Don’t Tolerate Jezebel

John wrote to the seven churches in Revelations the words of Jesus Christ, to bear witness before his second coming. John wrote to the church in Thyatira about their love, patience and endurance. Nevertheless, what was held against them was their tolerance of the spirit of Jezebel. “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:21). If we look back at the story concerning Jezebel in the Old Testament, this will give us some context into her character and personality. Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, who did more evil in the sight of the Lord than any King before him.

The scripture makes reference to Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel, being even more intolerable to God on top of his other sins. This is because Jezebel was a Sidonite who worshipped Baal. “He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria”(1 Kings 16:32). Jezebel encouraged Ahab to commit great depravity such as to set up Naboth, have him executed and take his vineyard. She also killed the prophets of God and established her own prophets of Baal. Jezebel also promoted the worship of Asherah which is the female goddess of fertility. As the name suggests, this god promotes sexual promiscuity and sexual immorality.

What we can deduce from the scriptures about the characteristics of Jezebel include; sexual promiscuity, control and manipulation, idolatry, a hatred of the prophets and the prophetic anointing, a hatred of spiritual authority and setting itself up as a true prophet of God. The Jezebel spirit will not submit to authority and if left unchecked, will destroy the church and ministry. God’s response to Jezebel and anyone who tolerates her is quite clear. “Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works”(Revelation 2:22). One of the forms of adultery which Jezebel commits is spiritual adultery, by polluting herself with other gods.

God is also clear about his response to her children or the seeds that flow from the Jezebel spirit. “and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:23). We have to be discerning to be able to identify this spirit in operation. Once we identify it, we don’t tolerate it, but start to come against it in prayer and intercession. We have authority to trample on any spirit that exalts itself against God. There are times when this spirit needs to be confronted and commanded to come out of its host. The Jezebel spirit is stubborn, deceptive and manipulative and uses fear and intimidation to try to maintain control.

Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus. We are not afraid of any of the strategies of the enemy. We are bold and fearless and we will bind on earth things that stand contrary to the will and purpose of God.

A.P.-Y.