“They lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get their way. For them, it is a practical matter.” How I wish someone had taught me these things before I started dating for the first time. Life was always a game with men like this and they would do anything to win. Lesson learned.
There are Elijahs and Jezebles in this world. And it’s a battle for power. It may be at work, at home, or at church – but these spirits are present. God tells us to test the spirits. Not every spirit is from God. And not every spirit is friendly.
I recently received an interesting comment on a blog post about Jezebel. You can read it here – STOP TOLERATING THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT. A person thought that the Spirit of Jezebel was just about sex. I have not found that to be true. Yes, the Spirit of Jezebel uses her sexuality to control others, but it’s more than that. So today I thought I would compare and contrast these two spirits.
Leave me a comment if you think of more characteristics to add to these – thanks!
As a body of Believers, let us pray for the Lord to raise up the Elijahs to defeat the Jezebels in our Churches, our Schools, our Workplaces and our Homes. Show us your glory Lord, and RAISE UP THE ELIJAHS TO DEFEAT THE JEZEBELS, in Jesus Name.
(Featured Image Source – https://ddclaywriter.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/elijah-going-postal-on-prophets-but-running-scared-from-jezebel/)
Ok, my day to rant. Tired of life, tired of pretend, tired of the game…
Upset at others and myself. See, I am a Chameleon, I know how to do and say just what YOU want so I can fit in. I know how to play the game, be the quarterback, carry the ball, make the touchdown, etc. And believe me, I know how to wear the ‘uniform’.
Yet today, I am questioning my motives. Why am I playing this game? Why is it a game? What am I trying to prove? Why do I still want approval from men? And I know that if I am upset at what someone else is doing – then I am probably doing the SAME thing, only I see it in them first.
So, talking to me, myself, and I today, listen if you want:
It’s not about me, it’s all about HIM. What Jesus has done, not how good I am, how bad I am, how much I do or don’t do, whether I believe enough or have enough faith/money/time/ministry, etc. When am I going to take my eyes off of myself? Do this, don’t do that, follow these 5 things, you need to pray more, you need more faith, you need to believe more, you need to ______…blah, blah, blah.
So, I am selfish. Yep, I admit it. I think this God thing is all about my/our comfort and convenience, and what I bring or DO FOR GOD. Or that’s what we call it, to justify ourselves. That way we can keep busy and not come to Him. Or admit our faults to Him – or anyone else. Put a cross on it and pretend everything is good. Wear ourselves out ‘looking good’ on the outside. And we wonder why nobody wants what we have, why church membership is declining? Why our teens are leaving in droves?
Maybe they are tired of the game. Maybe they see behind the curtain we put back up. The one that says, “Hey look at me and what I have done for God.” Don’t you want some of this?
Yeah right – how is that working for you Ms. D? Peaceful yet? Happy? Content?
Nope. Rather miserable actually.
Organized religion has dummied down the Gospel and Jesus to a 3 point sermon. And they are charging you for a copy of the tape.
I’m so tired of the games. Tired of the Kingdoms fighting to be on top. Tired of the positioning, the blaming, the fighting – to be noticed. Everyone is looking for self-importance, self glory. “I did this, but I didn’t do that, but she (or he) is/isn’t isn’t doing this. Hey I go to this event, but you don’t. Hey, I do this, but you don’t. Hey you don’t get to help do this because ‘I want to make sure it’s done right.’ ” Let’s just keep playing the game right?
It’s kind of amazing the hail and brimstone hasn’t fallen down and blown us all to bits for our childish attitudes. The fight to stay on top.
Who is the best Preacher?
Who is the best singer?
Who is the best Teacher?
UGGGGH – NONE OF US!
So why are we playing?
What are we trying to prove?
And – Why are we fighting to prove it?
And who are we walking on top of to be right?
Can you do the ‘right’ thing with the ‘wrong’ attitude?
Is that right then? Or wrong?
Here is part of an article I found at Crosswalk.com by Dr. James Emery White that talks about this issue.
(Click the title to read more of the article)
Yet a spiritual narcissism has invaded our thinking where the individual needs and desires of the Believer become the center of attention.
Have you ever heard the way we talk?
“I want to go where I’m fed” or “I need to be ministered to” rolls off our tongues without even blushing. We walk out of a worship service and say, “I didn’t get anything out of it” as if worship was about what we received rather than what we gave to God.
And it’s killing the church, blinding our vision, paralyzing our mission, and muting our voice.
But is it simply a reflection of a narcissistic culture? Or could it be something we secretly feed ourselves?
Pride – still dealing with it myself. Holy Spirit is still showing me the high places that need to come down. Mountains of Self that I have in my mind, whether they are right or wrong beliefs. I think I have a BELIEF MOUNTAIN, and a FEELINGS MOUNTAIN and an ENTITLEMENT MOUNTAIN and a GUILT MOUNTAIN and an ANGER MOUNTAIN and a SELF LOATHING MOUNTAIN, and a SELF PROMOTION MOUNTAIN etc. that all need to FALL DOWN.
How about you? I know, my attitude sucks today. Just being truthful, take it or leave it, just where I’m at today. I’m sitting down, I’ll sit on the sidelines for a while. Ms D doesn’t want to play.
At that time the disciples came up and asked Jesus, Who then is [really] the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me.
Now an eager contention arose among them [as to] which of them was considered and reputed to be the greatest. But Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles are deified by them and exercise lordship [ruling as emperor-gods] over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors and well-doers. But this is not to be so with you; on the contrary, let him who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who is the chief and leader like one who serves. For who is the greater, the one who reclines at table (the master), or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am in your midst as One Who serves.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Featured Image Source: www.thomasvan.com