[For more information regarding the Jezebel spirit, see the Biblical account of the original Jezebel, beginning in I Kings 14. Also, refer to Francis Frangipane's book "The Three Battlegrounds" and his booklet "The Jezebel Spirit", Fuschia Pickett's "The Next Move of God", and Rick Joyner's "Overcoming the Religious Spirit."]

[Also see "Spiritual Strongholds" Teaching]

 

The Jezebel spirit is born of witchcraft and rebellion. She is one of the most common spirits in operation today, and is a powerful enemy of the body of Christ. She operates freely on sincere believers whose hearts are for God individually, and has also attained positions of power as powers and principalities within the Church. This spirit establishes its stronghold primarily in women; however, many men have been victimized by it as well, where it functions as a "controlling" spirit.
 

The Deception - "Protector"

Jezebel masquerades as a "protector" spirit to gain access, using the inroads already made by spirits of rejection and fear. She promises her victim protection if they will submit to her. She promises them the recognition and self-worth they desire (and "deserve"). She promises them complete control of their lives and those around them. The key word here is control.

Usually using a hurtful event in the victim's life (most frequently abusive treatment by a man or authority figure, either physically or verbally, or treatment by another Jezebel), she promises "If you let me handle this (submit to me), I'll never let that happen to you again." On the "surface", the goals of this spirit appear to be control and power. However, the Jezebel has more complex characteristics. She is extremely vicious and dangerous--ultimately to her victims more than those she hurts through them.

Mission

As Fuschia Pickett points out in her book The Next Move of God, Jezebel's mission is to kill the prophets.

The goal of the victim is usually quite different: to gain identity, glory, recognition, power, and satisfy the need for acknowledgment of worth from others (in other words, the "praises of men" Matt. 6:2,5,16). This is an outgrowth of the desire for love and self-worth we all have - with the wrong focus - self.

As a secondary mission, the Jezebel spirit seeks to emasculate all men, or divest them of their authority and power over others. It fosters a distrust and/or hatred of men in general, and nurtures motives of vengeance on the victim toward some men in particular - usually as a result of abuse or neglect by a significant male in the victim's life.

 

Personality, Characteristics, and "Modus Operandi"

The following are some of Jezebel's main characteristics, manifestations and methods of operation. For brevity and clarity, the term "Jezebel" is used here to refer to a person controlled by the Jezebel spirit.

Since women are primarily victims, most of these examples refer to manifestations as exhibited in women. However, especially in the "power and control" areas, men exhibit these same manifestations. Please keep in mind the following cautions when seeking discernment of a stronghold, either in yourself or others.

Cautions

This spirit may not be dominant at all times within the victim, giving the victim the illusion of being "two-faced", even schizophrenic, or "double-minded", as the book of James calls it (James 1:8), to those around her. The victim may not exhibit all of these attributes when the Jezebel spirit is in control. Just because a person exhibits one or more of these characteristics does not automatically make them a "Jezebel". One must be careful to use the gift of discernment prayerfully before concluding that a person is controlled by the Jezebel spirit.

 

Types Of Jezebel

There are two main personality types of the Jezebel spirit: The high-profile type is generally gregarious, outspoken and highly visible. She is often seen as the "woman who wears the pants in the family". The low-profile type is just that--generally soft-spoken, giving the illusion of being solicitous, motherly, protective, even very submissive. The low-profile type may be the most dangerous, as she is the most difficult to discern. She relies heavily on manipulation for her power, but it is extremely subtle.

Manifestations OF Types

Within these two main types are two manifestations: the SEDUCER and the FRIGID.

The SEDUCER uses any type of seduction available to gain control and power, as a method of manipulation. The Jezebel commonly uses flirtation to seduce; however, she is not above sexual seduction if it suits her purposes. She uses a spiritual seduction which operates on both males and females. The aim of the spiritual seduction is to convince the person being seduced that the Jezebel is spiritually mature, trustworthy, worthy of being given authority and power, and taken into their confidence. Although Jezebel usually dislikes other women, often lacking lasting friendships with women, she will seduce women in positions of authority, or women close to men of authority (such as their wives) in order to gain power from them, or defuse opposition from them. Her seduction usually uses subtle flattery, but may also include perverted expressions of "agape" love. Her seduction is spiritual fornication. Men are particularly blind to the subtleties of this seduction, as she flatters them with her attention. Women seduced by the Jezebel are blinded to their own seduction, as they do not expect it, or are not aware such a thing exists.

A good example of the FRIGID Jezebel personality can frequently be seen as the efficient (and often plain) executive assistant at the side of a powerful businessman or church leader. This Jezebel often lacks a gregarious personality, but may be very outspoken and aggressive.

Masterful At Concealing True Identity

Much of Jezebel's negative or manipulative behavior is "behind the scenes", in private, where her destructive work is done. Therefore, people outside her immediate family often have no idea this spirit is in operation, and may be unwittingly manipulated by her.

Intelligent

Perhaps because the Jezebel spirit weaves such a masterful web of deceit, most of her victims are very intelligent, which she transforms into deceitfulness and cunning. The person controlled by the Jezebel spirit is also very good at deceiving herself.

Man-Hater

As mentioned above, Jezebel hates men and distrusts women. She cannot have a true godly relationship with men, because her underlying desire is to strip them of all their perceived power and then destroy them--to emasculate them emotionally and spiritually. She is generally distrustful of or indifferent toward women, unless they are useful to gain power, or are themselves powerful, so lasting friendships are rare. The Jezebel often ends up friendless when friends are needed.

Power-Hungry

Jezebel is power-hungry, respecting only power stronger than her own. She disdains or considers herself superior to anyone she perceives as having no power, or power less than hers.

"Eager Beaver"

The Jezebel seeks preeminence and recognition. She is often a frequent volunteer, even as a young child, as a stepping stone toward more power. The Jezebel, like so many of us, needs a sense of self-worth, which she erroneously perceives to be connected to her performance. She connects her identity with what she does, rather than in the person of Jesus. Sadly, she often succeeds well enough to stay in pursuit of her own performance. In the process, she hinders others from learning to operate in the gifts and talents God has given them, because she "jumps in" before anyone else can. Jezebels are frequently "super-achievers", which sadly is admired both in the church and business world.
 

Self Worship

Jezebel worships herself (keeps the focus on herself, except where a false attitude of compassion or humility serves her purposes). She has difficulty talking at length about anyone but herself, even when "counseling" others. She is very proud, and often extremely vain. Many Jezebels are reasonably attractive, and some very beautiful; however, much of the seduction and attractiveness is actually demonically derived.

Jealous

The Jezebel is often extremely jealous when others receive any attention. She will stand in the way of anyone else receiving attention or recognition, if possible. Sometimes this is done consciously, but is usually done instinctively. This is one of the biggest dangers to the Body of Christ, according to James 3:16, because it opens the door to "every evil thing" to enter in - not just to the Jezebel, but to the entire congregation.

Uses Others

The Jezebel uses other people as objects, where it suits her need, to gain control, influence and power. Once she has gained the control desired, she generally rejects and tosses the people aside. If they are in her family, she does this emotionally.

"Queen Bee"

Jezebel demands worship from others ("queen-bee" syndrome). She must have dominance and control in her home. Other family members must exist to please her.

"Bossy"

The Jezebel is extremely authoritarian ("bossy") by nature, though subtly with the low-profile type. She is easily offended if her authority is questioned, and will often respond in anger at even the slightest offense.

Unrealistic Expectations From Others

Her expectations from others are always unrealistic, because others cannot meet her demand for complete submission. If they do try, she despises them and casts them aside, when she has what she wants out of them. Anyone attempting to relate to a person with this spirit is literally in a no-win situation. Nothing pleases this spirit.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a common characteristic of the Jezebel - generating self-hatred in the victim, and a despising of others around her who fail to meet her exaggerated standards. This is part of the "unrealistic expectations" she has toward herself and others, and an excuse for disrespect toward others, especially those in authority - they don't "measure up", so she doesn't have to show respect.

Control and Manipulation

Control and manipulation are the strongest parts of the Jezebel nature. These are spirits of witchcraft, and extremely dangerous. Nearly everything the Jezebel does utilizes one or both spirits to attain her goal.

As previously mentioned, she seduces her victims where possible. However, the Jezebel will use any tool available to manipulate those around her to do her will.

She uses faults or weaknesses she perceives in the person she is attempting to control to create feelings of shame or guilt, and therefore submission to her will.

She uses fear to manipulate into submission.

She uses self-pity and her own weaknesses to manipulate another into submitting to her out of compassion or pity.

She will even use prayer to manipulate the one she is attempting to control, especially prayers prayed audibly over that person to create the illusion that doing Jezebel's will is actually obeying God, or to generate fear or other emotion within the person, which the Jezebel can use for manipulation.

Even though often powerfully gifted of the Lord, the Jezebel will frequently operate in the false discernment of the enemy by speaking words of knowledge gained from familiar spirits, and not from the Spirit of God - this is witchcraft. The power of witchcraft is derived from Satan himself. Every attempt at manipulation or control "sells out" more and more to the enemy and strengthens the deception the Jezebel is under.

Attracted to Power

Jezebels are attracted to people of power like moths to flames. Often, a very intelligent, efficient, attractive, and even blatant Jezebel can be found serving "at the feet" of prominent leaders, even in the church. The deception and/or seduction of the Jezebel is often so successful that the leader does not recognize who is at his right hand. The Jezebel's true desire is to wrest the power from the person being served. If that person is prophetic in nature, the actual mission is to destroy him by any means available (destroy his credibility, undermine his authority, discredit his ministry, cause him to fall into sexual temptation, etc.).

Ambitious

Jezebels are desirous of "moving up the ladder" wherever they are. The Jezebel spirit is very active among career women in the business world, and in the "women's lib" movement.

(Continued in Parts 2 and 3)