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Special Message Notes from the
2005 Regional Minister's Convention






Discerning the Jezebel Spirit
Bishop Danny L. Carter
Regional Overseer, IN/KY/OH


Elijah was a man born into one of the darkest times of Israel’s history.  His calling in life was literally to turn an entire nation back to God.  At that time, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, ruled the nation of Israel.  However, they served the Canaanite idols Baal and Ashtoreth.  In her rampage, Jezebel murdered the Lord’s prophets, and replaced them with the gods of 800 occult priests and soothsayers, who’s only thoughts were to serve their own bellies.  Because of this action, only 7,000 Israelites were considered faithful to the Lord, out of ten million.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus confronts this same influence in the Church at Thyatira:

Revelations 2:18,20,23
“These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like
burnished bronze.  I know your deeds, your love, your faith, your service, and perseverance, and
that you are now doing more than you did at first.  Nevertheless, I have this against you:  You
tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess… I will strike her children dead
(Those in her influence who don’t know any better – which also kills the possibility of this spirit
passing to another generation of leadership). 

Before we can discern this Jezebel spirit, we must understand that this spirit can only flourish where an Ahab spirit is found.  In other words, the Ahab spirit and the Jezebel spirit co-exist.


What is the Ahab Spirit?

This sprit is very Passive. 

Webster says that one who is “Passive” is  1.)  not active, but acted
upon.  2.)   not resisting; yielding; submissive.

This spirit knowingly or unknowingly abdicates or relinquishes
authority.  This spirit avoids confrontation and denies fault.  This spirit
would rather make peace at any cost, even if it leads to an unholy
alliance, just so everything goes smoothly.  An individual under the
influence of an Ahab spirit often makes truces instead of covenants.
One might ask, “How can one knowingly make a truce with someone
whose goal is to destroy you?”  It is Impossible!!!  An Ahab spirit will
always sacrifice the future good for peace today (I Kings 21:25).


The next question is … What is the Jezebel spirit?

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that the spirit of Jezebel operates in conjunction with principalities and powers that torment people.  This spirit causes one’s rational, and/or reasoning process to deteriorate and manifest it’s self by manipulation, and control.  The longer someone operates in a controlling and manipulative way without repenting, the stronger this spirit grows.  Eventually, it becomes a way of life.  If left unchecked, this spirit can escalate into a murderous spirit towards anyone who gets in it’s way.

Let me reiterate:  The Ahab (passive) spirit, and the Jezebel (controlling) spirit must co-exist.

Now, let’s look at the unholy alliance formed between Ahab and Jezebel.

The name Jezebel is Phoenician in origin and means “unhusbanded.”  Although she was married to Ahab, her lack of submission proved that true marriage meant nothing to her.  Jezebel submitted to no one.  Instead, she required everyone to submit to her!  Her heart was not in her marriage.  It was only an alliance to enable her to become not only the Queen, but in essence, the acting King!  She had the answers to all the King’s problems!  She thought nothing of eliminating someone to achieve her objective.  She was intimidating with razor-sharp thorns.  She was impossible to ignore – because to do so would cost you your life. 

Today, how can we tolerate this kind of spirit?  The person may exhibit leadership qualities that we might think might cause The Church to grow.  They may speak eloquently, or have skills to bring power and prosperity to The Church in general.  However, to strike a compromise will weaken God-given authority.  Remember, Ahab’s passive spirit was exactly what gave Jezebel her lethal powerbase.

The Church of God cannot become indecisive and non-confrontational simply from fear that the discerning of this spirit would cause a polarization of The Church.  It takes great courage to confront this spirit.  Leadership who retreat from uncovering this spirit will bring injury upon God’s people by inadvertently allowing an increased rule of this spirit.  As long as the issue is avoided, the problem will only worsen.

Where am I going?  Stick with me…

What was Jezebel’s strategy?

She sought to gain control by wedging herself between the people and the prophetic leader!  She presented herself to those she wished to persuade with cunning words and actions (Proverbs 7:21-23).  Ahab probably felt swallowed up or suffocated by her, therefore his passivity seemed to preserve him.


I Corinthians 4:1-12 – The apostle Paul commanded the Church in Corinth to remove one who succumbed to this spirit.  Paul knew that one man’s sin would corrupt the entire body.  This was the situation facing the Church at Thyatira.  Jezebel’s influence was corrupting the Church and defiling many.  She and her influence had to be identified and removed in order to prevent the entire Church from being defiled and disgraced.  By allowing an individual influenced by a Jezebel spirit to remain in leadership, the leaders were causing God to judge not only Jezebel but the Church as well (Revelations 2:22).

Revelations 2:24 indicated the singular weight of importance that God gave to removing this spirit.  The fact that God referred to this action as “a burden” was proof that it was not going to be easy!

It certainly was not an easy task for Elijah, who was sent by God to discern and uncover this horrible spirit.  The cry of this Minister’s Convention is “Lord, Grant a Double Portion” (2 Kings 2).  We desire and seek for a double portion of God’s spirit in
The Church of God.   God’s Spirit will equip us for whatever task is necessary to defend and preserve the Truth.  Let’s look at the mandate of God, which faced Elijah.

Ahab was the Rightful King!  But he erred in the way, in that he took alliance with Jezebel.

1.)   The first thing Elijah did in I Kings 17:1, was he warned King Ahab of the lack of rain
      or dew for three years.  The second purpose for informing Ahab of the impending
      drought was to show God’s power.  During this drought, God provided for the prophet
      at the brook Cherith (17:3).  How wonderful to know that God takes care of those who
      are His.

2.)   Next, Elijah visited a woman who baked him a cake and he was filled.  God takes
      care of His prophets!  Later, the prophet Elijah stretched himself upon a dead child
      three times, at which time life returned!


I Kings 17:22 tells us,

     “and the Lord heard the voice of Elijah…”

Now, before this time, Jezebel had sought to kill the prophets of God (I Kings 18:4).  Obadiah, who was the governor of King Ahab’s House, hid the prophets of the Lord by 50, in caves, and fed them bread and water.  We should never be afraid of evil.  God will preserve those who obey Him.

In Verse 8, Elijah introduces himself and this begins his journey to uncover this co-existing alliance of Ahab and Jezebel.


In Verse 17, the 1st thing Ahab accused Elijah of was,

      “Art thou the one who troubleth Israel?”

Somehow – he could not see that in all actuality, he and his wife were the real trouble in Israel.  Elijah was causing “spiritual trouble” by upsetting the playhouse of this unholy alliance. 


Isaiah 59:19 says,

      “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard
      against him.”


I Kings 18:45 tells us that after the drought was over, and it began to rain as Elijah had said, Ahab went and told Jezebel, which made her furious.  Why did this make her furious?  Because anytime God performs an act against sin or wrong, the enemy is stirred up.  Anytime God’s people begin to believe and receive, the enemy is stirred up.  Why?  Because his playhouse is being disrupted.

I Kings 19:2 tells us that Jezebel threatened Elijah and said in essence, “because you were right… you’re going to die!” Elijah began to fear for his life!  He hid under a juniper tree (sound familiar? – Our ministers are hiding behind court orders, membership transfers, etc.).

But suddenly (Verse 5), an angel touched him!  And touched him the second time!  Why?  Because the journey he faced was too great!  Remember, the act of removing this spirit was referred to in Revelation as “a burden.”  This supernatural strength lasted 40 days and 40 nights.  He finally made it to a cave, and God’s voice asked, (Verse 9),

      “What are you doing here?”

Elijah began to rehearse the threats and evil actions, which had been taken upon the prophets of God for speaking against this spirit.  God answered in a “still small voice.”


Verse 13 – When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering of the cave (where he could be seen – he came out of hiding!).
Again, God asked him (Verse 14),

      “What are you doing here?” or “What are you waiting for?”

Elijah poured out his heart and soul to God, and explained that he felt like he was the only one left, to proclaim His Word.


Verse 16 – God told Elijah to “go” (listen now) and,

      “appoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to be King over Israel”  And, “Appoint Elisha, the
      son of Shaphat, to be prophet in thy room.”


Verse 18 – God revealed to Elijah 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal or Jezebel.


Verse 19 – 

      “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with
      12 yoke of oxen before him, and he with the 12th: and Elijah passed by him, and cast
      his mantle upon him.”


Verse 20 –

      “And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, let me, I pray thee, kiss my
      mother and father, and then I will follow thee.”


I Kings 21:17-29 tells how Elijah proclaimed the downfall and death of Ahab and Jezebel.  But we find that Ahab repented.  Why?  Because Jezebel is the driving force in this unholy alliance.

Now, why did God command Elijah to anoint Jehu King, and Elisha as prophet, to take his place?  Because the voice of the prophet alone cannot get the job done!  It takes the proper channels of authority to stand against sin.  The mission of Elijah was to simply Discern and Uncover the spirit of Jezebel.  The mission of Jehu, KING of Israel, was to destroy Jezebel.  This tells me that we must remain in the proper avenues of government.

It takes a prophet and a King to destroy this spirit.

We, as ministers and members, do not function in the office of King – but we are to function in the office as Prophet, as the Holy Ghost leads, directs, and confirms!  The King (proper authority) must do the job!  (We need a Presbytery Meeting)

Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire, and God left a King (Jehu) and a prophet (Elisha) to carry on in Israel.  The Church of God has the responsibility to “Carry On.”


Numbers 33: 55-56 says,

      “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall
      be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your
      sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.  Moreover, it shall be
      that I will do to you and I thought to do them…”


Any thorn left in the body will cause infection unless it is removed.  The longer it is ignored, the greater the spread of infection.  If neglected, the infection can spread and lead to amputation – or even worse – death.

To resolve the matter of a Jezebel spirit, God requires His leadership to remove this thorn that infects the Body.  Godly confrontation is necessary in order for conviction and true repentance to occur.  Only the Holy Ghost can accomplish this.  We cannot force repentance upon anyone, because we are not “The Convictor.”  We must prophesy, and we must pray.  The Prophet cannot get the job done alone – he must have the cooperation and favor of the King.

Jehu was the ruler of the longest lived Dynasty of Israel, and was anointed by Elisha and given a mandate by God to eliminate Jezebel and the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7).  Jehu wasted no time in carrying out his assignment.  At Jehu’s command, Jezebel’s own servants threw her down from her lofty perch on the city’s walls.  They were able to carry out Jehu’s orders, in order that the true watchman of God could stand (2 Kings 9:33).


Conclusion:

In this hour, I pray that Godly leadership will arise in strength.  I pray that with courage, they will lay an axe at the root of this spirit that seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

As God’s People – we need to love what He loves, and hate what He hates.  We do not need to shrink back and become afraid of addressing and correcting lawlessness and rebellion that defiles the Body of Christ.






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Copyright (c) Bishop Danny L. Carter & The Church of God in IN, KY, OH |  Created & Maintained by Chad D. Carter & OnCoursePublishing.com
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