Seven Demons That Attack The Church, Part 2

Seven Demons that Attack the Church, Part 2

IV The Spirit of Jezebel And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance , and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.20 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.26 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations...Rev 2:18-20, 26 (NASB)

A This spirit is a spirit of control.

1 1 Kings tells us of Jezebel’s marriage to King Ahab. It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him. 1 Kings 16:31 (NASB)

a She demanded a “hit” on Naboth to get his vineyard.

b She hated the prophets (men of God).

aa ...for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.) 1 Kings 18:4 (NASB) Obadiah

bb Drove Elijah to depression & suicidal thoughts.

c Jezebel’s character was controlling, wicked, sexually immoral, murderous & demonic.

2 Her spirit is still found in congregations when we find those who want to control, manipulate, and subvert the men & women of God.

B Five facts about the Jezebel spirit:

1 Recognizing the spirit (man or woman)

a Some think it’s a woman who dresses in a certain (sexual) manner. False!

b This is a spirit of domination & unwillingness to cohabit peacefully.

c When you find a spirit of Jezebel, you’ll also find a “Ahab” nearby, someone in leadership who is allowing this spirit access & control.

2 The strategy of Jezebel (manipulation)

a In 1 Kings 21, we learn King Ahab pouted when he didn’t get his way (wanted Naboth’s vineyard)-laid on his bed & sulked.

b Jezebel assured him he’d have it!

aa Had Naboth killed, seized property to gain power.

bb She introduced Baal worship-would do anything to advance her agenda.

3 The seat of Jezebel. 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols

a When the spirit of Jezebel begins to manifest in a church, it seeks a high seat in the church, or a place of dominance.

aa Usually, it will manifest in someone who wants to lead, teach, be a deacon (but not everyone who wants to do these things are under this spirit’s influence).

bb For Jezebel to get these positions, it must act & appear spiritual.

b Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action,2 and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.3 They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" Num 16:1-3 (NASB) I believe Korah operated under the Jezebel spirit...wanted to be the preacher! God called Moses, pastors. When church members see the pastor as just another member, their hireling...the Jezebel spirit is present.

aa Korah, with Dathan & Abiram as his power core, with 250 other princes as structure under them.

bb Moses took immediate action-fell on his face before God & prayed. ...is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;10 and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also? Num 16:9-10 (NASB)

cc Judgment came to this Jezebel spirit.

• Korah & two leaders devoured by an earthquake.

• Their followers were consumed by fire.