Kriston

Posts tagged with "jezebel"

Jezebel Reclarifications Part I

Friday, 25. September 2009, 15:12:02

JEZEBEL RECLARIFICATIONS
PART I
Kriston Couchey
August, 24 2007

What is this behemoth?
Jezebel – What is this behemoth power that seemingly rises from the very pit of hell itself? It has brought great ministers and ministries to the dust. It has hindered and opposed the work and will of God on the earth. It has usurped, undermined, and perverted the God given authority to men, women, churches, and movements intended to shake the very foundations of the earth. It has crumbled nations and dethroned kings and queens.

Meet the enemy - it is no demon
Reach over across your body and shake your opposite hand (if you have one). Let me introduce you to the source from which this power called Jezebel has the potential to rise. It is the uncrucified flesh of men, exerting it’s will into the affairs of God and man.

What about the “spirit” of Jezebel
You might say, “I hear people talk about the ‘spirit’ of Jezebel. You are telling me that this spirit does not exist?” Yes and No, the Jezebel that dominates most of the church today is not sourced in a demonic spirit, it is sourced in the fleshly desires of men for the pleasing of self. You might say the people who are afflicted with a “spirit” of Jezebel have (these are my terms) “a spiritual condition like that of Jezebel” spoken of in I Kings and Revelations 2:20-23. Now, to say there is not a demonic spirit that calls itself Jezebel would be foolish. But, to say this demonic spirit is responsible for the dead works of millions in Christendom is ludicrous.

The Jezebel Jesus Judges
Rev. 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give to every one of you according to your works. (AKJV)

Clearly the person spoken of here is not a demon. Jesus has even given her time to repent. He is not saying “you have a ‘Jezebel spirit’ in your midst.” He is calling a person Jezebel because they are like Jezebel in that they are leading God’s children astray from truth and into fleshly idolatry just as the Jezebel of Elijah’s day.

What about the demonic activity that I have experienced when confronting Jezebel?

Yes, I too have had demonic attacks directly related to dealing with Jezebel. And you will find any time you mess with people’s uncrucified flesh there are demonic forces surrounding wickedness that keep the person bound, and assist in propagating wickedness. These demonic forces will show up at times in the methods and tools used by Jezebel to further her own self centered agendas. But Jezebel needs no demonic help to resort to wicked means of operation. Here is a list of methods and tools used by people who are Jezebel.

Flattery- Flattery attempts to inject pride into people that puffs up their flesh and prepares them to receive the demands of their flesh as legitimate God given rights. It is the way in which a person who walks in the likeness of Jezebel brings others to join them on their journey of Spiritless endeavors promoting works of the flesh in the name of God.
Seduction- This involves compromise that takes people one small step at a time until before they know it they are no longer where they once were. By they time anyone confronts them with this fact they may have deceived themselves into thinking they are doing good. This method may lead to fornication and adultery.
Lying – This weapon is used to impress people with fictional exploits or to defame and discredit those who are walking in the true anointing, authority, and power of God. Many times it can work its magic also by causing bitterness in the one being attacked, causing much damage.
Intimidation – Like the Jezebel of old, who used intimidation on Elijah; this has the potential to literally shut down the anointing and word of the Lord to those who will let fear rule over them.
Controlling and Manipulating –This is how Jezebel keeps people in line and following even when they have lost all desire to do so. Fear of being in disobedience to God or being in rebellion to God is a great motivator that Jezebel uses to keep her flock intact and in line.
Great piety and holiness (set apartness) – Jezebels humbly make it known the great service they have done, how much they pray, and the great spiritual gifts and impartation they have received from God. This can involve some sort of special spiritual insight, power, or impartation they have that people must receive from them. Such as; deliverance, fullness, the Seven-fold Spirit of God etc. It is used to prey on the immature and to try to impress the mature.

There are probably more, but these are some tools of Jezebel I have encountered. I have even used some of these in my stints as Jezebel. Yes! Jezebel is ME uncrucified. It is self exerting it’s wanton desires over the affairs of God and man.

Like a contagious disease
This exalting of self called Jezebel is like a contagious disease that any who will tolerate it are affected by. It works like a slow poison, causing all who will tolerate it to start to be conformed to her image. Whole movements, ministries, denominations, and churches are emitting a death stench that rises as a result of her poisonous touch. She is not limited to the church either; many businesses, governments, clubs, societies, institutions, associations, etc., are rife with the smell of her brand of death and destruction.

Why this article?
The purpose of this article is to expose, confront, and help people recognize this wicked witch and to reject her. In Rev. 2:20-23, Jesus rebuked people that “tolerated” or “suffered” her and made it clear that He held them responsible.

Paul writes in Romans 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. (AV)

Making no provision for means we give it no room. No toleration for my flesh or yours.

In Him
KRISTON COUCHEY
kcouchey04@earthlink.net

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Systemic Enabling of Jezebel Part II

Friday, 24. August 2007, 23:46:49

Systemic, jezebel, structures, Church ...

THE SYSTEMIC ENABLING OF JEZEBEL
Part II
Kriston Couchey

What does SYSTEMIC ENABLING OF JEZEBEL mean?
The root word of “systemic” is system.

Two definitions for system are: 1 an established orderly way of doing something, or 2 the body, or a number of bodily organs, functioning together as a unit.
Systemic means: affecting the whole body as distinct from having a local effect
To enable is to: to provide somebody with the resources, authority, or opportunity to do something
Simply put, we have a body wide established way of doing things that gives Jezebel opportunity and authority in the church.

Old Testament example
Israel had entered the Promised Land. Moses was dead, Joshua was dead. God began to deal with them on the basis of His direct leadership rather then the leadership and direction of man.

Judges 17: 6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

The age of personal responsibility was upon the Israelites. Would they pass the test? They continued to follow after other gods and get themselves into trouble. They cried out to God and He sent them judges to deliver them and speak forth the decrees of the King. These judges were sent to restore the reign and word of God to the congregation. The people would follow Him for a while, and then they would follow wickedness. Once again God would send a deliverer. God wanted to people to be surrendered and obedient without having to raise up someone to fix everything. The use of Judges was a stopgap solution because of the unwillingness of the people to wholeheartedly follow the Lord. (Judges 2:11-19)

The Peoples choice
I Samuel 8: 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah, 5 And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons walk not in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

A System Like the World
Simply put, the people wanted the security of serving and following the leadership of a man rather then a God who was Holy and required loyalty and obedience. They opted for a system of governance that the nations (the world) around them had. They wanted a king to rule over them.

Enter Jezebel
Very quickly we see Saul take on the likeness of Jezebel (The fleshly desires of men). His focus becomes self absorbed. He is bent on defending and preserving his own dynasty. He makes decisions based on fear of man. He manipulates, intimidates, threatens, kills, and even resorts to using a medium. Now Israel is bound to a leader who is in rebellion against God.

Throughout the rest of the times of the kings of Israel, the responsibility of the people to follow God is hindered or helped based upon whether the king is following God, or going his own way and doing his own thing. Jezebel is now given opportunity to rule over the people.

New Testament Times
Psalm 145:13 Mem Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations.

As we read in Psalm 145, the established manner of God’s reign, and His desire to be king in the lives of individuals has not changed. Jesus certainly understood the nature of God’s reign, and men’s place. When asked by those who wanted to have the first and second places with him, Jesus responded:

Matt. 20:25 But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant; (WEY.)

Here it comes again
After Jesus ascends and the Spirit is poured out, it doesn’t take long before we see people start to follow the world’s way of doing things. Jesus, in Rev 2:6 and 2:14, Jesus decries the deeds and doctrines of the Nicolaitans. The word Nicolaitans means to “subdue, conquer or be victorious over the people.”

We see the first example of this influence in III John: Verse 9 I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will cause his deeds to be understood, speaking against us with malicious words, and not content with this, he does not receive the brethren and forbids those that desire to receive them and casts them out of the church.

John the beloved exposes the works of a man who assumed the role of leader and ruler of the people. Isn’t it odd that the pastor/leader doesn’t put a stop to this? But the early church didn’t work that way. The church was to be led by the Holy Spirit.

A New System of Church Governance
The first apostles were dead, and those that knew them also had passed away. The Nicolaitan way had finally won out, with the final blow being the raising up of the Church of Rome and its leader as the seat of power in the church. A system mimicking the world was established now with a king (pope), regional governors (arch bishops), city rulers (bishops) and tax collectors (priests/pastors). In the Orthodox east a similar system is set in place.

Jezebels playground
Now Jezebel (the flesh driven will of men) had authority and opportunity to express her will in the church. In the Roman church, men had to pay for forgiveness, blessing, and even the licenses to commit sin. No more did the people have a voice in the church, but the Pope’s word was law. God became inaccessible to the common man apart from going through the priest. Men became completely dependant upon the church for any spiritual life at all.

Birthing of new things
A stirring of the Holy Spirit brings life to those willing to accept truth outside of the precepts of the Church. The reformation restored truths to the people that gave them a faith for salvation that was not dependant upon a man. Luther’s revelation was the first drops of rain in a flood of change that was about to come.

Looking like their mother
Though much has changed, in structure the church groups that emerged and still are emerging remain like their mother, the Church of Rome. Much was lost over the Dark Ages. The slave like mindset of needing a human leader is set as doctrinal certainty in most of her children.

The manner of collecting money, setting a pulpit for the “one” in charge, and the theater like seating arrangements, became sacred structural necessities that continue to rob the people of God of their dignity to this day. The making of church as “a place to go to”, instead of being the “people”, made the “place” sacred and the people only as sacred as their faithfulness to come to that place.

Like the kings of Israel
Like the kings of Israel, when the pastor or church leader follows the voice of God the people are helped in their spiritual growth. When the pastor or leader follows their flesh and become Jezebel the people are hindered. But thankfully, the design God has for the church does not include a leader or pastor leading a church and giving it direction. That is the job of the Holy Spirit.

Perpetual subjection
The mandate of the mature (elders) to care for, train and watch over the immature and weak was never intended to be for the perpetual subjection of people.

Consider the purpose of ascension gifts given by Paul in Ephesians 4:11-14: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

A father would never continue to subject their grown child to themselves, but rather, they rejoice in the maturity and grace of a child weaned and raised to stand on their own two feet; a mature adult like themselves. But this is not the case in God’s Church. We subject people to a second class citizenry for life.

Worse yet, this inappropriate leadership is rarely questioned when decisions are made that are clearly flesh driven and self serving. Jezebel dominates God’s people and rules freely throughout this perverted system patterned after the world, and we know nothing different. Many stay subject to it out of fear so as not to rebel against “God given authority”.

Enough is enough
There is rising an army of warriors who will not tolerate Jezebel. Equally important, they will not tolerate the false, perverted Nicolaitan teachings that subject God’s people as slaves to the will of other men. The grace and beauty of mature children following their Father, not men, will once again bring the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will eclipse the days of the Acts of the Apostles.

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Overcoming Jezebel

Friday, 24. August 2007, 23:44:27

battle, overcoming, jezebel

OVERCOMING JEZEBEL
Kriston Couchey
September 24, 2007

Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel (who calls herself a prophetess) to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I have given her time to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. (JB2000)

Given Time to repent
In the early to mid-nineties there was a wave of refreshing God brought to those willing to receive it. This was God’s grace to the church and His mercy to Jezebel. In effect, this marked the beginning of a time period He was giving her to repent and walk in freedom.

Instead of freedom, we saw Jezebel (the flesh of men) strengthen her grip on people as “leadership” took advantage of this movement to further their own interests. Much of the fruit of this refreshing was devoured by what is called the “apostolic movement.”

By the year 2000, apostolic networks were everywhere. Many pastors were now an apostle. The apostolic network land grab was in full swing. Churches and pastors were being wooed into “covenant” with a network.

Elijah anointed at the same time
There was also an unction poured out during that refreshing that fell upon many. This was a prophetic anointing sent to deal with Jezebel and bring the church transition and restoration. Many who received this unction began prophesying the things on God’s heart. But as prophecy does, the words began to bring persecution and rejection by Jezebel and those in her grip. Some compromised and became like Balaam, pleasing men for money. They became prophets of Jezebel.

Into the wilderness
Many of the rejected “prophets” were shunned or driven out of the churches by Jezebel. Some were called out by the Lord. Some started their own churches; many becoming the very thing they had prophesied against.

Some wallowed in bitterness. Some of these bitter ones found an outlet on the internet; they began prophesying the destruction of the church and everything else. Slowly, these voices died out, as God did not bless their bitterness with progressive revelation.

But, some learned to walk with God in the wilderness. Hidden in drying up brooks, they faced times of great failure and humiliation stemming from their own flesh. But in the midst of the wilderness they were changing. They became dependant upon God for their needs.

A Lack of Rain
Jezebel and Elijah both experienced the lack of rain. Jezebel had nothing to offer the people and they began to leave the barren wasteland of “church”. Elijah also experienced this lack, but found sustenance from the very hand of God. God gently fed and disciplined Elijah. He realized he was Jezebel if he followed his own flesh and learned he must put it to death.

They're coming back
Those hidden in the wilderness are coming back. They went out frustrated and angry. They are coming back in peace and rest. They will not tolerate Jezebel, and they bring with them Fire and Rain.

Fire
These that are coming carry the fire of God’s presence. This fire is a witness that God is with them. This fire will stir the passion of God’s love in people for God, and for each other.

Jezebel and her prophets do not have this fire, and are incapable of manifesting a love originating from the presence of God. The name Jezebel can mean one who is an “Island” or "not dwelt with". Flesh (Jezebel)is incapable of intimate, true fellowship with God or man. Jezebels manner of existing in the church is based upon position, power, or pleasing men’s flesh.

The Fire of judgment
Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

This fire will also bring cleansing and repentance to many. The fire of judgment will consume many who refuse to repent and allow God to change them. This will be the point at which Jezebel’s time has run out. She will slip into darkness as God will turn her over to her enemies to be afflicted.

Rain
From God’s presence is coming a wave of refreshing. The rain will pour as Elijah restores all things. Restoration of relationships, healing, and blessing will flow freely from the presence of the Lord. The streams of Living water from these rains will flow, and those parched with thirst will be refreshed and restored. These will join in the labor of turning the desert wasteland into a fruitful field.

True spiritual authority Restored
The body will have its authority restored. The one thing Jezebel coveted and stripped from the people of God was their authority and place before God. A renewed sense of purpose and destiny will invigorate the church as dead dreams and visions will come back to life, and abandoned mantles will fall again upon many.

An end of titles and the system that enables Jezebel
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess….

As this restoration brings about true love and humility, it will be hard for Jezebel to find a place among the true church. Positions and titles will be of little consideration. The true church will simply not tolerate her anymore. The old church system of leadership from the top down will eventually be discarded and forgotten like a filthy rag. Those with true spiritual authority within a congregation will begin to refuse titles, and serve alongside their brothers and sisters. Their preoccupation will be enabling others to minister.

The promise to those that overcome Jezebel; Ruling with Christ
Rev 2:26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations. 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Those that overcome Jezebel will walk in the true kingdom authority. Jezebel is a person who lives according to the flesh; she can be you or me. The time given to repent is nearly over.

Acts 3: 19 Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

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