That Jezebel

by Roderick Barnes Leadership

False spiritual authorities do not aim to live for Jesus and are not genuinely concerned with His kingdom. They leverage self-proclaimed mantles to gain influence for their own fiefdoms and their own agendas; they care not for the sheep. They claim to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors for Jesus. But, although they use His name often to season their talk, they are not for Jesus. These false spiritual leaders are involved in the church for purposes other than promoting saving faith in Jesus Chris and obedience to His word. These charlatans use spiritual language, religious titles, and claims of special revelation to draw people after themselves. And then what? And once someone becomes their follower they are led into living in compromise, into living in conflict with the commands of Christ, and into living in conformity with the world  and its practices (Matthew 23:15; 2 Peter 2:18-20).

In Revelation 2:20, the woman called “Jezebel” claims to have spiritual authority; she says that she is a prophetess. (She places herself second in the spiritual ranking of the church. See 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; James 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; and Titus 1:5–9.) However, her teaching seduces Christ’s servants into sexual immorality and idolatry. This is the pattern of the false spiritual authority: this person does not merely make mistakes. They use the appearance of spiritual legitimacy to lead people away from loyalty to the Lord.

Questions for Discussion

  1. Do my leaders direct me toward ways of thinking and behaving that are pleasing to Jesus? This question is not to be answered based merely on sentiment. It should be answered in the light of the Scriptures.
  2. As a leader, is it my chief goal to promote faith in Jesus?

Prayer

Lord, give me insight into my real motives. Purify my heart and help me to fully own objectives and goals that are not godly. Help me to see both the sin of selfish leadership and the work you have already done to change me for the better. Guide me in godly mourning and repentance for what is amiss. I give you thanks for the grace that has led me into what is right. Make of me a person after your own heart and help me to actively engage in my responsibilities for spiritual development (1 Timothy 4:15; Philippians 4:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 12:14-17).