The Spirit of Jezebel, Religious Manipulation, Unequal Judgment, and the Children Who Were Wounded
To Mozell Scott, wife of Judah Scott, and Belinda Scott, wife of Job Scott:
THIS WAS WITNESSED. THE SUFFERING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MUST NO LONGER BE DISMISSED.
This is an open biblical rebuke concerning the treatment of children, families, and congregation members under a system of religious fear, intimidation, unequal discipline, public humiliation, and spiritual control. This is not a request for permission to question leadership. This is a call for accountability. No position, marriage, family name, or claim of spiritual authority places anyone above the Word of the Most High.
THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL: WHEN CONTROL DISGUISES ITSELF AS HOLINESS
Scripture declares, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants.” — Revelation 2:20. The biblical warning concerning Jezebel addresses corrupt spiritual influence, deception, and teaching that leads people away from righteousness. It is a warning that must be considered whenever intimidation, gossip, religious pressure, and fear are used to control a congregation.
CONTROL IS NOT HOLINESS. INTIMIDATION IS NOT SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY. GOSSIP IS NOT DISCERNMENT. HUMILIATION IS NOT RIGHTEOUS CORRECTION.
Using the name of the Most High to demand unquestioning submission does not make manipulation holy. Mozell Scott and Belinda Scott, the influence exercised through Bible-school teaching and church leadership carries responsibility. The concerns surrounding your teaching, treatment of children, and application of church standards demand examination.
THE BIBLE-SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN
Mozell Scott and Belinda Scott, you taught Bible school. You were entrusted with teaching children the Word of the Most High. That responsibility was sacred. Those children were supposed to learn righteousness, truth, mercy, compassion, discernment, and the love of God.
INSTEAD, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, DISMISSIVENESS, PARTIALITY, BULLYING, AND THE PUNISHMENT OF DIFFERING OPINIONS WERE WITNESSED.
Mozell Scott, particular concerns arise from the treatment of children who disagreed with your interpretations of Scripture. A child asking questions is not committing rebellion. A child having a different understanding is not committing witchcraft. A child challenging an interpretation is not attacking the Most High. NO BIBLE-SCHOOL TEACHER HAS THE RIGHT TO PUNISH A CHILD SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT CHILD DISAGREES WITH HER.
Scripture says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Children should have been encouraged to examine Scripture, not fear the person teaching it. They should have learned to distinguish the commandments of the Most High from the opinions and traditions of adults. They should have been able to ask questions without humiliation or punishment. THE WORD OF GOD MUST NEVER BE TWISTED INTO A WEAPON AGAINST CHILDREN.
THE CHILDREN WHO WERE BULLIED WHILE LEADERSHIP LOOKED AWAY
The bullying and intimidation of children by other children connected to influential families were witnessed. Children were threatened with being reported to powerful parents. Accusations became a means of creating trouble for others. Family connections appeared to provide influence and protection unavailable to ordinary members.
A CHILD SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO FEAR ANOTHER CHILD’S FAMILY NAME.
No child should be condemned without a fair hearing. No child should be humiliated because someone influential made an accusation. No child should be taught that their worth before the Most High depends on a prominent church family’s approval.
Jesus warned, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck.” — Matthew 18:6. The responsibility of Bible-school teachers was to protect the children entrusted to them. Bullying required correction. False accusations required investigation. Intimidation required intervention. THE CHILDREN OF LEADERSHIP WERE NOT ENTITLED TO DIFFERENT RULES.
ONE STANDARD FOR THE CONGREGATION AND ANOTHER FOR LEADERSHIP’S HOUSEHOLD
For years, restrictions concerning school sports, prom, outside friendships, and participation in ordinary social activities were imposed upon members as matters of religious obedience. Families were expected to comply. Children were expected to sacrifice. Parents feared the spiritual consequences of disobedience. Yet serious questions remain about whether these standards were relaxed or selectively applied as children and grandchildren connected to leadership reached adulthood.
WHAT CHANGED? DID THE WORD OF THE MOST HIGH CHANGE? OR DID THE INTERESTS OF LEADERSHIP FAMILIES CHANGE?
If these restrictions came directly from Scripture, where are the Scriptures supporting them? If they were church traditions, why were members made to fear divine judgment for violating them?
Jesus warned, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9. What was forbidden to one family’s child cannot become permissible merely because another family’s grandchild desires it.
Scripture commands, “Observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” — 1 Timothy 5:21. No family should receive special protection because of its position in the church.
THE HYPOCRISY OF PUBLIC CONDEMNATION AND PRIVATE PROTECTION
Members were subjected to strict teachings and discipline concerning sexual conduct, participation in the world, and other doctrinal standards. Public shame was used to demonstrate the consequences of violating those rules. Yet allegations concerning misconduct within leadership families raise questions about whether comparable standards were consistently enforced.
Those allegations include claims of drug-related conduct and violations of the church’s sexual-morality teachings. Such claims require truthful, impartial examination rather than automatic acceptance or dismissal.
THE CENTRAL QUESTION IS WHY ONE FAMILY’S CHILDREN COULD BE PUBLICLY EXPOSED WHILE ANOTHER FAMILY’S CHILDREN APPEARED PROTECTED.
If fornication was condemned, the standard could not depend on a person’s last name. If wrongdoing required discipline, family influence could not determine the outcome. If children were publicly humiliated for violating rules, favored children could not be exempt from accountability.
Jesus warned, “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” — Matthew 23:4.
YOU CANNOT TEACH HOLINESS THROUGH FAVORITISM. YOU CANNOT TEACH TRUTH THROUGH INTIMIDATION. YOU CANNOT TEACH RIGHTEOUSNESS WHILE EXCUSING BULLYING. YOU CANNOT TEACH CHILDREN TO LOVE GOD BY MAKING THEM AFRAID OF YOU.
GOSSIP, ACCUSATIONS, AND THE USE OF FEAR
The consequences of gossip, accusations, and intimidation were witnessed in the treatment of members who feared being reported, publicly corrected, or disciplined. Accusations must never become instruments of revenge. A child must never be condemned merely because someone connected to leadership accuses them. A family must never be pushed out of fellowship without fairness and an opportunity to respond.
Scripture says, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” — Proverbs 19:5. Proverbs 6:16–19 also condemns a lying tongue, false witness, and those who sow discord among brethren.
A CHURCH THAT DEMANDS TRUTH MUST FIRST PRACTICE TRUTH.
PUBLIC SHAME FOR SOME, PRIVATE CORRECTION FOR OTHERS
People were reportedly placed apart from the congregation as a visible sign of discipline. Members were subjected to accusations and correction before elders. Such practices deserve serious examination, particularly where they caused humiliation or were applied unequally. Correction is supposed to pursue restoration. It must not become a weapon against families. It must not become a demonstration of who holds power.
Scripture says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.” — Galatians 6:1.
RESTORE. NOT TERRORIZE. CORRECT. NOT HUMILIATE. SHEPHERD. NOT DOMINATE.
Where members experienced public harm, accountability must address that harm directly.
THE THRONE OF GOD DOES NOT BELONG TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP
No man or woman has exclusive access to the Most High. No pastor’s wife determines whose prayers reach Heaven. No Bible-school teacher has authority to make a child feel spiritually abandoned because that child disagrees with her. No prominent church family owns another family’s spiritual destiny.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16.
Every parent can approach that throne. Every child can approach that throne. Every wounded member can approach that throne. First John 2:27 also teaches that believers have an anointing that abides in them. This does not eliminate the place of biblical teachers, but no human teacher replaces the work of the Spirit.
THE MOST HIGH IS NOT OWNED BY A FAMILY, A PULPIT, OR A CHURCH TITLE.
A CALL FOR REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION
Mozell Scott and Belinda Scott, the influence exercised through Bible-school teaching and church leadership must be accountable to the same Word taught to the congregation. Where children were harmed, their experiences deserve acknowledgment. Where Scripture was manipulated, there must be correction. Where disagreement was punished, there must be repentance. Where bullying was tolerated, there must be accountability. Where gossip harmed reputations, truth must be restored. Where favoritism distorted discipline, the same standard must apply to everyone. Where man-made rules were presented as divine commandments, those teachings must be examined.
PUBLIC HARM DESERVES APPROPRIATE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
Scripture says, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” — Matthew 3:8. Repentance is not hiding behind church titles. Repentance is not blaming wounded families. Repentance is not searching for whoever raised these concerns. Repentance is not demanding silence. Repentance is demonstrated through truth, humility, changed conduct, and meaningful restoration.
TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO WERE WOUNDED
The Most High heard the cries that people were afraid to speak aloud. He saw the tears. He saw the confusion. He saw the fear. He saw parents struggling to protect their children. He saw children who came to associate religion with humiliation. He saw families whose relationships suffered under spiritual pressure.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” — Psalm 34:18.
To every person who was wounded: YOUR VOICE MATTERS. YOUR EXPERIENCES MATTER. YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOST HIGH DOES NOT REQUIRE THE PERMISSION OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP.
But freedom also carries responsibility. Let testimony be truthful. Let accusations be supported. Let no innocent person be condemned. Let no child be exposed to further harm. Let no one become cruel while confronting cruelty.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12.
That includes leaders and members alike. No one is above correction. No one is beyond the need for repentance. And no one should be denied compassion because they lack position or influence.
THE CHILDREN DESERVED BETTER. THE MOST HIGH’S WORD DEMANDS BETTER.
May the Most High bring truth into the light, restore wounded families, heal the children, and establish justice without partiality.
Signed,
A Call for Biblical Accountability and Restoration
TO THOSE WHO WISH TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES
This space is open to those affected by fear-based church discipline, unequal treatment, bullying, public humiliation, and family separation. Share what you personally witnessed or experienced. Protect children’s identities and private information. Do not post threats or accusations you cannot substantiate.
Let this be a place where the wounded can speak, where truth can be examined, and where healing can begin.
