If someone takes their own life where will they spend eternity? We’d love to know about any scriptures or resources you have that supports your perspective. Add your thoughts below.

Jeanette Rose
Jacono

WOW, not even going to touch this one…

May 25 at 2:40pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Robyn Barbour

The scripture that comes to mind is that if
you destroy the temple of the Holy Spirit , God will destroy you. I
Corinthians
Will have to go look it up for the verse.
That being
said, only God knows when someone is responsible for their actions,
mentally ill, and can of course forgive.

May 25 at 2:41pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Christine
Bates Slover

If they are saved, they go to heaven. You
can not lose your salvation. If they are unsaved, unfortunately, they go
to hell.

May 25 at 2:41pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Robyn Barbour

Good points Anny!

May 25 at 2:49pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

I’ve been a Christian for as far back as I
can remember and I’m 54 years old now. I know personally of two very
strong Christians who have killed themselves. The were in such mental
anguish that their minds snap. I have no doubt that they are in heaven
with Jesus. A Christian is not exempt from going through mental issues.
Sometimes mental issues can kill, just like physical issues. Jesus
looks at our “hearts.”

May 25 at
2:51pm · LikeUnlike
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Chad
Smith

Being a pastor this question is asked to me
time and time again. The only thing we have is found in the New
Testament about Judas committing this act. Someone also brought up the
once saved always saved issue and would you use this argument with the
one who betrayed the Lord?!? Salvation is pertinent on repentance and
denial of the self to follow … See MoreChrist. If we go back to that old lifestyle
how can we say we know Jesus and live for him if we are living in that
which we denied. This is a conflict of interest for those who are
serving Jesus. Therein is the issue with suicide as it brings the person
to the place of the old lifestyle. To be honest, when preaching these
types of funerals the only thing to do is preach God’s grace to the
family and offer the comfort of the Holy Spirit. God is the only judge
and we have to look to Him.

May 25 at 2:54pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

sorry my grammar and sentence structures
were so bad, above. I have my two youngest granddaughters and I’m
writing in a rush 🙂

May 25 at
2:54pm · LikeUnlike
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Donna
D. Harley

No, no, Pastor Chad, it doesn’t always bring
the person back to the old lifestyle. People can be in such grief,
mental illness, etc. that they simply snap.
I don’t believe in
“once saved, always saved.” But I also will never believe that Jesus
does not understand the heart of a true Christian who never meant to
take their own lives, but snapped… See More under extreme pressure.
It doesn’t
matter what people think about this issue – and I don’t see how Judas
has anything to do with it.
Jesus understands better than anyone,
better than our own relatives, and yes, even better than our Pastors.
He LOVES us and weeps when we weep. Thank God He has taught me,
personally, that He understands our “human-ness.” When I learned this,
it freed me to fall at His feet and not be afraid to tell Him how I felt
about anything – He already knows our feelings anyway. When we bring
them to Him, He is compassionate and helps us.
And when great
people of God take their own lives, it’s not due to satan if they
continue to love God with all their hearts. It’s simply their human
brains could not stand anymore pain and they snapped.

May 25 at 3:03pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

That precious Grace and Mercy is what Jesus
gives to the Christian who commits suicide, as long as they have not
totally turned against God “knowingly” – and I believe it rare for
anyone who truly loves God to turn away blatantly and knowingly – when
in their right mind or not.
The stripes Jesus gave for healing also
applies to mental illness – no matter what the cause of the mental
illness or anguish.

May 25 at
3:10pm · LikeUnlike
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Robert D
Lockyer

great topic,but just think to spend time
seeking to luv jesus …would be always more productive then finding
loopholes for suicide and salvation

May 25 at 3:15pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Robert: Hi Robert 🙂 I don’t find any
type of loophole regarding any of the two issues you present.
However,
I do find it productive to let God speak to our hearts regarding these
subjects. I’ve been able to minister to hurting families who were
concerned when they lost strong Christian family members to suicide.
I’m
very humbled and … See Morethankful that God has given me the reassurance
regarding some difficult areas – and I assure you I spent time seeking
answers from Him and Him alone. Gob bless 🙂

May 25 at 3:19pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Michael
Beattie

I John 1:9 says if we confess our sins He is
faithful to forgive us & cleanse us from all unrighteousness;
Exodus 20:13 (6th of 10 Commandments) says Thou shall not kill (murder);
I believe this applies to ourselves as well. It is presumptious to
ask forgiveness before the sin is committed and since we can’t ask after
we are dead, how can we … See Moreexpect it? Killing one’s self is going
outside of God’s will as He is the only one that can rightfully choose
our day of departure from the natural world. Would you dare come before
God, on your judgement day, with your own blood on your hands?

May 25 at 3:23pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Denise
Glass Parrish

MATTHEW 12: 31-32 “Therefore I say to you,
any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the
Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the
Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against
the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in
the age to come”.

May 25 at
3:24pm · LikeUnlike
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Holly
Matthews Carey

I think God has grace on those who have
gotten to that point. I cannot see God just turning on those who got so
mentally “bad off” that He would send them to hell. No, we are not
supposed to take our most of us know , what
happens when you lose the ability to remember, or when the pain is so
bad that you can no longer think … See Morestraight? THIS (the pain issue) became VERY
REAL to me a week ago monday as I had a sudden health issue arise that
was so painful that i was in and out of consciousness for at LEAST 5
hours til a doctor came into my room at the hospital ER! I got so weak
that I no longer wanted to God had grace on now I
have a new understanding in this area. Anyway, tks for bringing up the
topic. I guess in the end God is the ultimate he will judge
us separately how HE see’s fit. We need to pray for
out to them befor they get to the point of taking their own lives if we
can! God Bless!

May 25
at 3:25pm · LikeUnlike
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Trevor van
Vuuren

To me it is very simple. Does a born again
person who dies of cancer go to hell because they were sick? God forbid.
So likewise, a person who commits suicide who may be sick in the head
and committed suicide won’t go to hell either. What if they weren’t sick
in the head but were yet born again? It says in 1 John that as a true
born again believer … See Moreof God no one goes out deliberately to commit
sin. No one person wants to commit suicide, but let’s not forget the
extreme pressure of circumstances and our old enemy satan who will
seduce them into believing that is the only way out! Remember this; God
IS love, He doesn’t have love He IS love, and Love is not trying to keep
people out, He’s trying to get them into heaven. Shalom

May 25 at 3:31pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Simpson
Merita

There’s a fine line between belief and
teaches that without faith it is impossible to
please God, for he (or she) that comes to God must believe that he is
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but if the full truth is not
spoken behind pulpits or in any … See Moreother area, some may become confused and the
enemy of our souls can “steal” the truth from could lead to
negative outcomes. To me its a frightful situation to be in.

May 25 at 3:36pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Michael: Christians who take their own
lives have not planned to do so, it happens in a moment of extreme
anguish and their minds snap. I don’t believe the issue of forgiveness
has anything to do with it, as the person was not in their right mind
when it happened. The person’s heart had not changed toward God.
I
don’t expect to change anyone’… See Mores mind, just present what I believe and feel
in my heart is true. I do not believe taking one’s life when one’s mind
snaps is murder as God would see it, not at all.
Although I have
assurance on this (and not due to any of my own family members ever
having committed this act,) I am not trying to change minds of others,
even though my own heart is secure in what I believe regarding this
issue.
It is certainly OK to agree to disagree 🙂 God bless 🙂
My
son has been an ordained Bishop since he was in his mid-twenties. He
has his PhD in Licensed Counseling, Supervision and Education, from a
Christian university. I had no idea that he would do his dissertation
on the issue of mental illness and how the church feels about it. He
sent out hundreds of surveys to our church members and other church
members. We were both shocked to find that 4 to 1, most church members
believe that “all” mental illness is due to demon possession – God help
is so untrue…… We serve a God of compassion Who loves
and understands His children! Praise His Name! 🙂

I must run!
Blessings to all! 🙂

May
25 at 3:36pm · LikeUnlike
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Donna
D. Harley

@Holly: Amen, Sweetie! I have to run, but
want you to know I am praying for you! God bless your heart!

May 25 at 3:40pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Elaine Tompkins
Edington

Murder is murder…

May 25 at 3:41pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Roy Moffett

there is no other place than Heaven for
Father matter his manner of death

 

May 25 at 3:42pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Jake- Tanya
Dalton

My take has always been, that if suicide is
greater than what Jesus did on the cross, then his crucifixion was a
failure, and I don’t believe that it was. He knew it all, and He took it
all while He was on the cross. From the “little” sin to the most
gruesome, gory sin was washed clean. End of story.

May 25 at 3:43pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Trevor: Amen, I agree with you! But I
don’t believe it’s always satan that causes a Christian to get to a
horrible place mentally – sometimes it is simply chemical imbalance, or
extreme stress that ultimately destroys the sense of reason. I’ve
enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts! Blessings to all! 🙂

May 25 at 3:44pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Martin Britton

God is merciful! I knew of a street
evangelist who was the boldest christian I ever met,yet a couple years
after I met him,he committed suicide in a hotel room!We cannot know what
kind of demonic attack that these people go through!Especially if they
aren’t submitted to a pastor who can provide a spiritual covering for
them.

May 25 at 3:53pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Holly: This conversation just reminded me
of something else. I used to always think that drug addicts,
alcoholics, etc. would all go to hell. BUT, I have come to know some
addicted who have reached out to Jesus and received salvation. Some
were instantly delivered of their addictions, some were not. Some are
still struggling with it, but are … See Moretrusting God and trying with all their heart,
through prayer, etc. to become totally free, but have not yet reached
that destination. In this situation, also, I believe that if they were
to die, or Jesus were to return, they would still go to heaven, as they
were trusting Him for total healing, knowing it was wrong, seeking to
be totally free with all their being. Just as the sin of gluttony, no
difference. Again, the Word which says that Jesus looks on our
“hearts.” I’m so thankful that HE alone is the one Who knows our hearts
and judges, and not any of us……..

Praise God for His touch
in your life during that time of crises, Holly! 🙂

May 25 at 3:54pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Martin: That’s the key, my friend! God is
merciful! He alone knows our heart. Christians are subject to the same
things as others, as we live in this old world and human bodies. Oh
yes, we have Jesus and with Him ALL things are possible, yet there are
still deaths from illnesses (lots of illness are totally due to stress,
which none of us can … See Moreavoid in this life) – these old human bodies
have not yet been glorified. And that does not mean we are not to pray
for healing, etc. Sometimes healing comes while we are yet here on
earth (and I’ve SEEN many healings here on this earth) and some come
when we arrive in heaven 🙂
God bless 🙂

May 25 at 4:00pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Michael W Doree

How can you repent when your dead!Only God
the father has the right and numbers your days!I assume you might ask
him to forgive you before you commit suicide!

May 25 at 4:05pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Michael: Christians can get to the point
of their mind snapping, just as non-Christians can. When a mind snaps,
one does not know what one is doing – it is not “willful” – Jesus’ blood
covers ALL things we UN-willingly do.

May 25 at 4:08pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Holly
Matthews Carey

Donna, I have to remember that we
are all at different spiritual maturity are
delivered instantly from to deal
with it for some it was wrong and wanting so terribly to
stop SO MANY NIGHTS of crying, waiting and beating ourselves up for the
Lord to help us! It … See MoreDID happen PRAISE GOD! But I lived in a state
of repentance during that was also a time that I just had to
TRUST THAT JESUS LOVED ME NO MATTER WHAT AND THAT HE WOULD DELIVER ME!!!
I learned a LOT during that time! I’m sure this is a very touchy
I agree. God see’s the ‘s a compassionate God.
Not saying this is a pass for people to go out and do I
believe it’s a case by case for to what he see’s in us.
Thank You.

May 25 at
4:11pm · LikeUnlike
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Donna
D. Harley

@Holly: I have chills! Thank you for the
powerful testimony of the Grace, Mercy and Love of our dear Lord Jesus
Christ! Amen! I like the way you put it “a state of repentance.” Yes,
yes, the Word says we must die daily to sin. It also says we have to
“fight the good fight.” God had you in His hands, Luv, the entire time
you were going through … See Morethat, as He most assuredly did look on your
“heart.”
And exactly, we’re not giving people a license to go and
do drugs or kill themselves, just showing that God alone knows the
heart, and that is what He looks upon, and only He alone can judge it
🙂
Aren’t we blessed?! I’m so glad that God is not finished with me
yet – and I’m so glad that He knows my true heart when I mess up! 🙂
Blessings, Precious! 🙂

May
25 at 4:16pm · LikeUnlike
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Holly
Matthews Carey

PS: I would wake EACH MORNING saying today
is the day that I’ll be free’d!!!! And , it would be
stuck in my face and I’d fail. I didn’t have the “do it now, repent
later” mentality. But I can tell you that the enemy had a hayday with
me til I was free! Maybe it was something I needed to go through to
have compassion and understanding? I don’t does! Blessings!

May 25 at 4:17pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Holly – just re-read your awesome post, and
wanted again to AMEN a most important point you brought out. You
said:

…it was also a time that I just had to TRUST THAT JESUS
LOVED ME NO MATTER WHAT AND THAT HE WOULD DELIVER ME!!!

Amen!
And that goes for “any” thing that is happening to us or around us in
our lives. We face many difficulties, yet we TRUST His Word, even
though it seems impossible! Nothing is impossible with God! 🙂

May 25 at 4:22pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Holly, just saw your last post! Praise God
again !! Yes, yes! I have been there during a very difficult and long
trial, I have been to the point to where I didn’t have the strength
‘mentally or physically’ to try to crawl back out of my failure again,
and GOD SHOWED ME THAT DIDN’T MATTER! I could pick up right where I
left off, because HE had … See Moreme! 🙂 Amen! And yes, a thousand times,
yes, sometimes there are things only to be learned when going through
extreme difficulties – things we could learn no other way. I have
learned to be totally compassionate with people that have experienced
the same difficulties I have already experienced, I can truly feel their
pain, and can understand how to pray with them and for them, as I HAVE
BEEN THERE!
Prayer meeting time! 🙂

May 25 at 4:26pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Judith K.
Harrington

I would like to know

May 25 at 4:41pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Michael
Beattie

@Donna I respect your opinion but I will
disagree that suicide is a snap decision. Yes, this is a decision that
comes from a troubled mind but it is not a sudden one; only the action
taken is sudden. Those who kill themselves know all too well the road
they are headed down. They are all too willing to meet this end as a way
to escape what is … See Moretormenting them.

This decision, comes
from a long period of anguish over our circumstances that may seem too
hopeless for God to even help with. it is in that hopelessness that we
come to this choice. That is where the enemy comes in to deceive us and
keep us from realizing the hope we have in Him. Song of Solomon 2:1
tells us that Jesus is the rose of sharon; rose of sharon is an herbal
medicine that regulates our mood. If we call on that spiritual rose of
sharon we can be helped from our misery and rescued from the bondage
satan would have us live in.

I speak from experience in that I
have seen many friends take their own lives and it is something I do not
look uopn lightly. You can call me heartless and insensitive if you
wish but I would dare say that in the long run suicide is a very selfish
act in that those who do make this choice do so without regard for the
doubt & confusion they leave behind them in the minds of those who
love them and could’ve helped them.

I will conclude by saying
that for what ever reason it is committed, suicide is horrible &
wrong; there is no way around that. I believe what I believe because it
is what keeps me alive. Yes, I have contemplated suicide myself many
times but my hope in Jesus, no matter how bad things may be, will
prevent me from doing anything that would cause irreversible harm to
myself & others.

May He bless you & keep you safe from
all harm.
God bless you

May 25 at 4:48pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Contina
Savage

His grace is enough. The church has done
damage
to people saying if you commit
suicide you will go to hell. Mental
illness
is what causes people to take their own
life. If someone
were in their right mind… See More
they would not take their own life.
I
serve a God of grace & mercy according
to the Word.

May 25 at 4:54pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Annika Belfrage

I knew two persons that commited suicide.
One had a mental illness the other had not been saved for a long time. I
got the same Scripture from the Lord about them: “The righteous
perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away,
none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to
come]. He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks
in his uprightness.” (Isaiah 57:1-2).

May 25 at 5:41pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Annika Belfrage

The other guy also were saved. In the
Swedish translation the last sentences says that through the power of
evil the righteous is taken away and enters into the peace. Those who
have walked their way straight forward will have peace in their resting
rooms. Encouraging words.

May 25
at 5:55pm · LikeUnlike
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Donna
D. Harley

Amen, Annika…… 🙂

May 25 at 6:01pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Michael: I am so thankful to God for
keeping you in the palm of His mighty hand, my friend.

I, too,
along with you and many, have wanted to die at times, in the heat of the
moment when I was so over-burdened that I could find no rest, even
though I knew Jesus. Thankfully, I never put actions to those thoughts
and God kept me sane enough to … See Moreremember the many blessings in my life that I
“do” have, to be sane enough to remember that He will NEVER leave us or
forsake ‘s an awesome God! 🙂

I believe when the
Christian actually gets to the point of “committing” the act of taking
their lives, they have lost all sense of reasoning and hope (which,
unfortunately, ‘is’ possible with the Christian also) – and crossed over
into the literal definition of insanity, for which God would not hold
them responsible.

Thank you for the blessings. May God continue
to keep you in the palms of His mighty hands – and continue to show
Himself mighty in you! May He bless and protect you by the power of His
Spirit and His precious blood shed for all – at Calvary.

May 25 at 6:08pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Contina – your words reminded me of that
precious song:
“Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough,
Your
Grace is enough for me……”
… See More
Blessings!

May 25 at 6:11pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Steven Owen

Let God be true and every man a liar!

May 25 at 7:31pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Charles
Ryons Jr

I believe once saved always saved. The issue
of suicide for a saved person is dealt with at the Judgement Seat, when
the Lord hands out rewards. Your place and level of responsibility is
affected in Heaven.

May 25 at
7:44pm · LikeUnlike
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Kristy Kirkes
Williams

Me and my daughters wondered about it to. I
looked on and it really helped. Love that website
it has come in handy alot.

May
25 at 8:18pm · LikeUnlike
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· Flag

Cheaney
Brenda

Judge not that ye be not judged!

May 25 at 9:07pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Afreen
Dilawar

Thou shalt not kill!

May 26 at 5:06am · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Dawn R.
Braun

No one knows the state of the heart of a
person who is suicidal except Christ. I once was suicidal and I had
fallen so deeply in depression that I wanted to kill myself. Nothing
anyone said to me was helpful. All the time I was in this mental
anguish, and that is what it is, Jesus kept telling me how much He loved
me and reminded of the many … See Morethings He had done in my life. There were
things that happened that were so bad for such along period of time, I
couldn’t take it any more. You have to realize we are still human beings
even though we have Jesus inside and move in great spiritual anointing.
Some people think that they are exempt from all of this is
the time when the Church needs to gather together and do their job and
not condemn. If a person kills themselves, it is because they have
become so deeply depressed they see no other way out and if the pain is
deep enough, they are trying to get rid of the pain, not themselves. The
problem is we condemn what we don’t understand. If they are unsaved and
you may not know that , they won’t most likely be in heaven.
No one kills themselves on purpose.

May 26 at 10:25am · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Donna
D. Harley

@Dawn: agreed and I am so thankful that
Jesus brought you through. 🙂

You’re right, we’re not exempt,
even mightily anointed people of God. We do have Jesus to help us when
we get into this state, Praise His you are spot on with
your testimony.

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless and
keep you! 🙂

May 28 at 11:20am ·
LikeUnlike · · Flag

Mihael McCoy

this is a difficult area to minister to.
Believers must be truthful but sensitive to the future of those who are
living and are in need of hope–which must be in Christ. Those left
behind need words of comfort and the peace of the Holy Spirit. I have
used the verse- Romans 8:38 “Neither height nor anything
can separate us from the love of God.”

June 2 at 9:13pm · LikeUnlike · · Flag

Find out how to recognize and defeat the seven demons that attack the church.

We have explored many of the ways Satan organizes the demonic forces. We have also exposed many of the demonic strategies against individual believers. When we begin to look at the seven churches described in the Book of Revelation, we discover specific demonic strongholds that can be found at church. Let’s take a look at these spirits.

Spirit of Religion (Revelation 2:4–5, 7)

The church at Ephesus had “left their first love” (Rev. 2:4). They were doctrinally sound and had everything in order but they had lost their passion for God. When you turn to Acts 19 to look at “first works” and “first love” you discover an astounding truth.

At the birth of the Ephesian church they were baptizing in water, laying hands on the people for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, magnifying God in tongues, casting out demons, healing with prayer cloths, and being evicted from the old order.

The church at Ephesus had every element of church life in order and they were a hard working congregation. Yet the fire, the passion, the love had gone out of it. We see now that religion had taken over with its dull duty and tired traditionalism. The power of God was missing; demons were no longer leaving, tongues were absent, miracles were simply a memory. A loveless routine of religious works had replaced the power and passion of the Holy Spirit.

Who can deny the present reality of this deadening demon of religion? Many churches like Samson have been shorn of their power by the Delilah’s of religion! Now blind to spiritual things, we grind out our religious activities and traditions with no transforming power. This demon must be exposed and expelled.

Spirit of Intimidation (Revelation 2:10–11)

The church at Smyrna endured persecution, and many members suffered martyrdom. With this threat, Satan tries to strike fear in the hearts of believers by sending intimidation to frighten us away from faithfulness to God and His Word. Remember Simon Peter warming himself by the enemy’s fire on the night of Jesus’ arrest? This faithful disciple was intimidated by his surroundings and the questioning voice of a little servant girl. Today the church is silent and cowed down before the world and its governments. This demon must be cast down!

Spirit of Compromise (Revelation 2:12, 14–17)

Pergamos was the capital city of the province of Asia mentioned in Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia. It was a celebrated city of Mysia in the Caicus valley, 15 miles from the Aegean Sea about 60 miles north of Smyrna. The river Selinus flowed through it and the river Caicus ran just south of it. This city was rich in historical and literary heritage with a library which boasted well over 200,000 volumes, topped only by the library in Alexandria.

The city had a “pet” god in Asklepion, an idol symbolized by a snake who called himself a savior. They believed that their god incarnated into the area snakes, so serpents were allowed to slither freely around the temple. Those who desired healing spent the night in the darkness of the temple, hoping a snake would crawl over them. The city was an outpost to Greek civilization and was home to the temples of many other deities.

Can you see the parallels of the secular plight in America and its churches? Most churches operate in a community or environment that is controlled by Satan rather than God. What can a church do when ministry becomes difficult? Can we allow the snakes of secular humanism to slither through our congregations? Compromise is not the answer. We cannot become comfortable with the sin around us!

The church of Jesus must take active steps to stand strong in our lost and dying world!

We must recognize the conflict. Jesus pointed out that the city was the church’s dwelling place or permanent residence. To flee was not an option. Instead, He advised them to settle into service and draw the battle lines. Paul recognized the need for battle-readiness when he penned Ephesians 6. The armor of God is needed in the middle of war. Most of all, the church must go forward under the name and banner of Jesus, never operating in their own strength, for in the flesh the enemy could find weakness.

We must repent of compromise. The church at Pergamos had some weaknesses to be dealt with. There were doctrinal problems along with problems with some of their deacons and leadership. One in particular is mentioned, Nicholas, who began teaching heresy, and leading others into sin. How sad when a leader goes bad and quits truly serving the Lord! Often times they lead others astray and take others with them. Yet another conflict in the Pergamos church was a discipline problem. They tolerated the mess they were in by overlooking the sin in their own camp. Jesus called them to repentance. Another problem that arose was the spirit of Balaam. To give you some history of this, Balak, the pagan king, literally bought the prophet Balaam’s ministry. Balak eventually sent women to seduce the men of Israel, thus bringing judgment upon them. It was Balaam that sold out the people of God. In keeping the spirit of Balaam, too often today, money has become the goal and prize of many in the church. Popular preaching has replaced prophetic preaching. Image has replaced anointing and the church is reduced to no more than a place where pop psychology tickles the ears of its parishioners on Sundays. The image-makers and the politically correct have dulled the sword of the churches and its men of God.

We must rely on Christ. The Pergamos church needed to rely on their Savior, who provided the weapon of the sword of the Spirit, His own word. This is the weapon we claim as Christians. The popular “Star Wars” phenomenon has had two generations of children captured in imaginative play with light sabers, defending the galaxy as Jedi Knights! The movies show the young Jedi apprentice was carefully taught to use his weapon, to guard it, to perfect its use. In the same way, we must cling to the Word of God as our weapon—it has a power that is supernatural and effective against the onslaughts of Satan. Our weapons are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4) but mighty in God, and Satan can be defeated by the power of the Word.

Overcomers are promised gifts. Jesus promised this church that those who didn’t succumb to the sins around them—not eating things offered to idols and partaking in sin—these faithful would eat hidden manna, the blessing of Jesus Himself. They are promised the presence of Jesus in the barren wasteland of the world’s wilderness. He also promised this church that He would set a white stone, promising acquittal, acceptance, and acclaim. The new name upon this stone was Jesus!

Spirit of Jezebel (Control) (Revelation 2:18-20, 26)

A war goes on in today’s church, and the battle lines are drawn. One of the most powerful spirits at work in this ongoing battle is the spirit of Jezebel or control. First Kings tells the story of the woman for whom this spirit is named.

Known as the wife of King Ahab and a follower of the false god Baal, the scriptures regarded Ahab’s marriage to this woman as a horrible sin: “He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him” (1 Kings 16:31, niv).

Jezebel ordered a “hit” on the innocent man Naboth so that she could obtain his prize vineyard. Not only was this murder, but it broke God’s land covenant with His people. In addition to her disrespect for ordinary people and their property, she hated the prophets of God. Scripture says, “While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:4, NIV)

Later, Jezebel pursued the prophet Elijah following the great contest where God sent fire from heaven and defeated the prophets of Baal. Her relentless pursuit drove the prophet into depression and suicidal thoughts.

Jezebel’s character was wicked, controlling, sexually immoral, murderous, and demonic! It is astounding that the same strong spirit was still operating in Revelation 2:20 and still operates in today’s church. In every congregation we find those who want to control, manipulate, and subvert the men and women of God.

Recognizing the spirit

This spirit is basically the spirit of domination or an unwillingness to cohabit peacefully. This is not about women or liberation, for this spirit can attach itself to a man or a woman. Many may think that this spirit is identified with sexuality, believing that a woman who looks a certain way is a “Jezebel” in her character. But this is not so. A wolf can easily hide in sheep’s clothing.

When you find a spirit of Jezebel operating, you will also find an “Ahab” nearby, or someone in leadership who is allowing the spirit access and control.

The strategy of Jezebel

The tool this spirit uses is manipulation. In 1 Kings 21, we learn that King Ahab would pout when he did not get his own way. He had seen a vineyard that he greatly desired, but the owner would not give up his precious property, even to the king. As King Ahab lay on his bed sulking, Jezebel assured him she would get him what he wanted. This powerful woman had introduced pagan worship into her kingdom, and now she was not below killing to obtain the things she needed to gain more power.

The seat of Jezebel

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

—Revelation 2:20

When the spirit of Jezebel begins to manifest in the church, it seeks a high seat in the church or a place of dominance. Usually it will manifest in someone who wants to teach or lead, usually leading them astray! To find that place of leadership, Jezebel must look and act in a spiritual manner.

One of these spirits operated in Moses and Aaron’s day. Numbers 16 tells us, “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 men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?’” (Num. 16:1–3).

Korah was operating in the spirit of Jezebel, with Dathan and Abiram operating as his power core, and 250 other princes as a structure under them. Moses took immediate action—he fell on his face before God and prayed. Following his prayer, he confronted the spirit, saying, “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?” (Num. 16:9–10).

Judgment came to this Jezebel spirit—an earthquake came and took the three evil leaders and fire consumed all the rest.

Jezebel’s targets

The controlling spirit wiggles into the church, bent on destroying and undermining the very things that we hold dear as believers. Through manipulation, domination, and control, the spirit begins its battle against the body of Christ.

First, this spirit hates the prophets, the true leaders of God. She cannot control them, and when she tries to win their approval and fails, she will stop at nothing to try and kill them.

In addition, the spirit of Jezebel hates the preaching of the Word. She can’t cope with its message. She will try to either reduce the messenger or the message.

The controlling spirit also hates the praise of the church. During times of true, powerful worship, her carnality is exposed. In 1 Kings when the prophet Elijah prayed fire down from heaven against the prophets of Baal and Jezebel’s schemes, praise broke out (1 Kings 18:39). Jezebel had lost, and the praises of God filled the air.

A Jezebel spirit also hates the preeminence of Christ. There is no way to compete against it. The first time “preeminence” is mentioned is in Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (kjv). However, the second time we find the word, a Jezebel spirit is attempting to control a body of believers. “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 John 1:9, kjv).

Banish the spirit

If you sense this spirit is at work in your church, it is important to see the enemy as spiritual, not fleshly. Don’t hate the person being controlled by the spirit of Jezebel, recognize that it is a spiritual power—one that God must fight. Let your prayer be, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chron. 20:12).

Spirit of Traditionalism (Revelation 3:1–6)

For centuries the church has been the victim of rumors, hostility, and, what we call in this day and age, negative press. Churches often have to survive this hostile environment; however, outward hostility is not the greatest threat to a local church! Very often the greatest danger comes from within!

The Sardis church lived in a favorable environment with a great reputation. However, in Christ’s letter to this church, He ignored their human reputation and told this church they were listed in the obituary!

Environment of death

The city of Sardis was a city of wealth. History tells us that in 550 b.c., King Croesus found gold in the city’s river and issued the first gold coins in history! Even in New Testament times, gold could be found all along its rivers.

In addition to its wealth, the city was known for its paganism. The favored idol was Cybele, and worshippers of this pagan god participated in wild, frenzied worship that included sexual immorality.

Remarkably, the community was at peace, for the inhabitants were comfortable in their self-sufficiency. This peaceful self-sufficiency had also invaded the church in Sardis; it became the peace of death. A peaceful coexistence with the city and its wickedness had settled into the church and all they had left was their reputation.

Evidence of a church’s death

Viewers of our television broadcast often write and ask, “How can I find a good church in my area? How can I tell if a church is alive and healthy?” A dead church has some basic characteristics that are spotted easily.

Ignores the Holy Spirit. When the complete work of God’s Spirit isn’t embraced in a church, that body is already headed for the grave. Jesus told the church at Sardis that they had a spirit of religion and didn’t have the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will not be managed or controlled by religious tradition or preferences! John 3:8 says, “The wind blows where it wills…so is every one who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

Lack of godly leadership. The “seven stars” mentioned in Revelation 3 stands for the messengers or pastors of the seven churches addressed in the letters. What the church in Sardis needed was a leader who was called by God and served Him whole-heartedly. Too many churches today fail to get God’s man. Several times a month our church offices receive requests from pastor-less churches that have been searching for a replacement. If these churches choose a pastor by his reputation, resume, physical appearance, or even recommendation, they may find later that they’ve made a big mistake. As important as background information is, the fruit issued in a pastor’s life and his walk with the Spirit of God is what should be investigated. The superficial doesn’t matter as much as the supernatural. Hiring solely on superficial facts may result in a short-tenured, flash in the pan, or morally bankrupt leader.

Reputation over reality. Sardis was a busy, working church with a good name—but it had death upon it. They were an organization, but not a living organism. Sadly, they were so caught up in their reputation they didn’t even realize that they had died. One winter night I noticed our house becoming colder and colder, even though I had turned our heat on full power. I called upon our faithful church grounds supervisor to take a look at the gas-heating unit, and he discovered the pilot light had gone out. The blower was blowing, but the fire was out. Going to church is good, if you meet God. Worship is good if it brings on God’s presence. Giving is good if we have first given ourselves. Prayer is good, but “if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.” Form without force is death to a church. It is like a store window containing lots of fluff and finery, but hiding an empty stockroom.

Growth in numbers without growth in people. The letter to Sardis indicated that even Christians who had life in the Sardis church were dying in the cold environment. Churches must offer ministry that encourages its members to grow in the Lord.

Ministry and work incomplete. Beginning a new program or outreach is easy; seeing it to completion is much more difficult! A dead church is a graveyard of partially fulfilled goals and half-baked programs. These skeletons are evidence that they went “partway” with the Lord and then backed up and sat down. A church that goes backward is doomed to death.

Escape from death! To eliminate the spirit of religion from your church, the leadership should gather and repent of religious death. Together they should acknowledge that Jesus’ kingdom is coming, and there will be an accounting for what they accomplish in His name. In almost any dead church, there are a handful of believers who do live in triumph and desire to be alive in God. This team of people should be lifted up and encouraged. Stay with the winning crowd! Finally, rebuke the religious pride that strangles your church. Reject the love of religion and its rules and reputation, and fall in love with Jesus. Determine to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in all decision-making regarding the church, and let His Word edify, rule, and reign from the pulpit.

Spirit of Inferiority (Revelation 3:7–8, 12)

Many times a pastor will contact me about a speaking engagement at a church, and he will begin by saying almost apologetically, “We are just a small church…” His tone implied a sense of weakness or inability. But there is nothing “little” or “insignificant” in the kingdom of God!

At the other end of the spectrum is the church that thinks they have all the answers, who loves to proclaim their statistics and numbers but are satisfied with mediocre efforts as long as they bring the church notoriety and recognition.

God deals strongly with the church in Revelation 3: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:10–12).

Too many churches and individuals use their supposed weakness as an excuse for failing to advance the cause of Christ. Such notions and statements are foreign to the New Testament portrait of the church. I am convinced that such an attitude is not only false and hurtful but also demonic in its origin. There is a stronghold of inferiority, self-pity, and weakness. The enemy deceives those manifesting this spirit by making them think their attitudes are actually meekness and humility. This counterfeit humility is debilitating to the kingdom of God, crippling the advance of the gospel, and it insults the Holy Spirit.

The church at Philadelphia was at risk to be overtaken by such a spirit. If they were ever to become a “pillar” in the kingdom, they would have to overcome the spirit.

The scripture sets forth the church as a victorious company. Matthew 16:18 declares, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In his great prayer for the church in Ephesians 3:14–21, Paul ends with this benediction, “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages” (Eph. 3:20–21).

It is “in the church” that Jesus looses His divine ability, energy, and glory. The answer to our inferiority is His superiority! It is not in trying harder, but in trusting wholly that His work is accomplished.

The church at Philadelphia had “a little strength” (Rev. 3:8). Greek culture, international commerce, and religious diversity dominated them. The pagan goddess Dionysus was worshiped. This ancient Greek god of wine was credited with inspiring ritual madness and ecstasy. Worship of Dionysus was thought to bring an end to care and worry. The city was also a center of orthodox Jewish worship.

This small church could have surrendered to the pressures around them. Yet they did not! They received the wonderful encouragement in Revelation, and history tells us that for nearly 1400 years, this city stood as a Christian city in the face of Muslim pressure. It was only after centuries of courageous resistance that the city was overthrown by an unholy military alliance of Byzantine and Muslim forces.

How did this church overcome inferiority and have a ministry that would last for 1400 years? They came to know the Lord of Opportunity (Rev. 3:7–8). Obedience always leads to opportunity! God promised this church the “key of David.” With God’s favor and their dependence upon His superiority, nothing could stop this body of believers!

Spirit of Pride (Revelation 3:14–17, 21)

Revelation 3 also issues a charge to the church at Laodicea. This city was a wealthy and prosperous one. So vast was their wealth that when an earthquake destroyed the city, they required no outside help to recover! Tacitus, the Roman historian, recorded, “Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of its own resources.” 

The city was famous for the dark, black wool they produced and was known as the center for fine wool in the ancient world. Laodicea also boasted a famous medical school, having produced two of the most popular medicines for treatment of eye and ear maladies. In short, this city was pompous and full of pride.

But here in Revelation 3, years have passed and now the church in Laodicea has fallen into a rut of mediocrity. The Lord Jesus Himself renders the verdict on this church. What was His appraisal? This lukewarm church was nauseating Him! What had happened to this church to make it slide into a state of mediocrity?

Lost fervency

Sadly, this church reflects the state of many American churches today. Not too cold…not too hot. Not too bad…not too good. Not too faithful…not too unfaithful. The Laodicea church was an ordinary church that had warmth but no fire. If asked about their work, they would say, “We are holding our own.”

Jesus is sickened by the mediocre. He would rather a church be as cold as the Arctic or as hot as the Sahara. In God’s work, there should be no place for “just getting by.”

Elijah recognized this need for commitment when he challenged Israel at the contest of the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. He shouted to the congregation, “If Baal be God, serve him, but if the Lord be God, serve Him!” Standing in the middle was not an option.

A complacent church is a disappointment to Jesus! Laodicea had lost the fire of love for Jesus and for lost souls. The altar fires of prayer were in need of rekindling. It was business as usual week after week. They needed to pray!

The great hymn by Gene Bartlett should be the earnest prayer of the church needing a fresh fervency:

O for a passion for souls, dear Lord!

O for a pity that yearns!

O for a love that loves unto death!

O for a fire that burns!

Lost faith

The Laodicean church had tried to become self-sufficient. They boasted of wealth, increase of goods, and that they needed nothing, not even the Lord. They were cursed by their wealth.

When the great Thomas Aquinas visited the Vatican, the Pope escorted him through the vast corridors and vaults adorned with jewels and gold. The Pope commented, “No longer do we say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.” Aquinas replied, “Neither do you say, ‘In the name of Jesus, Rise and walk!’”

A church’s reach must exceed its grasp. An ever-enlarging vision must be forged. The challenges we take should be beyond our resources, so that our reliance and faith remains upon God. Our dreams and our plans should be God-sized.

When God blesses financially, the church should give more to missions, build a needed building, add another staff member, and have the faith to stretch those resources to their limit.

Unfortunately, the Laodicean church did not really see their true condition. God said they were “wretched, poor, blind, naked”—they were pitiful in the sight of God. They were without riches and spiritually blind in God’s eyes. He looked at them and saw them as they really were: spiritually bankrupt.

Lost fear

This church no longer trembled in the presence of a righteous God. There was no remorse recorded for their failures. Jesus warns them by giving three motives to repent: His love, His rebuke, and His chastening rod. These three things could provide the motivation to set this church on the right track.

Lost fellowship

Jesus was standing and knocking outside the door of this church. At one point, He had been shut out; He was no longer the center of things. The church had no basis for fellowship with other churches because Jesus Christ was the only common ground among the fellowship of churches. Without Him, a church can have a “get together” without really being together in unity! “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

The presence of Jesus Christ is the ground of all true fellowship, but too many churches have shut Him out.

God’s Promise and Plea

Jesus keeps on knocking, hoping that someone in the church will open the door. When that happens, it sets the stage for revival and fellowship can be restored. A seat at the Lord’s table is promised when we welcome Him at ours. We can share in His glorious reign! So, let us blaze and burn for Him until He comes in the blaze of His glory.

Ron Phillips is pastor of Abba’s House in Hixson, Tenn., and author of Everyone’s Guide to Demons and Spiritual Warfare.

Find out how to recognize and defeat the seven demons that attack the church.

When we begin to look at the seven churches described in the Book of Revelation, we discover specific demonic strongholds that can be found at church. Let’s take a look at these spirits.

Spirit of Religion (Revelation 2:4–5, 7)

The church at Ephesus had “left their first love” (Rev. 2:4). They were doctrinally sound and had everything in order but they had lost their passion for God. When you turn to Acts 19 to look at “first works” and “first love” you discover an astounding truth.

At the birth of the Ephesian church they were baptizing in water, laying hands on the people for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, magnifying God in tongues, casting out demons, healing with prayer cloths, and being evicted from the old order.

The church at Ephesus had every element of church life in order and they were a hard working congregation. Yet the fire, the passion, the love had gone out of it. We see now that religion had taken over with its dull duty and tired traditionalism. The power of God was missing; demons were no longer leaving, tongues were absent, miracles were simply a memory. A loveless routine of religious works had replaced the power and passion of the Holy Spirit.

Who can deny the present reality of this deadening demon of religion? Many churches like Samson have been shorn of their power by the Delilah’s of religion! Now blind to spiritual things, we grind out our religious activities and traditions with no transforming power. This demon must be exposed and expelled.

Spirit of Intimidation (Revelation 2:10–11)

The church at Smyrna endured persecution, and many members suffered martyrdom. With this threat, Satan tries to strike fear in the hearts of believers by sending intimidation to frighten us away from faithfulness to God and His Word. Remember Simon Peter warming himself by the enemy’s fire on the night of Jesus’ arrest? This faithful disciple was intimidated by his surroundings and the questioning voice of a little servant girl. Today the church is silent and cowed down before the world and its governments. This demon must be cast down!

Spirit of Compromise (Revelation 2:12, 14–17)

Pergamos was the capital city of the province of Asia mentioned in Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia. It was a celebrated city of Mysia in the Caicus valley, 15 miles from the Aegean Sea about 60 miles north of Smyrna. The river Selinus flowed through it and the river Caicus ran just south of it. This city was rich in historical and literary heritage with a library which boasted well over 200,000 volumes, topped only by the library in Alexandria.

The city had a “pet” god in Asklepion, an idol symbolized by a snake who called himself a savior. They believed that their god incarnated into the area snakes, so serpents were allowed to slither freely around the temple. Those who desired healing spent the night in the darkness of the temple, hoping a snake would crawl over them. The city was an outpost to Greek civilization and was home to the temples of many other deities.

Can you see the parallels of the secular plight in America and its churches? Most churches operate in a community or environment that is controlled by Satan rather than God. What can a church do when ministry becomes difficult? Can we allow the snakes of secular humanism to slither through our congregations? Compromise is not the answer. We cannot become comfortable with the sin around us!

The church of Jesus must take active steps to stand strong in our lost and dying world!

We must recognize the conflict. Jesus pointed out that the city was the church’s dwelling place or permanent residence. To flee was not an option. Instead, He advised them to settle into service and draw the battle lines. Paul recognized the need for battle-readiness when he penned Ephesians 6. The armor of God is needed in the middle of war. Most of all, the church must go forward under the name and banner of Jesus, never operating in their own strength, for in the flesh the enemy could find weakness.

We must repent of compromise. The church at Pergamos had some weaknesses to be dealt with. There were doctrinal problems along with problems with some of their deacons and leadership. One in particular is mentioned, Nicholas, who began teaching heresy, and leading others into sin. How sad when a leader goes bad and quits truly serving the Lord! Often times they lead others astray and take others with them. Yet another conflict in the Pergamos church was a discipline problem. They tolerated the mess they were in by overlooking the sin in their own camp. Jesus called them to repentance. Another problem that arose was the spirit of Balaam. To give you some history of this, Balak, the pagan king, literally bought the prophet Balaam’s ministry. Balak eventually sent women to seduce the men of Israel, thus bringing judgment upon them. It was Balaam that sold out the people of God. In keeping the spirit of Balaam, too often today, money has become the goal and prize of many in the church. Popular preaching has replaced prophetic preaching. Image has replaced anointing and the church is reduced to no more than a place where pop psychology tickles the ears of its parishioners on Sundays. The image-makers and the politically correct have dulled the sword of the churches and its men of God.

We must rely on Christ. The Pergamos church needed to rely on their Savior, who provided the weapon of the sword of the Spirit, His own word. This is the weapon we claim as Christians. The popular “Star Wars” phenomenon has had two generations of children captured in imaginative play with light sabers, defending the galaxy as Jedi Knights! The movies show the young Jedi apprentice was carefully taught to use his weapon, to guard it, to perfect its use. In the same way, we must cling to the Word of God as our weapon—it has a power that is supernatural and effective against the onslaughts of Satan. Our weapons are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4) but mighty in God, and Satan can be defeated by the power of the Word.

Overcomers are promised gifts. Jesus promised this church that those who didn’t succumb to the sins around them—not eating things offered to idols and partaking in sin—these faithful would eat hidden manna, the blessing of Jesus Himself. They are promised the presence of Jesus in the barren wasteland of the world’s wilderness. He also promised this church that He would set a white stone, promising acquittal, acceptance, and acclaim. The new name upon this stone was Jesus!

Spirit of Jezebel (Control) (Revelation 2:18-20, 26)

A war goes on in today’s church, and the battle lines are drawn. One of the most powerful spirits at work in this ongoing battle is the spirit of Jezebel or control. First Kings tells the story of the woman for whom this spirit is named.

Known as the wife of King Ahab and a follower of the false god Baal, the scriptures regarded Ahab’s marriage to this woman as a horrible sin: “He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him” (1 Kings 16:31, niv).

Jezebel ordered a “hit” on the innocent man Naboth so that she could obtain his prize vineyard. Not only was this murder, but it broke God’s land covenant with His people. In addition to her disrespect for ordinary people and their property, she hated the prophets of God. Scripture says, “While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:4, NIV)

Later, Jezebel pursued the prophet Elijah following the great contest where God sent fire from heaven and defeated the prophets of Baal. Her relentless pursuit drove the prophet into depression and suicidal thoughts.

Jezebel’s character was wicked, controlling, sexually immoral, murderous, and demonic! It is astounding that the same strong spirit was still operating in Revelation 2:20 and still operates in today’s church. In every congregation we find those who want to control, manipulate, and subvert the men and women of God.

Recognizing the spirit

This spirit is basically the spirit of domination or an unwillingness to cohabit peacefully. This is not about women or liberation, for this spirit can attach itself to a man or a woman. Many may think that this spirit is identified with sexuality, believing that a woman who looks a certain way is a “Jezebel” in her character. But this is not so. A wolf can easily hide in sheep’s clothing.

When you find a spirit of Jezebel operating, you will also find an “Ahab” nearby, or someone in leadership who is allowing the spirit access and control.

The strategy of Jezebel

The tool this spirit uses is manipulation. In 1 Kings 21, we learn that King Ahab would pout when he did not get his own way. He had seen a vineyard that he greatly desired, but the owner would not give up his precious property, even to the king. As King Ahab lay on his bed sulking, Jezebel assured him she would get him what he wanted. This powerful woman had introduced pagan worship into her kingdom, and now she was not below killing to obtain the things she needed to gain more power.

The seat of Jezebel

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

—Revelation 2:20

When the spirit of Jezebel begins to manifest in the church, it seeks a high seat in the church or a place of dominance. Usually it will manifest in someone who wants to teach or lead, usually leading them astray! To find that place of leadership, Jezebel must look and act in a spiritual manner.

One of these spirits operated in Moses and Aaron’s day. Numbers 16 tells us, “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 men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?’” (Num. 16:1–3).

Korah was operating in the spirit of Jezebel, with Dathan and Abiram operating as his power core, and 250 other princes as a structure under them. Moses took immediate action—he fell on his face before God and prayed. Following his prayer, he confronted the spirit, saying, “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?” (Num. 16:9–10).

Judgment came to this Jezebel spirit—an earthquake came and took the three evil leaders and fire consumed all the rest.

Jezebel’s targets

The controlling spirit wiggles into the church, bent on destroying and undermining the very things that we hold dear as believers. Through manipulation, domination, and control, the spirit begins its battle against the body of Christ.

First, this spirit hates the prophets, the true leaders of God. She cannot control them, and when she tries to win their approval and fails, she will stop at nothing to try and kill them.

In addition, the spirit of Jezebel hates the preaching of the Word. She can’t cope with its message. She will try to either reduce the messenger or the message.

The controlling spirit also hates the praise of the church. During times of true, powerful worship, her carnality is exposed. In 1 Kings when the prophet Elijah prayed fire down from heaven against the prophets of Baal and Jezebel’s schemes, praise broke out (1 Kings 18:39). Jezebel had lost, and the praises of God filled the air.

A Jezebel spirit also hates the preeminence of Christ. There is no way to compete against it. The first time “preeminence” is mentioned is in Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (kjv). However, the second time we find the word, a Jezebel spirit is attempting to control a body of believers. “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 John 1:9, kjv).

Banish the spirit

If you sense this spirit is at work in your church, it is important to see the enemy as spiritual, not fleshly. Don’t hate the person being controlled by the spirit of Jezebel, recognize that it is a spiritual power—one that God must fight. Let your prayer be, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chron. 20:12).

Spirit of Traditionalism (Revelation 3:1–6)

For centuries the church has been the victim of rumors, hostility, and, what we call in this day and age, negative press. Churches often have to survive this hostile environment; however, outward hostility is not the greatest threat to a local church! Very often the greatest danger comes from within!

The Sardis church lived in a favorable environment with a great reputation. However, in Christ’s letter to this church, He ignored their human reputation and told this church they were listed in the obituary!

Environment of death

The city of Sardis was a city of wealth. History tells us that in 550 b.c., King Croesus found gold in the city’s river and issued the first gold coins in history! Even in New Testament times, gold could be found all along its rivers.

In addition to its wealth, the city was known for its paganism. The favored idol was Cybele, and worshippers of this pagan god participated in wild, frenzied worship that included sexual immorality.

Remarkably, the community was at peace, for the inhabitants were comfortable in their self-sufficiency. This peaceful self-sufficiency had also invaded the church in Sardis; it became the peace of death. A peaceful coexistence with the city and its wickedness had settled into the church and all they had left was their reputation.

Evidence of a church’s death

Viewers of our television broadcast often write and ask, “How can I find a good church in my area? How can I tell if a church is alive and healthy?” A dead church has some basic characteristics that are spotted easily.

Ignores the Holy Spirit. When the complete work of God’s Spirit isn’t embraced in a church, that body is already headed for the grave. Jesus told the church at Sardis that they had a spirit of religion and didn’t have the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will not be managed or controlled by religious tradition or preferences! John 3:8 says, “The wind blows where it wills…so is every one who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

Lack of godly leadership. The “seven stars” mentioned in Revelation 3 stands for the messengers or pastors of the seven churches addressed in the letters. What the church in Sardis needed was a leader who was called by God and served Him whole-heartedly. Too many churches today fail to get God’s man. Several times a month our church offices receive requests from pastor-less churches that have been searching for a replacement. If these churches choose a pastor by his reputation, resume, physical appearance, or even recommendation, they may find later that they’ve made a big mistake. As important as background information is, the fruit issued in a pastor’s life and his walk with the Spirit of God is what should be investigated. The superficial doesn’t matter as much as the supernatural. Hiring solely on superficial facts may result in a short-tenured, flash in the pan, or morally bankrupt leader.

Reputation over reality. Sardis was a busy, working church with a good name—but it had death upon it. They were an organization, but not a living organism. Sadly, they were so caught up in their reputation they didn’t even realize that they had died. One winter night I noticed our house becoming colder and colder, even though I had turned our heat on full power. I called upon our faithful church grounds supervisor to take a look at the gas-heating unit, and he discovered the pilot light had gone out. The blower was blowing, but the fire was out. Going to church is good, if you meet God. Worship is good if it brings on God’s presence. Giving is good if we have first given ourselves. Prayer is good, but “if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.” Form without force is death to a church. It is like a store window containing lots of fluff and finery, but hiding an empty stockroom.

Growth in numbers without growth in people. The letter to Sardis indicated that even Christians who had life in the Sardis church were dying in the cold environment. Churches must offer ministry that encourages its members to grow in the Lord.

Ministry and work incomplete. Beginning a new program or outreach is easy; seeing it to completion is much more difficult! A dead church is a graveyard of partially fulfilled goals and half-baked programs. These skeletons are evidence that they went “partway” with the Lord and then backed up and sat down. A church that goes backward is doomed to death.

Escape from death! To eliminate the spirit of religion from your church, the leadership should gather and repent of religious death. Together they should acknowledge that Jesus’ kingdom is coming, and there will be an accounting for what they accomplish in His name. In almost any dead church, there are a handful of believers who do live in triumph and desire to be alive in God. This team of people should be lifted up and encouraged. Stay with the winning crowd! Finally, rebuke the religious pride that strangles your church. Reject the love of religion and its rules and reputation, and fall in love with Jesus. Determine to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in all decision-making regarding the church, and let His Word edify, rule, and reign from the pulpit.

Spirit of Inferiority (Revelation 3:7–8, 12)

Many times a pastor will contact me about a speaking engagement at a church, and he will begin by saying almost apologetically, “We are just a small church…” His tone implied a sense of weakness or inability. But there is nothing “little” or “insignificant” in the kingdom of God!

At the other end of the spectrum is the church that thinks they have all the answers, who loves to proclaim their statistics and numbers but are satisfied with mediocre efforts as long as they bring the church notoriety and recognition.

God deals strongly with the church in Revelation 3: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:10–12).

Too many churches and individuals use their supposed weakness as an excuse for failing to advance the cause of Christ. Such notions and statements are foreign to the New Testament portrait of the church. I am convinced that such an attitude is not only false and hurtful but also demonic in its origin. There is a stronghold of inferiority, self-pity, and weakness. The enemy deceives those manifesting this spirit by making them think their attitudes are actually meekness and humility. This counterfeit humility is debilitating to the kingdom of God, crippling the advance of the gospel, and it insults the Holy Spirit.

The church at Philadelphia was at risk to be overtaken by such a spirit. If they were ever to become a “pillar” in the kingdom, they would have to overcome the spirit.

The scripture sets forth the church as a victorious company. Matthew 16:18 declares, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In his great prayer for the church in Ephesians 3:14–21, Paul ends with this benediction, “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages” (Eph. 3:20–21).

It is “in the church” that Jesus looses His divine ability, energy, and glory. The answer to our inferiority is His superiority! It is not in trying harder, but in trusting wholly that His work is accomplished.

The church at Philadelphia had “a little strength” (Rev. 3:8). Greek culture, international commerce, and religious diversity dominated them. The pagan goddess Dionysus was worshiped. This ancient Greek god of wine was credited with inspiring ritual madness and ecstasy. Worship of Dionysus was thought to bring an end to care and worry. The city was also a center of orthodox Jewish worship.

This small church could have surrendered to the pressures around them. Yet they did not! They received the wonderful encouragement in Revelation, and history tells us that for nearly 1400 years, this city stood as a Christian city in the face of Muslim pressure. It was only after centuries of courageous resistance that the city was overthrown by an unholy military alliance of Byzantine and Muslim forces.

How did this church overcome inferiority and have a ministry that would last for 1400 years? They came to know the Lord of Opportunity (Rev. 3:7–8). Obedience always leads to opportunity! God promised this church the “key of David.” With God’s favor and their dependence upon His superiority, nothing could stop this body of believers!

Spirit of Pride (Revelation 3:14–17, 21)

Revelation 3 also issues a charge to the church at Laodicea. This city was a wealthy and prosperous one. So vast was their wealth that when an earthquake destroyed the city, they required no outside help to recover! Tacitus, the Roman historian, recorded, “Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of its own resources.” 

The city was famous for the dark, black wool they produced and was known as the center for fine wool in the ancient world. Laodicea also boasted a famous medical school, having produced two of the most popular medicines for treatment of eye and ear maladies. In short, this city was pompous and full of pride.

But here in Revelation 3, years have passed and now the church in Laodicea has fallen into a rut of mediocrity. The Lord Jesus Himself renders the verdict on this church. What was His appraisal? This lukewarm church was nauseating Him! What had happened to this church to make it slide into a state of mediocrity?

Lost fervency

Sadly, this church reflects the state of many American churches today. Not too cold…not too hot. Not too bad…not too good. Not too faithful…not too unfaithful. The Laodicea church was an ordinary church that had warmth but no fire. If asked about their work, they would say, “We are holding our own.”

Jesus is sickened by the mediocre. He would rather a church be as cold as the Arctic or as hot as the Sahara. In God’s work, there should be no place for “just getting by.”

Elijah recognized this need for commitment when he challenged Israel at the contest of the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. He shouted to the congregation, “If Baal be God, serve him, but if the Lord be God, serve Him!” Standing in the middle was not an option.

A complacent church is a disappointment to Jesus! Laodicea had lost the fire of love for Jesus and for lost souls. The altar fires of prayer were in need of rekindling. It was business as usual week after week. They needed to pray!

The great hymn by Gene Bartlett should be the earnest prayer of the church needing a fresh fervency:

O for a passion for souls, dear Lord!

O for a pity that yearns!

O for a love that loves unto death!

O for a fire that burns!

Lost faith

The Laodicean church had tried to become self-sufficient. They boasted of wealth, increase of goods, and that they needed nothing, not even the Lord. They were cursed by their wealth.

When the great Thomas Aquinas visited the Vatican, the Pope escorted him through the vast corridors and vaults adorned with jewels and gold. The Pope commented, “No longer do we say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.” Aquinas replied, “Neither do you say, ‘In the name of Jesus, Rise and walk!’”

A church’s reach must exceed its grasp. An ever-enlarging vision must be forged. The challenges we take should be beyond our resources, so that our reliance and faith remains upon God. Our dreams and our plans should be God-sized.

When God blesses financially, the church should give more to missions, build a needed building, add another staff member, and have the faith to stretch those resources to their limit.

Unfortunately, the Laodicean church did not really see their true condition. God said they were “wretched, poor, blind, naked”—they were pitiful in the sight of God. They were without riches and spiritually blind in God’s eyes. He looked at them and saw them as they really were: spiritually bankrupt.

Lost fear

This church no longer trembled in the presence of a righteous God. There was no remorse recorded for their failures. Jesus warns them by giving three motives to repent: His love, His rebuke, and His chastening rod. These three things could provide the motivation to set this church on the right track.

Lost fellowship

Jesus was standing and knocking outside the door of this church. At one point, He had been shut out; He was no longer the center of things. The church had no basis for fellowship with other churches because Jesus Christ was the only common ground among the fellowship of churches. Without Him, a church can have a “get together” without really being together in unity! “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

The presence of Jesus Christ is the ground of all true fellowship, but too many churches have shut Him out.

God’s Promise and Plea

Jesus keeps on knocking, hoping that someone in the church will open the door. When that happens, it sets the stage for revival and fellowship can be restored. A seat at the Lord’s table is promised when we welcome Him at ours. We can share in His glorious reign! So, let us blaze and burn for Him until He comes in the blaze of His glory.

Ron Phillips is pastor of Abba’s House in Hixson, Tenn., and author of Everyone’s Guide to Demons and Spiritual Warfare.

Watch Choo Thomas recall her vision of heaven and hell.

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Watch Bill Wiese expound on his trip to hell below.

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Lonnie Honeycutt

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Don Piper

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Dinesh D’Souza

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Sid Roth

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“Who gives this woman to
be wed to this man?” Even though I was expecting this question, hearing
it asked by the minister (who is my other son-in-law, Evan) caused a bit
of pause. Keep in mind that other than writing a bunch of checks, this
was my only real part in the ceremony. I was being asked to give my
daughter to the man standing beside Evan. Not to go on a date. Not for a
weeklong vacation. But forever!

This beautiful bride-to-be,
standing beside me and holding my hand was my daughter.

When she
was born I cut the umbilical cord. My wife and I stood beside her hospital bed
a

1 year of age as she fought an unexplainable blood infection. I taught her to
ride a bike. To swim. To drive a car (hence much of my gray hair). Much of the
money I have made in my life somehow poured through her hands.

Megan (or “Boo” as she will forever be to me) is our daughter. Daddy’s
girl. My blood runs through her veins. I would, without hesitation, give my life
for hers. I love her. Period. With all my heart. And I was being asked to
give her away.

Jared (her fiancé) is an amazing man. He loves
God, not just as talk, he walks it. He can pray. I know; I have prayed with him.
Worship is a lifestyle to him. He has incredible talent as a musician and a
voice that surprised me the first time I heard it. But, like my friend Charles
Billingsley, he does more than sing. He worships. And he leads others to also
worship.

God’s divine providence brought him into Megan’s life. He loves
her. I mean really adores her. He has adopted baby Elijah and cherishes
the idea of being his daddy. Their story is a miracle. Even with all of this, I
still took pause in answering the question. And then, this is how I
answered, “Her Heavenly Father, her mother and I.” And I did it with a willing,
joyous, proud heart.

However, if Jared had not been the man he is, if he
hadn’t loved her with his whole heart, if he was abusive or rude, if he treated
her with disdain and disregard, I promise you, the answer would have been very
different. In fact, we would not have even been to this point. Because with all
that is within me I would have tried to stop the relationship. Megan is my
daughter and I would never give her to a man who was not
worthy.

But God shows us a different kind of love. John 3:16 says, “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son.” Gave Him. Simply
because He loves the world. Love so powerful, so intense, so pure that He gave
His only Son. And here is what totally blows me away about that kind of
love. God gave His Son to a world that hated Him. He gave His Son to a world
that would not even acknowledge that He was His Son. He gave to a world that
totally and completely rejected Him. He gave His Son to a world that He knew
would mock Him, brutally beat Him (to the point that He no longer even looked
like a human being), strip Him totally naked, make Him carry His own instrument
of death, spit on Him, whip Him, and ultimately kill Him in the most degrading
and inhumane way possible.

God, the Father, knew this. And yet He
gave. At exactly the right time, when humanity was helpless, and being
good enough to get to heaven was hopeless, God gave. Maybe if it was for
good people, friends, people who loved Him, it could possibly be understood. But
for sinners? Amazing. Amazing grace and mercy.

This week, as you journey
in this walk we call Christianity, think about this kind of love. Love that
gave. A gift you do not have to earn, and no payment is necessary on our
part because the debt was paid in full by the very Son of God. A God who
gave freely and unconditionally. Take some time to thank your Father.
Thank Him that He loved. Thank Him that He cared. Thank Him that He
gave.

When a young pastor challenged his megachurch to abandon all for Jesus, few expected such a radical response

David Platt became one of the youngest megachurch pastors in history when in 2006, at the age of 28, he was appointed to lead The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala.

Yet just as remarkable is how his church of more than 4,000 responded to his challenge over a series of weekend services to take Jesus’ words at face value and abandon all for Him.

The result? Families (including Platt’s) downsized their living spaces, simplified their lifestyle and gave away profits to the poor. Business owners sold their companies to aid global and local mission work. Dormant believers became activated to launch ministries. And the church radically made over its budget to do more with less so it could invest more in local and global ministries.

This year, Brook Hills embarked on a one-year commitment called “The Radical Experiment” which includes dozens of short-term mission trips around the world to allow people a different context of service. “If we’re not careful, if I’m not careful, we can start to think the world looks like Birmingham,” Platt says.

In 1974, Army veteran William Moore returned to his Georgia home to find that his estranged wife had become a drug addict. Her addiction left him with little money to provide for their 4-year-old son, and in an act of desperation, Moore attempted to burglarize the home of an elderly man. But the robbery turned violent, and Moore murdered the 77-year-old. 

The former soldier pled guilty to robbery and murder charges and was given the death penalty. Through the next 16 years in prison he accepted Christ and began praying with other inmates and preaching the gospel to them. He also taught inmates to read and write and assisted them in appealing their sentences. “I’d do anything to help anyone so long as I was not focusing on me,” he said. 

While in prison Moore received 15 stays of execution,  and his death sentence eventually was reduced to life. In 1991, he was paroled. Moore is now the only self-confessed death-row inmate in Georgia to be released. The  victim’s family members, who are Christians, all spoke to the appeals board on Moore’s behalf. 

Moore says his freedom is a testament to God’s grace. “The only thing that I can say is Jesus Christ, that’s the answer,” Moore told Charisma. “Beyond that, Billy Moore isn’t a special person. It’s just God’s grace.”

Moore is now an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination and travels the country sharing his testimony and preaching the gospel. 

• Lee University
• Liberty Baptist Theological
• Oral Roberts University