How to Have Victory over a Jezebel Spirit - Inspiration Photography & Christian Devotions

There is a reason you don’t name your newborn daughter Jezebel, right? There just seems to be a taboo and sinful association with this name. We do use it, but normally in a derogatory way to call out an adulteress “homewrecker” who feels little remorse for their actions. Someone who thrives in immorality and seeks authority to lead others down the same path. The Jezebel spirit ‘meaning’ long predates the queen Jezebel of Israel found in the Bible under 1 and 2 Kings. But through her name, her manipulative lifestyle lives on beyond the scriptures. The Jezebel spirit is more than a little sexual promiscuity and suggestive manipulation. It has caused the fall of faiths, destruction of families, the toppling of kingdoms and regret from those seduced by it.

Where Does “Jezebel” Comes From?

Yes, Jezebel was a female manipulator and a truly evil woman. Married to King Ahab who, according to 1 Kings 16:30, was “evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him.” Jezebel is the queen who brought Baal, a false foreign god, back to Israel. If that isn’t enough, she plotted a murder just to take a righteous man’s vineyard. Even tried to kill Elijah! Her hands were very bloody and she later faced God’s wrath for her role in bringing so much evil to God’s people.

Jezebel Spirit of Today

We now refer to someone who takes a similar path as having a Jezebel spirit. And once you know this spirit’s calling card, you will recognize it very swiftly. The problem is you normally have to witness it first hand, being fooled and manipulated before truly understanding it completely. I have personally see its destructive nature up close, was completely manipulated by it myself. Since that moment, I can almost feel it enter a room as my stomach sinks. It is out there and running freely, unaware of its inevitable defeat.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Revelations 2:20-23

Today’s Effect

The Jezebel spirit, along with witchcraft, are two of the most dangerous enemies we battle on the spiritual warfront. It can be prevented and defeated, but for that, we must dust off that armor of God and put God’s power into action. Without a good defense, this spirit will rip apart of Christian marriage, destroy a congregation, and alienate men and women of God. We have to learn to spot it and defeat it as quickly as possible.

It can be a man or a woman carrying this spirit of manipulation, but it thrives on authority, intimidation, and builds a sort of discipleship through false doctrines to make a mob mentality against those true to God. Christians are very susceptible to this spirit, and just like the faithful followers of Israel, anyone can be manipulated unless you rest completely with God. So how do we recognize this spirit? And more importantly, how do we extinguish it before it grows out of control.

Where do you find the Jezebel Spirit?

First off, don’t allow the physical world to define anything for you in the spiritual. A Jezebel spirit can be in a man or woman, young or old. It will create friendships, have feelings of love and perhaps even compassion. It is deadly because it is either close to us or close to those who we care about. Could be a youth group being led astray, an entire small group, even be in church leadership. Know that this is one of the many reasons your church leaders meet each new candidate, interview them, pray over their decision, etc. The greatest weapon in our spiritual armor to combat a Jezebel spirit is prayer. Through God’s wisdom, we can find the seed before it grows to be a weed!

Recognizing a Jezebel Spirit

A Jezebel will most certainly seek authority, influence, and entitlement. That is why we must hold and watch our leaders closely. Not just pastors, worship leaders and elders, but also small group leaders. They need an audience otherwise they have no one to manipulate. A Jezebel cannot be successful without influencing others, they must win people to their side and eventually turn that influence against their rival.

I have never witnessed two Jezebels rivaling each other, I imagine it looks like a Hollywood twitter war; but normally their gaze is at spiritual leadership. They will work hard to manipulate you if you disagree with them. But once they realize they can not win you over, you become a target of attack.

The Jezebel spirit is not of God. So, if your actions are Biblical, it is safe to assume you are not consumed by this spiritual evil. Many times, at least in my experience, a Jezebel is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and attacks with the influence of those who believe they are doing good. Good people are manipulated by mixing the truths up in false pretenses. They build a case using truths then manipulate the facts to make everything look interconnected.

This isn’t your run of the mill evil spirit. We all know “thou shalt not murder or commit adultery.” This is a spirit with patience, intelligence, and a false sense of security and kindness. They will have you committing these sins and justifying your actions.

Spiritual Combat

Knowing God’s will is the greatest weapon to wield against this barrage of attack. If you know the Bible and the character of God, you will know that these half-truths are not of God. They can not lead us down their path if we stand firm in God. This should always lead us to prayer and study to allow God to speak to us and guide us.

Your faithfulness will make you a target, but you have the full armor of God on your side. If there is ever any battle, I will always take the side of God every time. I know that if I can walk in His direction and stay true to my Christian values, I am giving no power to the evil that is all around me. I wish the WWJD movement was something my kids could experience, because it is the best advice I can give against these demonic forces. If you look at yourself and wonder, what would Jesus do in this situation… You have taken all the power a Jezebel could have over you.

What can Spiritual Leaders do?

Leadership must grow in God, together. Yes, God gives us the power and authority over all these spirits that would do us harm; but there is power in numbers. Growing, sharing, and praying as a leadership body will keep a church’s structure intact. Why? Because you are calling on God to be your mortar, and that has some powerful adhesive ability! Quick drying, eternally lasting, and self-cleaning. Won’t find mortar that perfect in a home improvement store!

That’s a Wrap

As followers we have a few years under our belts, but the devil has been refining his skillset for a millennia. Lucky for us, our God is omnipotent; all knowing, all encompassing, all loving. His power and His wisdom is beyond comprehension and even a Jezebel spirit is no match when we hit our knees in humility and reach to Him for help. He WILL help, He WILL provide, and most definitely WILL deliver you from this battle. Let’s all come together to recognize this evil that lives among us. Let God’s body show its might by always turning to our Savior. When in doubt, pull out your 20 year old bracelet and read the initials that spell victory; WWJD!

Written by Jon Frederick, Photographer for Seven11 and Co-Author of the book “Immersion– An Inspirational Christian Photography Collection”