The Jezebel spirit is described in the Bible in a story about a woman, Queen Jezebel, a daughter of a pagan king who married an king of Israel, King Ahab. (1Ki 16 – 2Ki 9)
“Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.” (1Ki 16:30)
Women who are unfaithful, uncaring or rebellious wives, are often called Jezebels but that was not the character of Queen Jezebel, who was a faithful wife but very evil in other ways. So evil that when she cursed Elijah he felt as if he wanted to die. Jezebel did her utmost to turn the hearts of the people of Israel to Baal, an evil god of nature.
In the Bible story, when her husband King Ahab coveted a vineyard that was not for sale, Jezebel wrote letters falsely accusing the owner of the vineyard, and arranged for him to be killed so her husband could have his vineyard.
Jezebel is mentioned again by name as a spirit in the New Testament:
Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” (Re 2:20-23)
The Bible paints a very graphic and concise portrait of this spirit, although the name of Jezebel is not always mentioned, such as in Proverbs 5 and 7, and elsewhere, such as Isaiah 47:7-9:
“And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.”
Numerous articles, books and videos etc.have been published about the Jezebel spirit. A considerable amount of the information given is misleading as to the true identity of the Jezebel spirit and the means by which it works.
The Jezebel spirit is not just a demon but a principality which particularly targets people of God. That is both directly in themselves, and indirectly through others. It can get in by any number of means, such as through uncrucified flesh and fear, teaching false doctrine, etc. The Jezebel spirit is very evil and has been said to be like “the bride of Satan”.
The Jezebel spirit has the wherewithal to work both against and through highly intelligent and spiritually knowledgeable people. Easily capable of plotting, planning and carrying out complex long-term strategies, this devious seducing spirit is adept at using all sorts of manipulative tactics, such as bribery, and especially flattery and all types of scandals involving money and sex, etc. to destroy people of God.
It also has the ability to masquerade as – and provide a convincing counterfeit to – the Holy Spirit. It is Jezebel – spirits of witchcraft, and religious spirits, false prophecy and false doctrine – behind the idolatry of both non-Christian and Christian false teaching and cults.
It will often work closely with a demonic network – which may include for example an entertaining or comedian type – in order to conceal its presence and activities, so it can be difficult to identify and break free from.
Contrary to what many believe, the Jezebel spirit does not work only or mainly through seductive women, or even controlling and manipulative men, but also by more subtle, covert and devious means. Mistress – or master – of cunning and disguises, the Jezebel spirit would want everyone to believe it only manifests as a tarty and/or manipulative woman but that is far from the case. Jezebel can and does easily take on either male, female, or any of the various forms of transgender identity including homosexual.
The Jezebel spirit functions every bit as proficiently through men as through women and this is reflected in scripture which tells us that Jezebel had 850 male followers who did her bidding. They were eunuchs who “ate at her table” meaning that they were fed by her spiritually with the food of the devil, representing false doctrine, not the food of the true word of God.
“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, [men] which eat at Jezebel’s table.” (1Ki 18:19)
Some characteristics of the Jezebel spirit in its outward appearance have been likened to narcissism (or narcissistic personality disorder).
The following list “30 Traits of the Jezebel Spirit” is taken from “Confronting Jezebel: Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control” by Steve Sampson (p.62-68)
30 Traits of the Jezebel Spirit
1. Refuses to admit guilt or wrong
A Jezebel spirit is never wrong, unless it is a temporary admittance of guilt to gain “favor” with someone. To accept responsibility would violate the core of insecurity and pride from which it operates. When a Jezebel apologizes it is never in true repentance or acknowledgment of wrongdoing but rather “I’m sorry your feelings were hurt”.
2. Takes credit for everything
While a strong trait of Jezebel is to never take responsibility for his/her wrong actions or behavior, he or she also is quick to take credit for benefits for which he/she contributed no effort.
3. Uses people to accomplish its agenda
The Jezebel spirit lets others do its dirty work. The Jezebel gets another person’s emotions stirred up, then lets that person go into a rage. The Jezebel sits back looking innocent, saying “Who me? What did I do?” This behavior makes it difficult for even the most ardent truth seekers to pin one down. The Jezebel spirit is clever in its agenda.
4. Withholds information
This is a form of control. A Jezebel wields power over you by knowing something you don’t know in a situation. In the eyes of a Jezebel, having information you don’t have is a powerful weapon of control.
5. Talks in confusion
It is impossible to converse with a Jezebel in logic. One pastor wrote a six-page letter to his elders about a situation in the church. The context was so vague that no one was without confusion (word salad). This is a way to maintain control and domination. When confronting a Jezebel, the subject may be changed five times in one minute. Confusion keeps them ‘undiscovered’ and unexposed.
6. Volunteers for anything
A Jezebel volunteers in order to establish control. He or she seemingly has endless (nervous) energy and eagerly looks for opportunities to be in charge of projects. Although he or she will work hard, His/hermotive is never pure, and eventually his/her secret agenda cannot be hidden.
7. Lies
A Jezebel lies convincingly. No one can lie better than he/she can. He or she can turn on the charm and make you believe blue is red. He or she always fools those whom he’s just met while those who have been victimized by his/hertactics stand by helplessly. The fact that Jezebel can look you in the eye and lie just shows how strong and adamant this rebellious and recalcitrant spirit is.
8. Ignores people
A classic ploy of a controller is to ignore you when you disagree with him/her. This tactic is frequently used by leaders when someone doesn’t agree with their plans, and they isolate the person by ignoring him/her. Some in these situations have been ignored for months, just because they chose not to be a puppet and say to every idea or whim. This puts the person out of the leader’s grace and forces him/her to either “come around” to the leader’s way of thinking or be indefinitely ignored. One is not free to disagree with a controller.
9. Never gives credit or shows gratitude
A Jezebel will rarely acknowledge another person’s actions, not even for something that turned out to greatly benefit the Jezebel. He or she just cannot bring himself/herself to say thank you or to acknowledge that someone else did something right. There are those who have gone out of their way to bless a Jezebel by being the catalyst of sending him/her on a trip or giving a gift. Yet never will there be a thank you. This again puts the controller in a position of power.
10. Criticizes everyone
This is a characteristic of a controller. He or she has to be the one who looks good, so he/she will quickly sharply criticize anyone who makes a suggestion or plan. Even though he/she likes the plan, he/she can only criticize it because the idea did not originate from him/her. Criticizing others elevates the controller in his/her own mind.
11. Oneupmanship
A person with a Jezebel spirit will always upstage another person. He or she feels threatened by anyone who dares to steal the limelight or anyone who is a threat to his/her power and control. If you are with such a person and tell of your accomplishment or victory, you can be assured he or she will quickly tell of something he/she has accomplished.
12. Sequesters information
A Jezebel loves to be in control of information. If there is ever a situation where information is important, he/she will push to be the “first” to know it. He or she seems to know everything about everyone. Where he/she gets all his/her information is beyond comprehension, but he/she can dictate to you data and details about people’s lives and actions in mass quantities.
13. Uses information
A Jezebel uses information as a leverage for power and then shares tidbits with you, often things told him/her in confidence. This gives him/her a sense of power, even to the point of trying to impress people by “knowing things” that others do not.
14. Talks incessantly
Many people talk habitually, but a Jezebel uses talking as a form of control. In a typical conversation, he/she does all the talking, whether it is about sports, the weather or the Kingdom of God. Because of this form of control, he/she is unable to receive input from anyone in his/her life. All conversation with him/her is one-sided. You are doing thelistening.
15. Spiritualizes everything
When a controller is confronted, he or she commonly spiritualizes the situation, explaining it off on God. This prevents him/her from owning up to responsibility required of him/her. The implication is always, “You’ve got a problem; I don’t.”
16. Is insubordinate
A Jezebel never takes the side of the employer or a person in authority, unless it is a temporary action to make him/her look good. He or she often will take credit for someone else’s idea. His/her main desire is for power and control. There is no conscience when an opportunity for recognition presents itself.
17. Is pushy and domineering
A person with a Jezebel spirit pressures you to do things, seemingly ripping from you your right to choose or make a decision for yourself. He or she makes others feel as though they don’t have enough sense to think for themselves.
18. Is clairvoyant
Many who operate with a spirit of control also have a clairvoyant spirit.A Jezebel has supernatural help in knowing and sensing information.If he or shee uses this against you, he/she may say “I can’t tell you how I know this. I just know it.” This is not the Holy Spirit, but the help of a clairvoyant or familiar spirit. Clairvoyance may be defined as the power to perceive things that are out of the range of human senses.
19. Uses the element of surprise
A Jezebel’s main thrust is to be in control, and a large part of control is catching you off guard. Therefore, the element of surprise works well when he/she shows up a day early for a meeting, etc.
20. Sows seeds of discord
A Jezebel will continually belittle another person in the most subtle way. The strategy is to “gain” control by minimizing the value of another person. It is common for him/her to tell half-truths to implicate another person in your eyes. By sowing these seeds, he/she hopes (perhaps subconsciously) to eventually reap a harvest of destruction, improving his/her position of power.
21. Commands attention
A Jezebel likes to be the center of attention and doesn’t like to see others recognized and lauded. When someone else is recognized, he or she will quickly undermine the person’s accomplishments verbally.
22. Is vengeful
Since a Jezebel is never wrong, if you contradict or confront one, get ready to become his/her worst enemy. As long as you are in agreement with him/her, all is fine. But if you confront or challenge him/her, then look out. You are the target of his/her fiercest venom. A Jezebel will stop at nothing to destroy your reputation.
23. Attempts to make you look like you’re the Jezebel
A Jezebel spirit is difficult to pin down. If the person is near to being confronted, he or she will skillfully twist the entire situation, trying to make the innocent person look like the one who is attempting to control. As always, the Jezebel will do anything to look like the one who is right.
24. Insinuates disapproval
A Jezebel will often imply disapproval to those under his/her control. The controlled person feels no freedom to express an opinion, for fear of disapproval. This often manifests in a marriage or in a working environment.
25. Knows it all
A Jezebel is usually blatant regarding his/her knowledge of everything. Quick to express his/her opinion in any area, he or she leaves little room for anyone to point out the other side of an issue. He or she has made idols of his/her opinions.
26. Is ambitious
The Jezebel has strong desire, but all for self. “I want what I want when I want it,” describes his/her worship of self-will. A Jezebel leader will never use the words, “We have a vision,” but rather, “My vision is thus and so.”
27. Gift giving
Gift giving is a form of manipulation a Jezebel uses that always makes you feel obligated to him/her. 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.
28. Is independent
No one has input in a Jezebel’s life. He or she fraternizes with no one unless it is to get you to “cooperate” withhis/heragenda.
29. Is religious
A Jezebel dwells in the local church but doesn’t like authority unless he/she is in the position of authority.
30. Hides
We all want to believe that the person with a Jezebel spirit is delivered. The person may seem “normal” for a period, exhibiting none of the classic traits. Then suddenly without warning a situation will arise, once again with the spirit taking control and wreaking havoc over lives. Hopefully, true repentance will come. Only then will the person be delivered.
The good news is that God gives each individual person the freedom of choice. Everyone has the freedom to make decisions, to make mistakes, to think for himself/herself, to communicate, to like or dislike and to express his/hertaste and creativity.
Those who control are in worship of their own wills and their own ways. Thank God for freedom.
If you recognize any of these traits in your own life, begin by praying this prayer:
I renounce and bind this demon of Jezebel, and I pull down this stronghold in my life.
Through the Holy Spirit I will live by your standard of righteousness, holiness and conduct. Open my eyes and cause Your light to expose any darkness, and help me to walk in humility and truth.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
Please note: The Jezebel spirit is believed by many to be the spiritual equivalent of narcissism. If you believe you have been the victim of one or more narcissists, be careful to make sure that whoever you seek counsel from understands narcissism correctly and gives the right advice that does not make the situation worse.
Scripture says trusting in man is a snare. There is no one better to turn to than God Himself, who understands absolutely everything about everyone and everything that has ever happened. We can ask God in the name of Jesus for his Holy Spirit to teach us and to guide us.
We need information though, and thankfully there is a plethora of helpful information available today for free on the internet. There are many books, articles and videos available about narcissism and many posts about narcissism on sites like Quora.com. There are a number of Facebook groups where people can share and talk about their experiences and get information and advice, such as “Living with Narcissistic Emotional Abuse”.
As with Christianity itself though, there is a massive amount of disinformation out there and some of the information may be very inaccurate and/or misleading, some driven by demons and intentionally so. This situation like any and every other can be used by the enemy to turn to his benefit and our detriment. For sure, it can be very dangerous and destructive spiritually to listen to the wrong information, adding salt to our wounds and can easily open demonic doorways – something we definitely would do not want to do.
We live in a sick world, and we should use the utmost care to discern who and what we listen to. and consider carefully whether what we are hearing fits with what we know the Bible says and our experiences. Any such information found can be used as a guide to apply as an aid to understanding what has happened or is happening now or what may happen, while not deviating from Bible principles.
That said, finding out about terms that apply to narcissism, like what is “hoovering”, what are “narcissistic fleas” and things like the common practice of ‘victim shaming’ can be extremely helpful to those already suffering from the effects of abuse who need to make some sense of what is happening to them, and why, so they can deal with it appropriately.
For further information:
The Jezebel Spirit and How It Operates
The Conflict Oriented Male Jezebel Spirit
The Charismatic Male Jezebel Conquest By Romance and Assimilation
Characteristics of the Jezebel Spirit in a Man
Don’t Eat at Jezebel’s Table Pt 1
The Nine Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Twenty-one Jezebelic Footprints
Jezebel in Our Society – Who wasJezebel?
The Spirit of Jezebel and the Church In Biblical Times andNow
The Attack of Jezebel on theChurchMystery Babylon The Great
Prayer for Renunciation of the Jezebel Spirit and to Break Jezebelic Curses
How To Recognise Religious Spirits
How the Spirit of Religion Fights the Spirit of God
An Understanding of the True Nature of Evil
Abuse – Recover from All Seven Forms
How to Identify ReligiousAbuse
Recovery from Codependency / Narcissistic Abuse
Religious Abuse – Links to Websites, Videos andBooks
Prayer for Forgiveness made possible by JesusChrist
Prayer of Release from the Occult and False Religion
The Biblical Meaning ofGrace
What is Occultism?
See also:
Biblical Perspectives on Narcissism
Important info: A letter to every victim seeking help from therapists or groups
Caution is advised: There are many self-proclaimed experts on narcissism found online who may be right in some things but wrong in important ways.
Dr Les Carter is a professional psychotherapist and provides some helpful information on his Youtube Channel “Surviving Narcissism”.
