WHO IS JEZEBEL?

By Edwin & Sophia Christiaan

One of the most devastating among evil spirits operating in the Church is the Jezebel Spirit. 

The Christian church may not admit to harboring an evil enemy spirit within their own wall, but she has allowed the Jezebel Spirit to rule for decades, causing much harm and destruction in the lives of many!

The Bible says,

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against EVIL SPIRITS in the heavenly places.” 

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

JEZEBEL IS A WOMAN

I would like to settle the heated discussion of who can have a Jezebel spirit. In order for someone to have the evil spirit of Jezebel, that person must be a woman! Jesus emphasized it being a woman when He admonished the Church of Thyatira. He told them,

“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray.” 

Revelations 2:20 NLT

Jesus specifically emphasizes that the church was permitting a specific woman, ‘that woman - that Jezebel.’ He was making a reference to the infamous and wicked woman, Queen Jezebel, from the Old Testament days of the prophet Elijah, and making the point that a woman in this church was acting in the spirit of (Queen) Jezebel. It is perceived that the church of Thyatira knew the stories of Queen Jezebel’s misdeeds very well considering she was a prominent part of Israel’s history. Therefore, using the word Jezebel, Jesus was referring to a concept they knew very well. It would be like calling someone a “Judas,” and everyone would know that it meant that it had something to do with being betrayed. 

Secondly, God gave men something called “natural authority.” Authority is not something a man will ever need to fight to get, since he already has it naturally from God. The Bible says, 

“But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” 

1. Corinthians 11:3 NLT

If a man is not in authority over his wife and family, it means he is allowing someone else to run it. He has, in effect, abdicated his natural responsibility.

Women, on the other hand, have not been given that same authority by God, and if they want power over the man, they will need tools to try to take that position of leadership the man has. This is where the Jezebel Spirit comes in. A demon will come to a woman, presenting different tools she can use to gain power over the man. Among many others, these tools include manipulation, control, domination, and seduction. 

To a wounded, scorned, or power-hungry woman, these tools come as a temptation she cannot resist. She grabs them, and starts using them. This is the moment she opens the door to becoming possessed by this demonic spirit of Jezebel. It promises to provide her with everything she needs to accomplish her goal of taking over control. She may not even be aware of what a devastating spirit she has welcomed into her life.

When a man displays similar traits as a Jezebel, contrary to what many believe, it is not a Jezebel spirit operating in him. This would make no sense since this particular spirit is all about authority. As we explained, the man already has natural authority from God and he doesn’t need to take it from someone else like the woman does. The only authority above him is Christ Himself. If he acts controlling and manipulative, he is most likely a narcissist, a sociopath, or just an extremely wounded individual. 

Knowing that God’s order doesn’t allow a woman to lead her husband, the evil Jezebel Spirit is designed to turn God’s order upside down. It makes the woman become the man and the man become the woman, allowing wives to take over the spiritual headship from their husbands. Following this unnatural course, men get completely emasculated! Unless the husband fights his wife for supremacy, he will ultimately end up assuming the second place in the marriage. Men who are forced into spiritual submission to their wives tend to be angry and passive aggressive.

JEZEBEL IS A NARCISSIST

We have established that the Jezebel Spirit operates in women only. However, in order for someone to be a Jezebel, she must be all of the following three things:

1. A woman

2. A narcissist

3. A church teacher

Those who are possessed by the Jezebel Spirit, are being described in the secular world as narcissists or psychopaths. The Jezebel Spirit is the same as narcissism. There is no healing treatment or cure available for these people because they are neither capable of, nor willing to, admit any wrongdoing. In their minds, they are never wrong and therefore they will never repent. You can pray for such people till the cows come home, and they just don’t change!

As Jesus said,

“I gave her time to repent, but SHE DOES NOT WANT to turn away from her immorality.” 

Revelation 2:21 NLT 

A Jezebel woman simply doesn’t see that she does anything wrong! As the famous TV personality, Dr. Phil says, “You cannot change what you do not admit!”

The Jezebel Spirit thrives in rebellion and disobedience. She doesn’t take advice, but headstrong and self-willed. She doesn’t take correction from anybody because she has no authority. When confronted with wrongdoing, she will justify herself to no end. She is a true right-fighter. She doesn’t heed to the authority she is under, whether from God Himself, spouse, pastor, parent, or other, but always chooses to be defiant and rebellious against it. She cannot admit faults or failure, because her entire identity is in being right and coming out on top. 

JEZEBEL IS A CHURCH TEACHER 

A woman operating in the Jezebel Spirit in the realm of the Church, is someone who teaches people to commit sexual sin and makes them idolize and worship her. She leads them away from a relationship with Jesus Christ by making them follow her false teachings, also called ‘deeper truths’ and ‘depths of Satan’ in Revelation 2:20, 24.

Jesus said to the Church in Thyatira,

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”

Revelation 2:19 NLT

Further, he said,

“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.” 

Revelations 2:20 NLT

You will many times find a Jezebel woman involved in various types of teaching activities, not only in religious settings, but also places such as schools and in various types of counseling. The reason for this is her need to be an influence on people. The spirit within her drives her to want to reproduce herself in others. She likes to be highly involved in people’s personal lives, getting up close and personal, and becoming a close confidante. This is how she feels important, needed, and wanted - basically just the way she likes it. Satan places her specifically in teaching positions, so she will impart a distorted and untrue message to people, and thereby cause more spiritual and mental darkness to come upon their lives. People may be in a bad condition when they come to her, but they leave worse off than they came.

Jesus was talking about a female member of the church who was operating under the same evil spirit as Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel, by promoting destructive heresies and leading many into moral compromise using false prophecies and teachings. 

It is so tragic to read about how devoted and abounding in love the Church of Thyatira was, only to discover that they were allowing this wicked woman, Jezebel, to lead them and teach them false doctrines, and having her prophecy over them! Because they allowed Jezebel to rule over them, they opened the door for moral compromise to come into the church. 

Something I have experienced in many churches and ministries, is the scenario where there is a pastor who is anointed and teaches his followers Biblical truth, such as walking in love, faith, being a servant, and patient endurance just like in the Thyatira church. Meanwhile, in the background, the wife is plotting a crafty takeover of the leadership of the church. She seeks full control over the members, in order to ultimately poison the whole church spiritually.

Among the things the self-proclaimed prophetess, Jezebel, taught the Thyatira Church was to eat food offered to idols. Most likely, she led the members to participate in the grossly immoral love feasts, celebrating pagan gods. These believers were attending idolatrous festivals and joining in the sin of the idolaters.

A modern-day Jezebel loves to organize religious fellowship “love” meals and throw lavish parties where she is the center of the attention, all with the purpose of getting close to people and gathering information about them, so she can take the place of God in their lives. She will ultimately make the church members love, adore, and worship her, and in doing so, shipwreck their lives! The Bible warns against people like Jezebel,

“When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves.” 

Jude 1:12 NLT

THE HISTORICAL JEZEBEL

The Biblical account of Jezebel and her husband Ahab is where the “Jezebel” reference in Revelation chapter 2 is taken from. The Old Testament’s Queen Jezebel of Israel was a worshiper of Baal, a despicable god who required even human sacrifices, and she encouraged and led others to do the same. This way, she steered the people of Israel onto a path of disobedience toward their true God, and brought evil and destruction into the land. She was able to do this, because of the influence she gained over her husband.

Jezebel’s marriage to King Ahab was an arranged marriage to promote unity between Israel and Tyre. But the minute King Ahab married Jezebel, she began her evil influence over him as a person as well as over the land of Israel. 

"And as though it were not enough to live like Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to worship Baal." 

1. Kings 16:31 NLT 

"No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the LORD's sight as did Ahab, for his wife, Jezebel, influenced him. He was especially guilty because he worshiped idols just as the Amorites had done — the people whom the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites." 

1. Kings 21:25-26 NLT

Queen Jezebel used hundreds of Baal priests in her idol rituals, and the true prophets of God in Israel posed a threat to her religious influence. Therefore, she was known to persecute and kill them. The prophet Elijah, however, challenged her false priests, and after a supernatural encounter on Mount Carmel, he and the people of Israel ended up killing more than 400 of them. After this defeat, Queen Jezebel wrote a letter to Elijah, swearing to retaliate and kill him. He was so afraid that he ran into the desert and wanted to die. 

In chapter 21 of the Bible book of 1. Kings, you can read about how Jezebel plotted to have an innocent neighbor killed for not wanting to sell his vineyard to her husband, the king. She did manage to get her husband the man’s neighbor, but was eventually confronted for this sin by the warrior king, Jehu, who by the help of Jezebel’s own eunuch servants, had her thrown out her window to her death. 

CONSEQUENCES OF INDULGING JEZEBEL

Jesus warned Jezebel, 

“I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.” 

Revelations 2:21 NLT

But why does she not repent? 

When you are a full-blown narcissist, who cannot see the wrong you do, why would you ever admit to anything? You have no reason to repent! To her, it is always the fault of someone else. Jezebels think they are unbeatable and invincible, just like God. They live in a world of strong delusion.

Then, Jesus said this,

“Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.” 

Revelations 2:22-23 NLT

Jezebels, because of their rebellion against God, will end up suffering sickness! Those, who committed adultery with her, meaning those who worshiped her, the “children” or followers who loved her, supported, and defended her, will suffer greatly too, unless they repent or run away from her. We have seen many of the so-called children or followers of Jezebel being literally destroyed mentally, spiritually, and even die. They are brainwashed and loaded with guilt and fear. Their minds are completely corrupt, unable to think rationally. Everything is being filtered by what Jezebel has taught them. Even their understanding of who God is has been clouded by a false image that Jezebel has given them. This leaves them utterly disillusioned, and questioning whether there really is a God after all. Since they have been taught to revere her words as if they were God’s, the fine line of who is who has been obliterated. Their first allegiance and loyalty go toward pleasing Jezebel, whereas their first thought used to be how to please God.

JEZEBEL PERSONALITY TRAITS.

Jezebels usually come in two categories: The active, and the passive. Or as is has been said, the high-profile, and the low-profile. 

The high-profile, active Jezebel is the woman who is the leader of the home, including everyone in it. She is the one who “wears the pants” in the marriage/family, the overbearing, bossy, in-control, in charge, dominating woman who is outspoken, bold, and militaristic. The low-profile, passive Jezebel is the woman who controls the husband and family behind the scenes. She has a meek exterior, and no one would guess that she has a grip on the family, quietly controlling, manipulating, and destroying their lives. She is soft-spoken, seemingly submissive and nice on the outside, but only the closest family knows the truth about who she really is.

Jezebel will often throw around religious terms and phrases to appear godly, but her life doesn’t produce godliness. Following her life and example will lead to rebellion, darkness, anger, and strife.

As a master of the “blame game,” Jezebel cleverly gains sympathy for herself by producing convincing arguments for her case, usually portraying herself as a victim.

She will twist and turn information to better fit her, even if it involves lying and crying, anything to pull on your heartstrings and make you feel guilty or feel sorry for her.

Jezebel doesn’t forgive people who offend her. She keeps track of all past offenses, and she uses them to her advantage when she sees the need for it. Her love is always conditional, making you know of the things that please her, so if you don’t do as she wants, she will reject you.

JEZEBEL’S EFFECT ON CHILDREN

The Spirit of Jezebel produces sexual imbalance and perversion in children. I have seen many examples of rebellion and extreme dark and obscure behavior in children and teenagers of Jezebel mothers. The family around them doesn’t seem to understand why some children become rebellious, not knowing that it is actually not because they want to, but rather becomes they are directly influenced by the spirit of Jezebel operating in the family. The control the children are living under causes them to stagnate in their emotional development as strong, independent, healthy human beings. Instead, they are insecure, bound by confusion and perversion, and trapped in sexual immorality. 

Children of Jezebels can also fall in the exact opposite category of being overly well-behaved, submissive, pleasing, passive, and shy of conflict. They can be recognized by their fear, lack of ambition, and poor self-esteem. Many times, rather than seeking justice, they are inclined to take the blame for everything upon themselves. 

JEZEBEL WOMEN ARE AGENTS OF SATAN

Over the years of ministry, my wife and I have very often encountered the type of Jezebel women who are single and who goes to church meetings with one purpose in mind; to find a godly, anointed, prophetic man to marry!

The purpose of these Jezebel women is to lead men astray and away from their God-given calling. She causes them to compromise with God’s Word, makes them have sex with her before marriage, and ultimately leads these men to worship her.

These are the same women who often calls themselves prophetesses as they love to give prophetic words to people.

Furthermore, these “Christian” Jezebels have no problem teaching men and having authority over them, even though the apostle Paul clearly warns that,

“I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.” 

1. Timothy 2:12a NLT

DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

One thing most Jezebels have in common is delusion – being delusional about some great plan. She is convinces God is going to use her for greatness, and she always strives to pass on a legacy of her life. 

These women are, as the Bible says:

“Vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)” 

2. Timothy 3:6-7 NLT

“They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 

2. Timothy 4:4 NLT

A Jezebel always follows her favorite prophet or pastor, who can prophecy or teach her whatever she wants to hear!

“They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 

2. Timothy 4:3 NLT

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” 

2. Timothy 3:5

These women are the types who are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are never good (see Galatians 4:17)!

Many times, I have encountered women, who are teaching in their prophetic gatherings, trying to win people with flattery, and pretending to be their friend just to get their money (see 1. Thessalonians 2:4-5)!

In reality, these women are deceitful workers, who disguise themselves, like Satan, as an angel of light. 

“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

2. Corinthians 11:13-15a NLT

“Their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.”  

Titus 1:15-16 NLT

“But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.”

2. Timothy 3:13

JEZEBEL CAUSES SEXUAL IMMORALITY IN THE CHURCH

When you are in a church that is under the Jezebel Spirit, instead of being led to holiness in Christ, there is an immoral sexual undertone behind much of the chatter, even among leadership. Jezebel wants to know and talk about people’s sex lives, claiming God wants them to talk about it openly. Some Jezebels dress seductively, using their body to get attention. There is much touching and flirting going on, and most single church members are having sex outside marriage, and it’s not being addressed as wrong or sinful. 

There is an alarming increase of sex addicts in the Church, which includes countless married Christian men. Much of this is caused by the evil spirit of Jezebel, who misleads many to commit sexual immorality.

STAYING AWAY FROM JEZEBEL

The Bible warns us about evil people, telling us how to conduct ourselves when they are in the Church and call themselves Christians,

“Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them! Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words, they deceive innocent people.” 

Romans 16:17-18 NLT

“I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 

God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, You must remove the evil person from among you.” 

1. Corinthians 5:11-13 NLT

You must stay away from people like that!

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

2. Timothy 3:5 NLT