How, church, can we learn to discern true and false if our “church” leaders aren’t helping us truly grow in the Spirit of God? How then as a body can we help and be Jesus to those whom suffer with the inability to heal because they won’t allow God into the deepest pools of hurt within? This is something I’ve had to face after a failed marriage. After having to keep at bay a family member for years now. As I sat to write this segment, I sought the Lord on how this series of posts can make a difference and be different than every one else who discusses the subjects presented. Issues which arise in our spiritual/emotional lives and in the church. He answered pretty quickly…
The History of Jezebel in Brief
The Lucifer Spirit is unleashed upon the earth. Satan is lurking in every corner, lit and unlit. He is in our churches, sometimes in one lone wolf, sometimes several. The Lucifer spirit is the overlord to every dark thing we come up against. His most powerful underling is Jezebel. I am not going to specifically address the Lucifer spirit because in reality everything is relative although you need to understand that Jezebel’s husband, Ahab, preceded her in evil doings. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.” (1 Kings 16:30) Eventually, Jezebel took control of not only Ahab, but the kingdom of Samaria. (Read beginning in 1 Kings 19)
Wait, if you are a Bible reader you might say Jezebel died in 1 Kings! Yes, Queen Jezebel’s flesh died…but the nasty spirit she possessed, did not! Read on, to Revelation 2:20 and you’ll find that she is still roaming around seeking to devour souls: “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 to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
Recognizing Jezebel
Jezebel looks a lot like 2 Peter 5:8(b) incarnate: “…because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour…”
A Jezebel spirit sets out to destroy or overpower anyone who steps in its way, or questions its motives. A modern day example of a Jezebel spirit can often be found in individuals whom have not allowed God’s love and the act of true forgiveness to root out un-forgiveness and past hurts in their hearts. It is a controlling, deceptive and manipulative spirit. It takes offense to anything that may appear to be “against” it. It hates God because He has hurt it in some unforgivable way. It gives off the appearance of being kind until a person tries to communicate a hurt or negative caused by the person it has possessed, or gets in it’s way of something desired.
People with a Jezebel spirit self idolize, believe their own untruths and eventually will self-destruct if you leave them to their own accord. The spirit can manifest in men and women, be passed down through generational iniquity and will not receive help from others because there is “nothing” wrong with them, in their prideful heart.
When a Jezebel spirit infiltrates a church through an individual, it isn’t always recognizable. At first, as can the Lucifer spirit, it appears like a beacon of light – the answer to all your prayers and needs. However, Jezebel always has an agenda that is only to satisfy its own selfish needs and desires. When found out, this person is always somehow the victim. But if left un-confronted, this spirit will weave a wicked web that hurts many.
What Does Jezebel Want?
The Jezebel spirit enters hurting hearts and wants to regain the power someone has taken away from them in the past. It could be an abusive parent or spouse, being bullied or never feeling as though they were enough, or received, in the eyes of their peers. It could also manifest from a place of deep loss such as the loss of a parent or their purity at a young age.
I suffered from aspects of this spirit until I asked Jesus to delivered me. The caveat there is that I wanted to be free of it. You cannot redeem someone who doesn’t see themselves needing redemption. If not for the love of Jesus, I would still be walking around in that spirit and never having peace of mind, or understanding of who I am in Christ. Which leads to the next point: Jezebel seeks it’s identity through position. They absolutely desire to be admired and seen as infallible. Be careful if you ever offer up something that is offensive to its ears. You will quickly be placed on the “enemy” list. To Jezebel, the Almighty is an entity who serves it, not the other way around.
How to Love Jezebel like Jesus
For people who are truly in deep with this spirit, it often leads to solitude or a life of constant upheaval. They may be able to float by at a church if they don’t develop deep relationships or get involved in leadership. They may also be able to marry and have a family with a very subservient spouse who doesn’t care about always being last and feeling disregarded. Honestly, it seems that letting them go off to their own accord in life, is the best way to love them. I know that sounds cruel but it’s more cruel to to ask someone to stay in the life of a person possessed with this spirit. A person with this spirit who is a church goer who says they’ve accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, has never truly let God reign in their hearts. This is a hardened heart and the only way to crack it is up to God.
Calling a person out whom possesses a Jezebel spirit will likely wreak havoc in one’s life or church. Praying for them, for God to get a real grip on them is best. It could take a lifetime. It could take until their dying breath. This spirit simply cannot accept or conceive it needs Jesus, when in reality it is desperate for God’s love. It is very sad and often difficult on the families of those with a Jezebel spirit.
A Jezebel spirit that has infiltrated a church must be dealt with very carefully. I’ve witnessed firsthand what can happen if a pastor refuses to draw a line. The person with this spirit will do things that others in the church would never be allowed to. Their bad behavior will make entire congregations uncomfortable. If confronted they say it’s no one’s business, they are the victim, or they aren’t hurting anyone. Even if confrontation is done in love, it is not taken well, internally, and they may use threats or deception to keep people from bothering them about the behavior. Honestly, it’s best to escort them to the door, open it, and wish them well, but mention that they are not welcome to come back if the behavior continues.
You might recognize these traits in (too) many people around you. Sadly, it is a sign of the hold Satan has in the world. But, God is powerful and there is nothing he cannot overcome in this world. As disciples of Christ, we are given authority over these ungodly things.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” Romans 16:20)
Use this authority and the power of the Holy Spirit wisely, and never try to deliver a person from a Jezebel spirit without their absolute consent and discerning whether or not they are sincerely repentant and desiring Jesus’s healing love. Otherwise, it might further anger the beast within!