As I continue this study, I aim to expose the deceptive strategies of Satan and the spirit of Jezebel, rooted in his ancient role in heaven and his cunning ability to mimic God’s works. Before the world was created, Satan, then called Lucifer, held a unique position, as described in Ezekiel 28:
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, and shall be no more forever.”’”
—Ezekiel 28:11-19
I’ve observed that Lucifer was a beautiful creature, his body designed with instruments for worship (Ezekiel 28:13). As the anointed cherub covering God’s throne (Ezekiel 28:14), he was uniquely close to God, immersed in His light, worship, anointing, wisdom, and fire. But pride led to his banishment from God’s holy mountain. I’ve realized that Satan’s intimate knowledge of these divine attributes makes him a formidable deceiver, capable of counterfeiting God’s works to mislead even Christians.
Satan’s Expertise in Deception
Through my study, I’ve seen that Satan’s former role equips him to deceive with precision. He is an expert in:
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The Light of God: Once called Lucifer, meaning “light-bearer,” he now presents himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), fooling many leaders who mistake his counterfeit for God’s truth.
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The Worship of God: Familiar with heavenly worship, he allows worship of God only if it’s secondary to other priorities, diverting devotion from the Creator.
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The Anointing of God: As a once-anointed cherub, he mimics God’s anointing, creating emotional experiences that feel authentic but lack divine power.
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The Wisdom of God: Having lived on God’s holy mountain, he imitates divine wisdom to manipulate.
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The Fire of God: Accustomed to the fiery stones, he fakes God’s spiritual fire to mislead.
I’ve noted that Satan hates that we, as believers, can now access what he lost forever. He produces copies of God’s works—false light, worship, anointing, wisdom, and fire—that look and feel real. Wherever God begins a new work, Satan creates a deceptive replica. While he cannot produce true light, his fakes are convincing enough to deceive many leaders. I’ve seen him tolerate worship of God as long as it’s not the top priority. His ability to fake God’s anointing makes people feel good, masking the absence of true spiritual power. Often depicted as a dark figure, Satan’s true danger lies in his ability to appear as an angel of light, fooling countless believers.
I’ve learned that Satan is not foolish. If he were, he wouldn’t deceive so many Christians. If he appeared as darkness, we’d recognize him instantly. But his guise as an angel of light makes him hard to detect. Thankfully, I believe God has not left us defenseless. With Jesus Christ living in us and the Holy Spirit as our Royal Seal, we can discern Satan’s works by listening to the Spirit and testing everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Yet, I’ve pondered: can a church produce good works if infiltrated by Satan or his agents? Surprisingly, the answer is yes.
Jezebel’s Influence in the Church
The church in Thyatira illustrates this paradox:
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”
—Revelation 2:18-29
I’m amazed that Thyatira produced abundant good works—love, service, faith, and patience, even surpassing its earlier efforts—despite Jezebel’s presence. From the outside, it appeared as a vibrant, appealing church, one many today would want to join. In fact, I suspect many Christians are part of such churches without realizing it. At first glance, everything seems powerful and full of faith. When Jezebel infiltrates, it doesn’t always cause chaos; the church can still appear orderly and fruitful. I’ve seen that Satan’s counterfeits, crafted with his knowledge of God’s works, make Jezebel’s influence subtle. As long as her agenda faces no opposition, she and Ahab remain hidden, maintaining an illusion of peace while secretly advancing their destructive work.
Jezebel’s Path to Power
I’ve observed that when Jezebel infiltrates a church, she works her way to the top. She appoints herself to roles like apostle, evangelist, teacher, pastor, or prophet, demanding respect for her position. She claims to receive words and visions from God, but these always include instructions for leaders, subtly directing them to align with her agenda. Step by step, she gains more authority and control. Her ultimate goal is to destroy worship in spirit and truth, thereby quenching the anointing. I’ve learned that this happens when focus shifts from Jesus to herself or her works. This reflects a complete lack of humility or a false humility. When Jesus is no longer the priority, the anointing fades. If a church or ministry lacks anointing, I believe it’s because something else has taken first place and is being worshiped.
Worship, as I’ve come to understand, isn’t just singing praises. It’s about what holds the highest priority in our hearts. Anything—whether a person, position, or agenda—that takes Jesus’ place becomes an idol. I’ve also discovered a deeper truth: what we fear is also our god. Fear influences our choices, pushing us toward false security. I’ve seen that fear and worship are interconnected, both rooted in the heart’s structure. Jezebel uses fear as a tool to control, intimidating leaders into inaction. I’ve encountered leaders who recognize her presence but do nothing out of fear, already ensnared by her power. Others, spiritually blinded, fall into her trap unknowingly.
Scripture guides us to fear only God:
You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
—Psalm 22:23
Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.
—2 Chronicles 19:7
I’ve found that fearing God alone aligns our hearts with His guidance, offering true safety and direction.
The Danger of False Prophets
Ironically, I’ve noticed that many leaders preaching against Jezebel are themselves influenced or demonized by her spirit. The first thing Jezebel does is blind and deafen them to her presence, making them unaware of their compromise. I’ve also seen dozens of self-proclaimed prophets claiming to speak for God but acting as false prophets under Jezebel’s influence. When her spirit gains any foothold in a church or ministry, it causes destruction, ultimately killing the anointing. God Himself intervenes:
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
—Revelation 2:22
I’m encouraged by God’s mercy, giving those influenced by Jezebel a chance to repent. However, unrepented sin leads to the downfall of such ministries.
The Necessity of Testing
Jezebel thrives when we neglect God’s command to test everything:
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
—1 Thessalonians 5:21
I’ve learned that assuming we don’t need the Holy Spirit’s guidance for every decision is prideful. Our carnal nature craves independence, but God calls us to dependence on Him:
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
—Ephesians 4:17-24
Failing to test everything leaves us blind to truth, allowing Jezebel to destroy the body of Christ. Pride, one of her key fruits, opens the door for her influence.
A Call to Discernment
I urge believers to listen to the Holy Spirit and test every spirit, leader, and work. Satan’s knowledge of God’s attributes makes him a cunning foe, and Jezebel’s tactics are subtle, but with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can expose their deception. By keeping Jesus first, we protect the anointing and uphold worship in spirit and truth. As I’ve seen, discernment and dependence on God are our greatest defenses against these spiritual threats.
