SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1223

“The Jezebel of Unbelief”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24

Unbelief affects us all. It begins on a linear scale with atheism on one end and extends in varying degrees across the spectrum even to born again Christian believers.

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump… – Galatians 5:7-10

This ‘leaven’ of unbelief has been likened to that of a ‘Jezebel’ spirit that seeks to trip us up on our faith walk with Christ.

Jezebel was the daughter of a pagan priest of Baal who married Ahab, the King of Israel. If someone were to tell you that you act like Jezebel, they are not paying you a compliment. Her name has become synonymous with someone who will manipulate others and circumstances with lies to get what they want even to the point of murder. As queen, Jezebel worked to rid Israel of the worship of the one, true God and establish pagan worship of false gods. She harassed and killed almost all the prophets of God. She was known to promote sexual immorality and sensuality.

And Jezebel his wife said to him… I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So, she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.…. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.” – 1 Kings 21:7-14

Do you see the work of a Jezebel spirit in our nation today? We have legislated prayer, the Word of God, and Christianity out of our schools and public places. We have legislated same sex marriages into law – what God calls an abomination before Him. We are manipulating our laws to legalize the murder of the unborn innocent children, thereby promoting immorality and profiteering idol worship over the sanctity of life.

Just as Ahab and Jezebel led the nation of Israel into sin, so too is our nation leading its people away from the Truth of God and into unbelief.

We are not immune to the influence of the Jezebel of unbelief. Even Elijah became fearful of Jezebel’s threats against him following the great victory and miracle God worked in defeating the prophets of Baal.

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. – 1 Kings 19:1-3

What is holding you back from entering the rest that God has promised you? Jesus marveled at the unbelief of the people who would not bring their sick to Him to be healed or come to Him to hear the Truth of the Word of God. What is it that unbelief is preventing you from seeking help from the Lord for?

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief… – Mark 6:5-6

… And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So, we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. – Hebrews 3:16-19

Our society is fast-tracking away from God. As Christians we must not get caught up in that rat race. We must not place our relationship with Jesus as an agenda item on our to do list. Our life walk must be characterized as continual worship no matter the context we are in, whether it be at work, at play, in the marketplace or at church. We must not compromise our Christian values based on the Truth of the Word of God by blending it with current societal norms du jour.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me… for apart from me you can do nothing … If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you … As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love… – John 15:4-10

The antidote and defense against the Jezebel of unbelief is the abiding presence of Jesus. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!

Charles Spurgeon stated: ‘How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it.’