AHAB’S COVENANT WITH THE WORLD

At one time Ahab did repent at the preaching of Elijah: “And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me?" (1 Kings 21:29). From that day on he could look back and say, "Repentance? Yes, under the preaching of that great prophet of God, Elijah." But to Ahab it was a one-time experience, not a daily walk. The problem was that he had become a friend and brother to the world. Brother, meaning "affinity, one just like me, one I respect." He was in covenant with what God had cursed. Ahab claimed to love the truth, but deep inside he hated reproof.

Many today say, “We want only the truth. Preach it like it is!” But in their hearts they are saying, "Too much gloom, it’s too hard. I can't stand anymore of this."

Ahab was blind to the terrible fact that he was being guided by a lying spirit. This lying spirit caused Zedekiah, a false prophet, to boast that the Spirit of God was upon him (see 1 Kings 22:24). Ahab was now fully persuaded he was hearing God's voice and that he would come back victorious.

Christians bound by the Jezebel doctrine are 100 percent sure they are right. They cannot see the deception. Ahab did not go up thinking, "The four hundred are false; they have no word from God.” No, he went up fully convinced—fully deceived—totally seduced.

Why do some Christians fall into deception? "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7:8-10). There is the answer. A clinging to some pet sin, some secret idol in the heart. A justifying of sin, a brotherhood with the world. Then they come to God's house boasting, "I'm not convicted." This is an open invitation to lying spirits.