| “Many Christians are not aware that they might be carriers of one demon or more. They can never imagine that whatever physical or psychological illness they suffer could be caused by evil spirits that made their home in them. Many emotional disorders, neurosis, break downs, unfounded fears, anxieties, migraine headaches, asthma, allergies and other psychosomatic diseases very often are caused by a demon that has taken his abode in the soul and body of a person. In our days if someone suggests to them such a thing, they would laugh at the notion of having such a demon or they would simply think your thoughts are medieval, outdated or superstitious. Leaving such a demon or even ignoring it would simply cause more damage since it would be an invitation to this evil spirit to remain permanently in us.” Vassula Ryden |
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Introduction
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The historical Israeli queen called Jezebel was possessed by what later came to be known as a Jezebel spirit. This kind of spirit actually refers to a demon produced by a goddess known as Ashtoreth (see my Appendix III). By completely relinquishing her own free will, the person of Jezebel came to completely identify with this type of demon. As such, the historical person of Jezebel and the demon became inseparably linked with one another. It should come as little surprise that the total identification of host, or captive, with the demon is further evidenced by the fact that Jezebel principally establishing Ashtoreth worship in Israel. So when the literature speaks of the Jezebel spirit or Ashtoreth/Ashtaroth, for all practical purposes, they mean one and the same being.
In addition to this blog, I’ve also added three appendices that give information on who the historical queen Jezebel was and who the pagan gods Baal and Ashtoreth were that she was so fond of worshiping.
Before I give an elaboration of the key characteristics of the Jezebel spirit, it needs to be understood that the Jezebel spirit affects both men and women:
Jezebel is Gender Neutral
Although she became historically tied to the queen of Israel at the time, this by no means limits habitation of this spirit to females. Men are also threatened to become possessed by her. In fact, I know of at least three men who were possessed by the Jezebel spirit, one of them being Yours Truly. You may read how I got rid of this stubborn and tenacious spirit, plus a bunch of other spirits, in my own deliverance story available for reading here.
Francis Frangipane and Jon Hamilton make nonetheless interesting points as to why the Jezebel spirit seems to favor habitation in women:
| Although we refer to Jezebel as “she,” this spirit is without gender. However, it is important to note that, while men in leadership are the main targets of most principalities, Jezebel is more attracted to the uniqueness of the female psyche in its sophisticated ability to manipulate without physical force. Francis Frangipane |
| Although it may be common to refer to Jezebel as “she”, we obviously must conclude that as a spirit, Jezebel is gender neutral. Jezebel certainly has as many male slaves as female. However, since Jezebel initially tends to establish control without the actual use of physical force, she is more easily associated with classic feminine persuasion techniques. jonhamilton.com |
“I take what I want when I want it.”
“Short ‘n’ Sweet” Description of a Jezebel
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A rather succinct and poignant description of what the Jezebel spirit is about is given by this excerpt:
The Jezebel spirit is born of witchcraft and rebellion. This demon is one of the most common spirits in operation today, both in the church and in the world, and it 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 spirit of Jezebel is behind the daughter of Democracy, i. e. Feminism.The Spirit of Jezebel is basically a controlling spirit working through the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It has, in general, two aims:
There are two main types of the Jezebel spirit:
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And that she is…
Key Characteristics of a Jezebel Spirit
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This blog details typical characteristics of the Jezebel spirit and what areas of human endeavor she likes to operate in. I will quote authors who have had experience in identifying and dealing with the Jezebel spirit (the bibliography is given at the bottom of this article). Where suitable and relevant, I will interject my own insights, sometimes based directly on my own personal experience with the spirit.
It is noted that the characteristics of Jezebel are rooted in a psychological basis of reckless egocentricity that is fueled by a deeply entrenched fear. As such, the characteristics are all quite closely related to one and other. Therefore submitted quotes describing one characteristic routinely pertain to one or more other characteristics as well.
In reviewing the characteristics the reader should also take stock of this piece of advice:
| Naturally, it is not fair to pick one of two traits and determine that someone is dealing with a Jezebel spirit. All people have character flaws and blind spots. However, when a number of these traits coincide, it is easy to conclude that the person is dealing with the spirit and personality of a Jezebel.Is Jezebel a spirit or a work of the flesh? Jezebel is a spirit but it has found access through uncrucified flesh. Steve Sampson (p. 62) |
The latter sentence means that a person risks possession by Jezebel through committing sin. This is a general spiritual rule: people open up demonic doorways by way of sinning.
N.B. The characteristics given, pertain to the spirit and it depends on the degree of spiritual manifestation whether they also pertain to the possessed person. The “degree of spiritual manifestation” is understood to be the measure of success in which the spirit manages to usurp the will of its host. If it succeeds in seizing the will of the host completely, it will also manifest completely. In such cases of extremely close spirit-host identification, as was the case with queen Jezebel of old, that which pertains to the spirit also automatically pertains to the person. In the text of this blog, a “Jezebel” is understood to be a person who not only carries (or “hosts”) the Jezebel spirit but is also influenced by it to such degree that its behavior (significantly) resembles that of the spirit itself. It is under those circumstances that the possessed person has become a slave of the demon spirit.
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Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31 Do it to others, before they do it to you. Jezebel 1:1
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
Control-freak and Manipulator
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Jezebels serve no higher purpose than themselves. They seek to control people around them who are to have no other purpose than to glorify and serve the egos of their Jezebel masters. In the eyes of Jezebels, everything in life either does, or should, evolve around them. Their entire moral code and work ethics evolves around selfishness and self-indulgence. Jezebels cater to no-one but themselves and although they may choose to help others out, they ultimately do this in order to see service of their own interests. Jezebels are never sincerely and spontaneously altruistic.
Here are various quotes from different resources which demonstrate that Jezebel is first and foremost all about control and manipulation. This is no straight-shooter folks. She seduces and manipulates her way to the top.
| Jezebel was and is a political figure and uses spiritual control and manipulation to exert influence. Once under this delusionary spirit, she takes them captive, disguises herself as the spirit of God and allows false prophecy, idolatry and worldly practices to flourish. latter-rain.com |
| A Jezebel spirit seeks control through manipulation. It has a deep hatred of true spiritual authority, and uses emotional pressure, witchcraft and obsessive sensuality in its pursuit of power. It uses subtle persuasion to gain influence and get close to those in control. It then uses this position to gradually dominate. jonhamilton.com |
| The Jezebel spirit is in contrast to the will of God. Her will has become god. Her will must be accomplished, regardless of the consequences. Vassula Ryden |
| 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 with extreme anger at even the slightest offence. She demands blind loyalty. albatrus.org |
| Jezebel uses flattery and smooth sayings to win the favor of her victims. Jonas Clark |
| Other forms of seduction include the release of controlling words, prophecy, manipulating silence, sexual favors, body language, pouting, false tears, or timely weeping. Each of these is craftily designed to seduce your soul in an effort to get you to come under her control. Jonas Clark |
A peculiar kind of manipulation, reminiscent of bribery, is gift-giving:
| Gift giving is a form of manipulation a Jezebel uses that always makes you feel obliged to him. It also compromises the victim in speaking direct and confrontive truth. Naturally, not everyone who gives gifts is guilty of control, but gift giving is a tactic used by those who have a need to control. Steve Sampson (p. 68) |
They have no qualms whatsoever to resort to fear and intimidation if it only serves their own interests.
| Jezebel will even make you depressed and anxious when there is nothing significantly different in your circumstances. If there are difficult circumstances, this spirit will tell you they are insurmountable, impossible, and overwhelming. Jezebel will make you feel like dying when in reality, you are God’s man of the hour.Jezebel’s witchcraft will attack key leaders in her targeted area through intimidation. Those under attack may awaken one morning to find it takes effort just to breathe. All joy seems to depart. Spiritual life seems irrelevant. Demonic voices will echo in their minds “something’s wrong with you!” They may suddenly find themselves in unreasonable anxiety, fearing tragedy or death. Much of what is called “depression” in the ministry is simply Jezebel! jonhamilton.com |
Jezebels will use (sexual) seduction as tools of manipulation if only it serves their self-interests.
| Jezebel is often associated with pleasure, especially sexual pleasure. She will use any form of sensuality at her disposal to gain influence and control. Jezebel uses sensuality, but make no mistake, Jezebel is seeking CONTROL. Lusts are merely tools used to weaken others in order for her to accomplish her goal of control. In many cases sex is not involved at all. jonhamilton.com |
| Jezebels are “lustful spirits” with lust for power being primary; however, as mentioned earlier, their lust may be manifested sexually, if it will bring the desired result. The manifestation varies from a wife withholding sexual union from the husband for manipulative purposes, to utilizing sexual temptation to draw one more powerful into a compromised position that will cause their destruction or downfall. albatrus.org |
Why this obsessive pursuance of power and control over other people is so antagonistic to true Christian doctrine is explained by Steve Sampson:
| The reason the desire to control is akin to witchcraft is that it is in total contradiction to the nature of God Himself. The irrevocable gift God gave to mankind is that of free will itself. God Himself refuses to violate His gift of our free will. He will woo us, draw us and attempt to lead us, but He always leaves it up to us to choose His way. “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).God will love people to their graves, desiring to woo them to Himself, but He will never force His purpose on any man. He will in no way force eternal life or heaven on any person. He honors our “right” to choose.Therefore, when people try to manipulate or dominate the will of others, it is in direct violation of God’s laws and comes under Satan’s domain, namely witchcraft. Steve Sampson
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God wants us to come to Him based on our own free will and love for Him, he doesn’t want us to come to him based on coercion and as such out of fear. Unlike Jezebel, God is not a control-freak or dictator!
As a personal anecdote, when I still had a Jezebel spirit in me a few months back, I can remember how strong those controlling urges in me could become. At the time I had accepted an invitation by two friends to come over to the US (I’m Dutch you see), stay for a couple of weeks and in the process get delivered of the spiritual parasitic baggage I had been carrying with me for at least 15 years.
I was reading a book while my two friends were off on a family get-together. Later that day we were supposed to go check out this bookstore in Kansas City that was selling half-priced books and so this would be an excellent opportunity for me to expand my book collection. Anyway, time went by and I realized that stores do not stay open 24 hours a day and I was unsure if I would have the opportunity of going to that store at a later date. While reading at first went quite well, as time pressed on I suddenly noticed myself becoming anxious and reading became difficult. A little while later I decided to call my friend and ask her if she would be able to make it back in time. I wasn’t at all pleased with the prospect of missing out on such an opportunity. I must have sounded pretty demanding to my friend on the phone. Thankfully the call didn’t get through and I left a not-too-friendly and rather urging message on her answering machine. Although it was me who wanted to check out that bookstore it was Jezebel expanding on that desire and using it as an excuse for her to try to take control over the situation. That’s why she made me feel anxious to the point where I was unable to read. She tricked me into trying to make everybody else dance to “my” tune.
As I reflect on this experience I realize that the underlying emotion which caused me to act as a little dictator ultimately is fear. Fear of not ending up with control and/or attaining whatever she desires is what propels a Jezebel. And this is of course typical of demons; beings that thrive on that very emotion. Fear is the catalyst for generating all other negative emotions. Fear drives aggression, it fosters insecurity, anxiety, self-pity, narcissism, greed etc. All these emotive qualities are sharply contrasting the fruits of the antagonist of fear, which is, love, or God’s currency. Fear is the currency of the demonic.
Steve Sampson concurs:
| The most common cause of the controlling personality is fear and insecurity. Insecurity is the root of the spirit of control. It is the deepest root cause of all problems of fear, jealousy, anger, resentment and control.Those plagued with insecurity have a great sense of rejection and are seeking attention and approval. The complexity of insecurity and inferiority comes to a head in the desire to control. Finding the feelings of inferiority intolerable (often in one who feels his physical body doesn’t measure up), the mentality flip-flops into a sense of superiority and pride. This twisted pride runs even deeper than the typical ego of an athletic jock. This person who once felt so deeply inferior now, in a perverted sense, feels superior to everyone. He is now a know-it-all and is threatened by anyone who dares to disagree, seeing him as the enemy. He now has the answer to everything and is characteristically extremely opinionated. He’s quick to express his opinion as the final authority. No input needed. Steve Sampson (p 54-55) |
I have one minor corrective suggestion though. Sampson wrote “This person who once felt so deeply inferior now, in a perverted sense, feels superior to everyone.” I am quite convinced though that these feelings of superiority are not sincere. I regard these feelings to be the consequence of a psychological mechanism that seeks to offset feelings of inferiority. They are not genuine feelings of superiority but rather the result of an ego-based act of overcompensation. Deep down inside their feelings of inferiority and insecurity still remain but they are now camouflaged by a mere veneer of superiority, false security.
Indeed, their inherent insecurity is shown to still exist, as evidenced by their fearful reaction when someone challenges their usurped authority. They demonstrate to still be prone to feeling threatened. If their feelings of superiority were genuine and justified, the rationale for feelings of being threatened would have been non-existent. Sincere (feelings of) superiority only belongs to God. And unlike pretenders and usurpers, He doesn’t have, nor does he need to have, the urge to flaunt it. God just is superior.
Francis Frangipane also agrees with Sampson and I:
| The Jezebel stronghold is rooted in the woman’s reaction to fear. She controls because she seeks predictability; she manipulates because she cannot trust.However, the scriptures tell us that “perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment” (1 John 4:18 KJV). During the process of deliverance, she needs godly men and women to stand with her in love, especially as she embraces the allotted times of weakness. Remember, the woman under the influence of this spirit is a woman tormented. She has not been properly loved; the Jezebel stronghold is the result. Francis Frangipane (p 43) |
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