“But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel…” Revelation 2:20
There are two Jezebels mentioned in the Bible. This is the second one, and Jesus called her by that name, not as a compliment. The first Jezebel was the evil, murderous wife of the Israelite king Ahab. She corrupted her husband and the nation through her promotion of pagan worship of Baal (You may learn more about this idolatrous evil woman in 1 Kings 18-21 and 2 Kings 9:30-37). The second Jezebel was similar to the wicked queen. Jesus commended the small church of Thyatira for their increase of the works of love, faith, and endurance. But then He rebuked them for tolerating this self-styled prophetess’ teaching and, by their tolerance, permitted her to seduce some believers into sexual immorality and engage in pagan practices. Then, in His love and grace, Jesus gave her time to repent, but she refused to repent. We are not told what actually happened, but Jesus warned of the consequences that would befall her.
In our culture these days, we are told to see tolerance as a virtue. “You do, you.” “I’m okay, you’re okay!” “Don’t make waves.” “Don’t be judgmental.” “Your truth isn’t my truth.” In the church, in the family of believers, as the bride of Christ, are we to stay silent when we see sin in the church? How are we to “speak the truth in love” and not seem to have a permissive attitude toward sin? This is a very real question in the family of God today. We see a couple who profess Christ living together without being married. We see the compromise causing ripples and affecting others, leading them also into sin. Remember Jesus’ letter was to the church, not the culture. That is an important distinction. In 1 Corinthians 13:6, we are told that love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with truth.” To live in the way of Jesus, with the heart of Jesus, is to love the sinner but not the sin. This reminds me of the story in John 8 of the woman caught in adultery. While we tend to focus on the slipping away of the accusers as they recognized their own sin, we must remember that Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more. He told her that because He knew that would be her best life, to walk fully with Him on His path.
We don’t look for “gotcha moments” but for restoration in whatever sinful situation that God reveals to us. But we can’t just be silent. Know what God says, seek His wisdom, search your own heart, pray, speak the truth, and love them. Perhaps repentance will follow, and God’s family will rejoice.
Prayer: Father, help me to speak when I should and be silent when I shouldn’t! Thank You that You are full of grace and mercy but You are also a Holy God. May I reflect who You are. In Your Son’s name, Amen
Francie Overstreet EFCC Member