Let's keep Looking....

Let's look at the differences between Elijah and Jezebel:

* Elijah demands repentance * Jezebel hates repentance
*Elijah demands righteousness * Jezebel opposes righteousness
* Elijah speaks freedom * Jezebel desires control
* Elijah demands humility * Jezebel appeals to pride
* Elijah speaks God's ways * Jezebel uses deceit & systems of witchcraft

As prayer people, we need to aware of these differences, so that we can respond accordingly, when we see the wrong responses rising up in us, or in the prayer meetings we participate in. I've seen Jezebel operate in a prayer meeting, and let me tell you - it's not pretty! Two groups of intercessors came together to pray over their pastor. Each group had different prayer styles. When someone from 'one group' would pray, the others would listen, but with a critical ear. Remember that Jezebel fears true intercessory prayer because it knows that if we are praying without our own agendas, we will be praying God's thoughts and purposes. Nothing shuts Jezebel down faster! In this case, because each group was already suspicious of each other, and probably had unresolved offenses with each, their agenda was not to pray God's thoughts and purpose - their agenda was to protect the pastor from the other group. That meeting ended up in a public scene that caused embarrassment to the pastor AND wounding to a couple of wonderful intercessors. Plus their disunity allowed that pastor to be completely taken out within a year or so, as the intercessors spent more time fighting each other, than they did praying protection over their pastor from a Jezebel assignment that was being launched against him! By the time they recognized Jezebel's hand in what was happening - it was too late! A good man was take from his church and his city, and the rift between the intercessors increased until they were scattered to many different churches.

The one group was discerning that something was 'off' in the second group. The mistake was not their discernment. Their mistake was not asking God how to pray - what was His mind for this meeting. They immediately ( and not without cause), went into battle mode and as result, they were wounded and lost ground with the pastor! Why? Well, Proverbs tells us not to go to war without counsel or strategy. The enemy loves to reveal enough of himself and his position, to get intercessors to panic and come out swinging - without a plan! We've lost enough good intercessors who have such a heart and desire to pray, but haven't yet learned 'timing is everything'. While the enemy is jumping up and down, yelling 'Here I am" - we need to be quick to remember that it's not up to us to go charging into battle, without first having the battle plan from the Commander and Chief! The enemy is always willing to sacrifice a demon or two, if it means int eh long run, he can destroy a prayer group, or take out an intercessor!

The days of charging off without a plan, are fast coming to an end! We need to find the Generals of Prayer in our cities again. Look for the Captains in our churches! Find the leaders among us! We need to learn again how to work as a team, as a fight group! And when we do...we'll start taking back the ground we've lost in some areas...

Remember not every fighting group is huge! Look to the military for our examples. There are large platoons, but there are also small elite 'hit' squads that go in behind enemy territory and wreak havoc, as well as prepare the way for the larger troop to attack. We need to allow God to train us again and assign us our 'unit'! We need to make sure we are not allowing a Jezebel spirit to make us fight, what hasn't been assigned to us, or fight out of pride and jealousy!

Some common characteristics of Jezebel are:
Pushiness - this is someone who pushes their way into arenas of power in the church or prayer group
* Sowing seeds of discord - they'll come and divide what had previously been a cohesive prayer movement in a church
* Hate - for those that question them, it always becomes personal 'You're attacking me..'..
* Intimidation
* Distortion - they twist words...so it's really important to never meet one-on-one with someone under the influence of Jezebel or have phone conversations that aren't monitored

When Jezebel loses control, love and devotion can quickly turn to hate and destruction. Also they will constantly work at undermining legitimate relationship or authority, and put itself in the position of authority with a pastor or leader.

Remember...a Jezebel spirit fears true prayer - true intercession - because it is praying God's agenda and stirs people to repentance and godliness! (A definite death blow to it's power and influence!)