"30 traits of the Jezebel spirit"

It is shocking how everything that is written in this text works out in reality. How do I know it..... I have been interested in this a lot and I must say that this is an outstanding text for which I thank Jack in the name of Jesus.

 

Excerpted from Steve Sampson's book "Face to Face with Jezebel: Spotting and Overcoming the Spirit of Control" (pp. 62-68).

Jezebel is a spirit, but she finds access to people through an uncrucified body. Although the spirit of Jezebel is described in the Bible as a woman, it actually has no gender. It undoubtedly functions just as proficiently through men.

 

1.      Refuses to admit fault and error

 

The spirit of Jezebel is never wrong unless it is a momentary admission of guilt to please someone. Accepting responsibility would violate the spirit of insecurity and pride in which she operates. When Jezebel apologizes, he never does so out of a sense of remorse or recognition that he has acted wrongly, but rather says: "I'm sorry your feelings were hurt."

 

2.      Takes laurels for everything

 

While it is a significant trait of Jezebel not to take responsibility for his evil actions or behavior, he is also eager to collect laurels for a boon to which he has blandly contributed.

 

3.      He uses people to achieve his intentions

 

The spirit of Jezebel allows others to do the dirty work. Jezebel stirs up another person's emotions and allows that person to become enraged. She sits comfortably and looks innocent, saying: "Who? Me, and what have I done?" This behavior makes it challenging for even the most avid truth seekers to pin him down.

 

4.      Withholds information

 

It is a form of control. Jezebel has power over you by knowing something that you don't know about in a given situation. In Jezebel's eyes, having information that you do not have is a powerful weapon of control.

 

5.      Makes confusion with speech

 

Logical conversation with Jezebel is impossible. A pastor wrote a six-page letter to his elders regarding the situation in the church. The context was so vague that everyone was confused. This is a way to maintain control and dominance. During a confrontation with Jezebel, the subject can change five times in one minute. Confusion keeps Jezebel "undiscovered" and unmasked.

 

6.      He volunteers for everything

 

Jezebel volunteers to establish control. He seemingly has endless (nervous) energy and eagerly seeks opportunities to lead projects. Although he will work hard, his motive is never pure and ultimately his secretive intentions cannot remain hidden.

 

7.      Lies

 

Jezebel lies convincingly. No one can do it better. He can charm so much that he makes you believe that white is black. He's always deceiving those he's just met, and those who fall victim to his tactics helplessly watch on. The fact that Jezebel can look you straight in the eye and lie only shows how strong and unyielding this rebellious and resistant spirit is.

 

8.      He ignores people

 

A classic ploy of a controlling person is to ignore you when you disagree with them. This tactic is often used by leaders when someone disagrees with their plans. They isolate that person by ignoring them. Some in this situation were ignored for months simply because they chose not to be puppets nodding to every idea and whim. This attitude causes them to lose favor with the leader and forces them to either "change their mind" about the leader's thinking or be ignored indefinitely.

 

9.      Never expresses appreciation or shows gratitude

 

Jezebel rarely expresses gratitude for other people's actions - even those that she later finds she benefits greatly from. She simply can't bring herself to say "thank you" or acknowledge that someone else has done something right. There are those who have given much of themselves to bless Jezebel for being the catalyst for some outing or for giving a gift. And yet he never says thank you. This again puts the controller in a position of power.

 

10.  He criticizes everyone

 

This is a characteristic of the controller. He must be the one who looks good, so he will eagerly and sharply criticize anyone who makes a suggestion or plan. Even though he likes the plan, he will criticize it simply because the idea did not come from him. Criticism of others bolsters him in his own mind.

 

11.  Efforts to appear better

 

A person with the spirit of Jezebel will always outshine other people. She feels threatened by anyone who dares to steal the spotlight falling on her, or anyone who is a threat to her power and control. If you are with that kind of self and talk about your accomplishment or victory, you can be sure that she will be quick to talk about something she has accomplished herself.

 

12.  Sequesters information

 

Jezebel loves controlling information. Whenever there is a situation where information is relevant, he will be the "first" to know about it. He seems to know everything about everyone. It remains beyond comprehension where he gets all his information, but he is able to name you data and details of people's lives and actions in mass quantities.

 

13.  Uses information

 

Jezebel uses information as leverage to gain power, then shares scraps with you, many of which are things entrusted to him in secret. This gives him a sense of power and makes him even go so far as to impress people with "knowledge of things" that others don't have.

 

14.  He talks incessantly

 

Many people speak compulsively, but Jezebel uses speaking as a form of control. In a typical conversation, he is the one who says everything, whether the topic is sports, the weather, or the Kingdom of God. Because of this form of control, he is incapable of accepting information from anyone in his life. Any conversation with him is one-sided. Your job is to listen.

 

15.  Spiritualizes everything

 

When confronting the controller, it is he who usually spiritualizes the situation, explaining that it is the work of God. This prevents him from being held to the responsibility required of him. The implication is always: "You are the one with the problem, not me."

 

16.  He's insubordinate

 

Jezebel never sides with an employer or person in authority unless it is a temporary measure to make herself look good. She will often take laurels for someone else's idea. He desires mainly power and control. Has no conscience when the opportunity to gain recognition presents itself.

 

17.  He is arrogant and apodictic

 

A person with the spirit of Jezebel puts pressure on you to do things, seemingly taking away your right to choose and your right to make decisions for yourself. It makes others feel like they don't have enough sense to think for themselves.

 

18.  He's clairvoyant

 

Many of those who operate with the spirit of control also have the spirit of clairvoyance. Jezebel has supernatural power in knowing and sensing information. If she uses it against you, she may state: "I can't tell you how I know this. I just know it." This is not the Holy Spirit, but the help of the spirit of clairvoyance or the spirit of witchcraft. Clairvoyance can be defined as the power to see things that are beyond the scope of human senses.

 

19.  Uses the element of surprise

 

Jezebel's most important aspiration is to gain control, a large part of which is to completely surprise you. The element of surprise therefore works well when such a person shows up the day before a meeting, etc.

 

20.  Sowing discord

 

Jezebel constantly belittles another person in the most subtle of ways. This strategy is to "gain" control by minimizing that person's worth. He often tells half-truths to entangle another person in your eyes. By sowing the seeds of discord, he hopes to ultimately reap a harvest of destruction by consolidating his power.

 

21.  It catches the eye

 

Jezebel likes to be the center of attention. In turn, she does not like others to be acknowledged and praised. When someone else is met with recognition, Jezebel is quick to verbally undermine that person's accomplishments.

 

22.  He's vindictive

 

Since Jezebel is never wrong, if you deny or confront him, prepare to become his worst enemy. As long as you remain aligned with him, everything is fine. But if you confront him or challenge his words, beware. You are the target of his most dangerous venom. Nothing will stop Jezebel from destroying your reputation.

 

23.  He's trying to make you look like Jezebel

 

Jezebel's spirit is hard to pin down. If such a person is close to a confrontation, he will deftly distort the whole situation by trying to make the innocent person look like the one trying to gain control. As always, Jezebel will do anything to make herself look like the one who is right.

24.  He makes his disapproval clear

 

Jezebel often implies disapproval of those under its control. Out of fear of disapproval, the controlled person does not feel free to express his or her opinion. This often manifests itself in a marriage or work environment.

 

25.  He knows everything

 

Jezebel is usually cheeky when it comes to his knowledge of anything. Eager to express his opinion in any area, he leaves little room for someone to point out the other side of an issue. He has made idols out of his opinions.

 

26.  He's ambitious

 

Jezebel has strong desires, but all of those desires are tied to his own person. The statement "I want what I want and when I want it" describes his cult of self-will. A leader with the spirit of Jezebel will never use the words: "We have a vision," but rather will say: "My vision is this and that."

 

27.  Gift-giving

 

Giving gifts is a form of manipulation that Jezebel uses by making you always feel obligated to him/her. It also leads the victim to compromise on telling the direct and confrontational truth. Naturally, not everyone who gives gifts is guilty of controlling, however, offering gifts is a tactic used by those who have a need to control.

 

28.  It is independent

 

No one contributes to Jezebel's life. He doesn't fraternize with anyone, unless the goal is to get you to "cooperate" in furtherance of his hidden agenda.

 

29.  He's religious

 

While Jezebel resides in the local church, he dislikes authority figures unless he himself is in a position of authority.

 

30.  He's hiding

 

We all want to believe that the person with the Jezebel spirit is freed. The person may appear "normal" for a period of time without exhibiting any of the classic characteristics. Then, unexpectedly and without warning, a situation arises where this spirit once again takes control and wreaks havoc in one's life. One hopes that true repentance will come. Only then will the person be set free.

 

The good news is that God gives each individual freedom of choice. Everyone has the freedom to make decisions, to make mistakes, to think for themselves, to communicate, to like or dislike something, and to express their taste and creativity.

Those in control worship their own will and their own customs. Thank God for freedom.

If you see any of these characteristics in your life, start by saying this prayer:

Father, I recognize that I have succumbed to the spirit of Jezebel. I come to You in humility. I desire Your standard of righteousness and holiness.

I ask You to forgive my tolerance of the Jezebel spirit and my positive attitude toward its habits. Please forgive me for every way I have opened myself up to this spirit. Help me to ruthlessly reject any kind of this thinking and desire to control and manipulate other people.

I renounce and bind the demon Jezebel and tear down that stronghold in my life.

By your Holy Spirit, I will live according to your standards of righteousness, holiness, and good conduct. Open my eyes and cause Your light to expose every darkness and help me to walk in humility and in truth.

In Jesus' name, may it be so. Amen!