Jezebel

Description

Jezebel was a queen described in 1 Kings 16–21, and her name appears again in Revelation 2:20. In the story of Ahab, she is associated with the introduction of Baal worship, the persecution of the prophets of the LORD, and the use of power for manipulation and lawlessness. This is especially clear in the case of Naboth’s vineyard: Jezebel uses the king’s name and seal, arranges a false accusation, and brings about the death of an innocent man. Derek Prince draws attention in this account to the combination of influence, control, manipulation, and witchcraft.

John Paul Jackson, in “Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit,” and Nelson L. Schuman, in materials from Restored to Freedom, use the term “Jezebel spirit” for an operation based on control, domination, manipulation, seduction, and rebellion. The term does not appear in the Bible as the name of a specific demon; it was derived from the character and conduct of the biblical Jezebel and is used in this sense by some contemporary deliverance ministries.

Schuman strongly connects the development of such a pattern with earlier wounds. Rejection, abandonment, the absence of secure love, violence, abuse, or deep wounding by a parent may leave a fear of being hurt again and a distrust of others. A person may then begin seeking safety by taking control. Instead of trusting, they try to anticipate and direct the behavior of others; instead of allowing for the possibility of being hurt, they protect their position through pressure, manipulation, or domination. Jackson likewise points to rejection, bitterness, fear, pride, and rebellion as areas that can later work together with a need to exert influence over people.

Over time, control may spread into more and more relationships. It may involve playing people against one another, applying pressure through guilt, punishing by withdrawal, slander, retaliation, difficulty receiving correction, and the use of charisma, sexuality, or spirituality to gain influence. A person may react very strongly when they lose the ability to direct others or are confronted with their own conduct. What initially served as protection from further wounding begins to lead to bringing others under control and destroying trust.

Jackson and Schuman also identify bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, and rebellion as areas that can sustain this pattern. If there has been actual involvement in occultism, witchcraft, or other spiritual practices opposed to God, these constitute a separate area that requires renunciation.

The path to freedom begins with facing the truth about what lies at the root of control. It includes forgiving those who caused the wounds and rejecting the lies and methods of self-protection built around past hurts. Where a person has themselves entered into manipulation, domination, pride, rebellion, lying, retaliation, or seduction, repentance and a conscious turning away from those sins are needed. If occult practices were involved, they should be renounced. When a demonic influence connected with this pattern is discerned, it can be resisted and commanded to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

“But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my servants.”
Revelation 2:20

Sources

1 Kings 16–21; 2 Kings 9; Revelation 2:20 — the biblical Jezebel, Baal worship, persecution of the prophets, manipulation, and deception.

Derek Prince — teachings concerning Jezebel, witchcraft, and manipulation, including “True and False Church” and “Witchcraft — Public Enemy Number 1.”

John Paul Jackson — “Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit” — control, manipulation, rejection, bitterness, fear, rebellion, and strongholds in patterns of thinking.

Nelson L. Schuman / Restored to Freedom — materials concerning childhood wounds, father wounds, soul wounds, and Jezebel / Ahab / Leviathan.