What can we learn from the church of Thyatira?
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. Revelation 2:18-23
Be discerning
This was a good church with good teaching but passive towards one person who sinned and led others to sin. The above scriptures are an important reminder to all of us to be discerning of the teaching we receive regardless of the person or the success of the ministry. We cannot become gullible and simply believe and receive whatever is taught. Any person and any church can get derailed over time. That’s why it is important to stay alert, study, and examine the scriptures to ensure what is taught is Biblical and balanced.
If a leader falls into sin or gets derailed from sound teaching, God is going to hold him/her accountable. At the same time, we are held accountable to our knowledge of the Bible not what our leaders or our pastors taught us. Jezebel’s followers got the same judgment as her!
Be aware when one takes a scripture to prove their point! Look for other scriptures related to that topic and do your own study. God may not deal with someone’s error right away, but their short-term success does not mean God is pleased with them. The Lord is never passive about sin!
This woman called herself a prophetess; as a result people just took her words as the utterance of God. Sometimes we can be so enamored by the individuals’ success, title, or popularity, that we forget to pay attention to what is communicated.
Be aware of becoming religious
One of the reasons we get religious is because we subtly think we have arrived and know everything there is to know about Christianity. We’re not open to hearing from others especially those who are not part of our church or denomination. We think that we have reached the pinnacle of knowledge and understanding.
Some people become religious because of the number of years they have walked with God. They don’t want to hear someone who is younger in the faith to challenge them or share a new revelation with them.
Some are still drinking the milk of the word and are not ready to chew on the meat to deal with harder issues. They have a self-satisfaction with their spiritual state out of lack knowledge. These individuals are a target for being easily influenced!
Others are religious because they grew up in the culture of faith. Their uncle or grandpa was a pastor, so they think that they have a direct line to God because of their association with Godly people. What if this Jezebel was our aunt or mother? Would we able to see her issues? Or would our love and affection cloud our judgment?
The main danger of being religious is over-confidence and becoming unteachable. The Lord must have sent the voice of correction and conviction into the life of this church! That’s why Jesus was waiting for her to repent. If we are open, we will hear the truth through His word, His spirit, or others.
Sometimes we are surprised by the fall of a leader, but when you look behind the scenes, God had been trying to get the leader’s attention for sometime. They just refused to respond and confidently went about their business teaching, preaching, and acting like they have done nothing wrong!
Lord protect our churches from Jezebels, false teachers, and false prophets. Help us to be discerning while we remain teachable!