LET’S CUT THROUGH THE BULL! By Edwin Christiaan

When Jesus was rebuking the Thyatira Church for allowing Jezebel to rule over them, He was talking about a WOMAN, NOT a MAN!

Jesus clearly said: “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that WOMAN—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray.” Revelations 2:20 NLT

Jesus was comparing this woman in the Thyatira Church to the infamous, wicked woman, Queen Jezebel, from the Old Testament days, who was known for undermining the authority of her husband, King Ahab, by controlling and manipulating him, and taking over his leadership. (See 1. Kings 21)

I have heard many women, especially those who have the Jezebel spirit, cleverly confusing this issue and shifting the focus off from themselves, by saying that the spirit of Jezebel also operates in men! You will find these women in prophetic church circles, many times leading the gatherings. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus emphasized that Jezebel calls herself a prophet, who “leads My servants astray”? During our many years of traveling for the ministry, we have encountered so many women – too many to count - who are self-proclaimed prophets. These women are always, very shrewdly and undetected, leading people away from Christ into deception, with false teachings and false prophecies!

As part of His rebuke to the Thyatira Church, Jesus also said that Jezebel is a false teacher, who teaches ‘deeper truths’ - revelations that in actuality explore the ‘depths of Satan’! (See Revelation 2:24) This is exactly what is going on in these prophetic gatherings, where the Jezebel women flock.    

So, let’s cut to the chase: The Jezebel spirit only pertains to women, simply because of the fact that men have been given natural authority from God - it’s not something they would need to fight to get, they already have it! Women, on the other hand, have not been given that same authority! But they feel they should have it, and feel treated unfairly by God. That is why the purpose of this particular demonic spirit of Jezebel is to take the position of leadership authority that the man has in marriage and church, by using manipulation, control, domination, and seduction to achieve this! They’re trying to force nature and God, but they will always experience God resisting them in this area, adding to the offense they feel.

www.jezebelspirit.net

www.instituteoflove.net

JESUS HASN'T CHOSEN THOSE WHO KEEPS ON SINNING - By Edwin Christiaan

Jesus will never choose someone to be His follower, who KEEPS ON living in their sinful lifestyle!

Why? Because the Bible says: “For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, Jesus Christ!” Romans 8:29 NLT

Jesus only chooses those, who will become like Him! And, in order to become like Jesus Christ, you cannot live a lifestyle of someone who indulges in sexual sin, who worship idols, or commit adultery, or is a male prostitute, or a homosexual, or a thief, or greedy person, or a drunkard, or an abuser, or a cheater! (See 1. Corinthians 6:9-10) Jesus was none of these things!

On the contrary, those Jesus has chosen will testify, saying that once they were like that, but now they are cleansed and made holy and right with God! (See 1. Corinthians 6:11)

God’s chosen children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son, Jesus Christ holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them! (See 1. John 5:18) They will become like their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

PIGS WILL TURN ON YOU AND ATTACK YOU! By Edwin Christiaan @edchristiaan

Jesus said: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” Matthew 7:6 NLT

Pigs here are representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it has been given to them. We are not to give the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone, who has no other purpose than to trample it and return to his own evil ways. We identify such people through discernment, as indicated in 1. Corinthians 2:15 NLT: ^“Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things!”

This does not mean that we refrain from preaching the gospel, but if anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, let him or her go, and as the Bible says; shake the dust from your feet as you leave! (See Matthew 10:14)

The gospel is not for those who mock and trample it, and then turn on you and abuse you!

THE OVERWEIGHT DILEMMA By Edwin Christiaan

Being overweight is probably one of the most depressing problems plaguing Christians today. It has become an epidemic! They greatly struggle with low self-esteem, self-rejection, and self-hatred. Many are also jealous and even scoff at those who are slim and look good. Just telling them to consume fewer calories than their bodies burns over the course of a day or week, does not cut it for most of them. Beside health issues that can cause weight gain, most of these people are comfort-eaters, meaning they compulsively eat because of unresolved pain or traumas caused at some point in their lives. They just cannot control the urge inside of them for the need to medicate themselves with food, and in doing so, easing the pain!

And yet the Bible says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control! (See Galatians 5:22-23)

In other words, anybody who is chosen by God, will be able to overcome being overweight or obese by exercising self-control!

As the apostle Paul said: “I am allowed to do anything, but not everything is good or beneficial for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything! (See 1. Corinthians 6:12, 1. Corinthians 10:23)

“For you are a slave to whatever controls you!” 2. Peter 2:19 NLT

CHRISTIANS THAT JESUS DID NOT CHOOSE!

The majority of the people in the churches fall into the category of those “who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced!” Mark 4:18-19 NLT

These are Christians, who do not have the same humble and serving attitude that Christ Jesus had! They selfishly look out only for their own interests, want to get rich, and have a worry free lifestyle! (See Philippians 2:3-5)

These are the type of Christians who are jealous of what others have. They quarrel, fight and scheme to take it away from them. And when they ask God for things, their prayers are not being answered, because their motives are all wrong, they only want what will give them pleasure! (See James 2:1-4)

You do not see lasting fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control been produced in these Christians! (See Galatians 5:22-23)

Therefore, it is clear that Jesus did not choose these Christians as He says: “You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name!” John 15:16 NLT

Jesus warns to, “Beware of false prophets (Christians) who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.  You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.” Matthew 7:15-16 NLT

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” Matthew 7:18 NLT

“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:20 NLT

WHEN YOU ARE CHOSEN, YOU WILL BECOME LIKE JESUS! By Edwin Christiaan

Jesus said: “You didn’t choose Me. I chose you!” And: “For many are called, but few are chosen!” John 15:16, Matthew 22:14 NLT

“For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son!” Romans 8:29 NLT

And the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He corrects and punishes each one He accepts as His child! (See Hebrews 12:6)

In other words, because God has chosen you and accepted you as His child, He will make you become like His Son! Therefore, God uses the struggles of this life, like pain, stress, persecution, misunderstandings, and financial problems to shape your character, so you end up living right and looking like His Son, Jesus Christ!

For this reason Hebrews 12 verse 11 NLT says:

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way!”

“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children!” Hebrews 12:7 NLT

JEZEBEL UNDERMINES AUTHORITY By Edwin Christiaan

In a Christian marriage, the man is the head of his wife and has the responsibility to lovingly lead his wife in doing the will of God! (See Ephesians 5:22-33)

But, if the man is married to a woman who possesses the Jezebel Spirit, she will undermine his God-given authority and she will end up leading him astray, away from the will of God into sickness, financial ruin, and defeat! (See Revelation 2:20-23)