The recent histrionics enacted by Mark Driscoll at the Stronger Men's Conference at Assemblies of God NAR James River "Church" are, in my view, a publicity stunt staged to propel him into the spotlight. Driscoll's attention-seeking has had the desired effect, and many people are talking about his altercation with "pastor" John Lindell online. I will not expand on the altercation here except to say that yet another NAR "church" has been exposed as worldly and totally out of step with biblical Christianity. Driscoll's book "New Days, Old Demons" has recently been released and he has also released a number of YouTube videos on the subject of the so-called "Jezebel spirit".
Driscoll formed Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2016 two years after suddenly departing Mars Hill Church, leaving a trail of accusations and spiritual damage in his wake. He has now ditched Calvinism in support of the NAR and has labelled the five points of Calvinism "garbage".1 While Driscoll's assessment of Calvinism is not wrong, his teaching on the "Jezebel spirit" can equally be described as garbage. More accurately it is dangerous garbage!
The Jezebel Spirit
In an X post with a link to a sermon, Driscoll asks, “What is the Jezebel spirit, and how is she destroying the American church? Today we pull back the veil on the demonic."2
Driscoll: “The Jezebel spirit is not a synonym for ‘tramp,’ and it's got nothing to do with racism. The Jezebel spirit is a demon that has worked through men and women for centuries, from Queen Jezebel in 1st Kings to Jesus's rebuke of the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2,” he wrote on X. "This demon seeks to control and dominate, most often through seductive women but oftentimes through overbearing, domineering men. I literally wrote the book on this. I want to give it away absolutely free. I get nothing out of it, I just want men and women to learn more about the spiritual war behind the war we see."3
As far as I am aware, biblical scholars have never entertained the possibility of a "Jezebel spirit". Once again, Mickey Mouse NAR pastors seem to be the only ones eisegeting Revelation 2:20. This interpretation is rife within charismatic NAR "demon slayer" circles e.g. Kathryn Krick, Bill Johnson, Isaiah Salvidar, Vlad Savchuck etc. The "Jezebel spirit" is often associated with manipulation, control, and division. Anyone daring to question church leadership or exercising critical thinking is at risk of being slurred with this label. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). Blame-shifting often coincides with gaslighting and other forms of abuse. Psychology Today: "A blame-shift is meant to absolve the abuser of responsibility but it also effectively makes the target feel guilty or shamed."4 This is precisely what is taking place within the NAR and is not a new stratagem of the enemy. (1 Corinthians 2:11). The prophet Elijah was labelled "troubler of Israel". (1 Kings 18:17). NAR leaders infiltrate the true church with idolatry, manipulation and control, claiming to be apostles and prophets and generally causing havoc. Paradoxically NAR leaders themselves are the very epitome of Jezebel!
The scriptures do not describe a "spirit of Jezebel" Rather Jezebel is a byword and a symbol of all the wicked things she represents. Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians whose family was devoted to the worship of Baal and Astarte. Israel's King Ahab, married Jezebel despite the Lord's explicit command not to intermarry with the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 7:1-4).
Jezebel is alluded to in the Book of Revelation:
Revelation 2:20 does not identify "that woman Jezebel" as a spirit. Evil spirits are specifically identified. e.g. the spirit of Antichrist.(1 John 4:3); the spirit of error (τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης. (1 John 4:6); deceitful spirits (πνεύμασι πλάνοις) and teachings of demons. i.e. evil spirits animating false teachers.5 (1 Timothy 4:1); a spirit of divination (πνεῦμα Πύθωνα) a Python. (Acts 16:16); impure spirits/demonic spirits. (Revelation 16:13-14); various instances of unclean spirits. ( Mark 1:27); deaf and mute spirit. (Mark 9:25).
Driscoll also refers to the "spirit of Ahab" and the "spirit of Elijah". Elijah is juxtaposed with Jezebel in the text of 1 and 2 Kings. There is no evidence of a "spirit of Elijah" in the scriptures. Malachi 4:5-6 warns about judgement and the appearance of Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah. (Matthew 11:13-14). The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus at His transfiguration is a significant event in the New Testament. (Matthew 17:1-3). It is further speculated that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. Believers have been given the Holy Spirit and have no business calling upon any other spirit.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).
2. Pastor John Lindell Apologizes for Inviting Driscoll & Sword-Swallower to Stronger Men's Conference (julieroys.com)
3. Mark Driscoll slams Jezebel spirit at Stronger Men's Conference | Church & Ministries News (christianpost.com)
4. 5 Kinds of Blame-Shifting, and Why They Work | Psychology Today
5. 1 Timothy 4 Vincent's Word Studies (biblehub.com)
6. Topical Bible: Jezebel (biblehub.com)
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