God he knew his captain’s voice, so Believers need to discern the voice of their Commander, the Lord of hosts, from that of the enemy.

It is difficult to pinpoint how the powers of darkness deceive and counterfeit God’s voice or presence. Demonic spirits may sound spiritual.  They may even use Scripture to achieve their goals.  A discerning ear, however, will detect both accuracy and motive.

In the beginning, these people may start out by saying right things in wrong ways.  They may believe that God has specifically chosen them, when in fact, their grandiose ideas may stem from voids in their life. In time, they will begin to believe their relationship with God is more spiritual than the relationship others have with the Lord.

The apostle Paul gave this admonition to Timothy:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:15-18)

In this passage, Timothy is warned to “shun profane and idle babblings” because they will spread like cancer. Although Paul is speaking of people spreading heresy, the same principle can be applied to those operating under a Jezebel spirit.  Like those who promote heresy, individuals who operate with a Jezebel spirit sow falsehood, division, strife, and discord in “the name of the Lord.”

In order to combat this corruption and divisiveness, we must become like Timothy, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  The Greek word used for “divide” in this passage is orthotomeo, which means literally to “dissect correctly.”  Therefore, with the gift of discernment, we can correctly dissect the hidden motives of someone operating under a Jezebel spirit.

Defensive Posturing

When confronted with the matters described above, an individual with a Jezebel spirit will usually respond with statements like, “I’m just trying to help” or “God told me to do this.”  Their response comes from an imagined sense of God’s will.  Offering such a response becomes a trump card because saying that God is the commissioner of the action should end all debate.  However, this dead-end logic must not be allowed.  The battle lies not in the realm of reason of fighting logic with logic.  It rests in the realm of the Spirit that divides between soul and spirit.

Tragically, many pastors have found themselves lacking the sharpness to overcome the persuasive arguments of a Jezebelite. Many pastors are too distracted with the activities demanded by their congregation.  Often the pastor has too little time to spend in the Word and in prayer.

Pastors are on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week. as a pastor, I have experienced and witnessed the enormous demands and pressures placed on these overseers. Eddie and Alice Smith accurately described this in their book, Intercessors and Pastors: The Emerging Partnership of Watchmen and Gatekeepers. Due to family and time constraints, many pastors are unable to discern someone’s correct application of Scripture or the spirit of error inspiring its misuse or distortion.

Unreasonable and Unyielding

Seeing themselves as spiritually superior, a Jezebelite often believes God has provided a hedge of protection around him or her, isolating them from any deceptive spirits.  Some even believe they are immune to sin and deception because of their “spiritual maturity.”  Believing they have been highly favored and chosen for some spiritual high place or position, such individuals conclude they have a divine, secret strength.  Thus, their emotional support comes from within their subjective experience, rather than from God and His written Word.

Eventually, such individuals become unteachable and unyielding.  Over time, they will become deceived to think they are infallible.  They become unable to listen to others, because others “have not had a direct revelation from God” like they have.  Therefore, to reason with them or to question them -- so they believe -- demonstrates the height of sin and carnality.  Such individuals usually demand blind obedience.

As I teach on this subject, I am always amazed by the number of individuals who share experiences of following someone with a Jezebel spirit.  They describe how the leader mystically reveals God supposed plan of action for them. bad then told what to do, when too fast, went to abstain from sexual intimacy with their spouse, and so on.  Some are even coerced by the Jezebelite into praying long hours and giving large sums of money.

Appealing to Others

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  (Proverbs 14:12)

Seeming to have great spiritual insight into church issues, individuals operating with a Jezebel spirit usually do not share these insights first with the pastor, according to biblical pattern. Instead, they share their insights with others, building a power base of support.  Clearly, this is a departure from Scripture.  In God’s Word, a prophet always went directly to the King -- not to the people -- following the proper protocol of leadership and God opened the door of access to that realm.

It is actually a spirit of rebellion that drives these people to take their insight about the church directly to others.  Perhaps the revelation comes from a genuine word of knowledge or a word of wisdom.  But when individuals overstep their boundaries, their revelations have become mixed with their soul and becomes corrupted.

Pastors need to notice the little foxes that destroy the church vine (Song of Solomon 2:15).  Such care taking does take time, which few pastors half.  However, until lawlessness is addressed, that leaven will continue to permeate until the whole lump -- or church -- is leavened.

Individuals who give way to a Jezebel spirit do not perceive the value of praying revelation versus speaking it. Deceived by ulterior motives, these individuals appeal directly to others.  In doing so, their realm of influence is broadened and the spiritual mysteries they espouse are admired.  Thereby, such individuals come to expect honor and adulation from others.

How can you believe, who received honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God.  (John 5:44).

Alleging mystical insights, an individual with a Jezebel spirit will rarely find things going well in a church. Wanting others to become dependant upon his or her input, the person must prove spiritual maturity that even surpasses that of the pastor. Thereby, the Jezebelite’s followers will keep their eyes upon their new spiritual leader. Consequently, the Jezebelite will demand to have the “last word” in many church matters.

Individuals operating with a Jezebel spirit will generally be tuned to the latest books, tapes, or messages by various national, spiritual leaders. However, Jezebelites will distort and take out of context certain elements within messages in order to endorse their own teaching. Thus, the original words or teachings are misused and laid open to criticism because of how they are erroneously retold.

Brian pastered a large church which also had one of the strongest Christian schools in the state. One of his intercessory prayer leaders had begun to tell several mothers in the school that they were married to the wrong man. She said that for these women’s well being and that of their children, they needed to divorce their husbands. If they would do this, within one year their “God-appointed” soul mates would appear. Several marriages were thus impacted because they already had existing problems in the marriages. The intercessory leader who had gained a “following” had convinced everyone that she was hearing from God.

Often individuals with a Jezebel spirit eagerly seek to minister prophetically to people, driven by a need for affirmation.  They seek out people to proclaim revelation, hoping to gain favor and a devoted following.  Mature prophetic voices, on the other hand, seldom seek out people because it drains them immensely. Only when God directs him or her will a mature prophetic individual step forward and minister.

Unfortunately, many who follow a Jezebelite are often new Christians or those naïve about spiritual gifts. The naiveté of these new believers is badly exploited. They often become filled with delusions of grandeur that will only occur if they submit and follow Jezebel. Over time, spiritual strain is often heavily placed on young or immature believers. however once they expressed loyalty, Jezebelite will do “an about face.”

Much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a Jezebelite might tell some about their remarkable spiritual gifts that Jezebelite alone can develop.  Then, as they express their spiritual insights, the Jezebelite scolds them for supposed errors or immaturities because the Jezebelite must always maintain the upper hand.  Spiritual confusion ensues and replaces healthy spiritual development. This ploy is designed to keep followers dependent on Jezebel, trapped in low self-esteem, and addicted to Jezebel’s teaching and charms.

Many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle. (2 Peter 2:2-3)

This ploy produces a toxic cycle that continually eats away at a person’s self-worth, leaving naïve young believers doubting that God speaks to anyone, including pastors and prophets. Consequently, the true prophetic office that God desires to restore is made suspect to those tainted early in their spiritual walk by the influence of a Jezebel spirit.  Whether in a home or in the church, a Jezebel spirit always damages trust in God’s true authority.

Private Prayer Sessions

When it comes to praying for individuals, Jezebel prefers private places.  In this way, hurtful innuendos, implications, and left-handed compliments that are spoken cannot be heard by others or directly challenged.  If confronted, these Jezebelites will usually deny having said anything, or insist they were misunderstood.  Consequently it is hard to catch Jezebelites undermining pastors, prophetic leaders, or churches.

It is also quite common for someone with a Jezebel spirit to show up in someone’s house without notice, saying the Lord told him or her to go pray for a particular need.  This need will often be somewhat elusive and nebulous.  There have been times when a Jezebelite will claim the prayers were answered.

without witnesses, a pastor will have little success trying to verify the specifics mentioned in these private settings.  Thereby, the Jezebelite manages to elude the evidence that a pastor needs to confront the issue. To establish the Jezebelite’s guilt, a pastor will need two or more witnesses.  Usually, if the pastor prayerfully waits and keeps track of specific issues, witness says will come forward and God will build the pastor’s case. Until then, a spirit of confusion acts as a smokescreen and clouds any confrontations made by a pastor. The Jezebelite will leave the confrontation unscathed, while the pastor is left embarrassed, shaking his or her head.

Seeking Others to Teach

“This is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back!” thought Steven who had put up with the woman’s constant demands to teach questionable material.  He could not prove it was scripturally wrong, and based on her righteous appearance and demeanor, Stephen had allowed the woman to form a home group for prophetic people.

But now she had crossed the line, mixing in Greek mythology and New Age teaching. She claimed that an angel of God had given her “the Golden Hammer of Thor” to hammer out and forge issues of the Kingdom.  Stephen wondered how an angel could have given that to her? Why did he let her continue teaching in church circles? Why didn’t he stop her two years ago, when she first approached him about teaching others? Now she had her fingers in everything.  Pulling her out of leadership roles would be like trying to pry an octopus’ tentacles off its prey. There just were not enough hands to go around.

Beneath the woman’s soft and gentle demeanor was a mixed up person whom, unfortunately, many considered to be the most spiritual person in the church. A few elders even considered her more pastoral in gifting than the pastor. Furthermore, she was spreading a lie that Stephen was only serving as pastor for the money.  She claimed that God would remove anyone -- including the pastor -- who dared come against her. recently, she had approached Stephen privately and demanded his resignation!  How could even detach the tentacles of this spirit, at this late date, without killing his church?

Twisting Scripture and Reworking Doctrines

… there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies. (2 Peter 2:1).

… by her teaching she misleads my servants.  (Revelation 2:20).

A person operating in a Jezebel spirit will seek to teach church doctrine in order to gain a controlling grip on the Body. However, their doctrines will be incomplete, inaccurate, and full of holes. Scripture will usually be taken out of context and misapplied.  Even if the person’s teaching begins correctly, in time it will deteriorate because it has no deep root. Gradually, a transition will occur.  Progressively, the Bible will be ignored, and mystical ways will take a more prominent role.

Often this person’s disciples become confused.  Those who are naïve will profess allegiance.  They will dismiss any questions or concerns initially, thinking they just don’t know enough Scripture.  Others will wonder: this person seems godly, how could his or her teaching not be from God?

Directly or indirectly, a Jezebel spirit will subtly spread doubts about the pastor, church leaders, and other prophetic individuals, especially those who do not endorse the Jezebelite.

Reckless Words

Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, says the Lord, and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness.  Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all. (Jeremiah 23:32).

Those with a Jezebel spirit will seek to gain credibility by speaking prophetic utterances.  However, these prophecies are the product of their own imaginations.  As God’s Spirit begins to lift off them and their reputation fades, they will take information they know and mix it into their soulish prophecies, telling people what they want to hear. The result will be a strange mixture of half-truths with a powerful allure. For example, obtaining a piece of information from outside sources, the Jezebelite will announce it to the pastor as if it were a prophetic word. When it comes to pass, the Jezebelite will appear to be a true prophet.  This practice is very manipulative and deceptive.  God hates it!

Likewise, individuals with a Jezebel spirit will prey on a pastor’s poor memory.  Because the pastor does not clearly remember word-for-word what was said, Jezebelites will twist or give “new” meanings to their previous prophecies. Thus, they will ensure that all of their prophecies are perceived as totally accurate.  They are not looking for accountability, or receptive to it.  Consequently, they will tend to be evasive and abrasive to truth, and dislike any demands for accuracy and accountability.  Rarely will they admit an error.  However, they may concede, only to survive and fight another day.

On the other hand, men and women with a prophetic calling will welcome accountability and demonstrate mutual submission as they grow in godliness. They will concede to making mistakes because they understand that a prophetic gift matures with time.

Due to the length of this particular lesson, we will continue with part two next week.