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A "Jezebel Spirit"?

 ·   ·  ☕ 5 min read  ·  🙋‍♂️ Greg Hinnant

Snapshot

Key Text: 1 Kings 3:7-9.
👀: Original post.

My Dear Friend,

A Christian women’s counselor recently asked me to review her article on the Jezebel spirit. I read her work, but couldn’t agree. Why?

I had heard similar teachings for years in Charismatic circles from teachers I respect and love, but her piece brought home this reality: not once does the Bible speak of a “Jezebel spirit.” Let me explain.

The Bible affirms Jezebel was an historic character. She was the daughter of a Sidonian king named Ethbaal, meaning “Baal’s man” (1 Kings 16:31). So, she grew up steeped in pagan idolatry. Her name means “unmarried, unchaste, non-cohabitant.” So, she was not a typically “wifely” woman content to live submissively with a husband like her female peers. She married Ahab, King of Israel, as part of a peace treaty between Sidon and Israel. Thus, she married for influence and power, not love. And she used her queenly status to promote Baal worship throughout Israel. Thus, she polluted God’s people with false gods, false teachings, and false worship.

Jezebel hated true prophets - persecuting and killing many and even threatening Elijah (1 Kings 18:4, 13; 19:1-2). Thus, she had no fear of God or of harming His anointed and tried zealously to silence all true prophecy in the land. Meanwhile, she spread deception throughout Israel by promoting false prophets, and even feeding 850 at her own table (1 Kings 18:19).

In the Naboth affair, she manipulated her weaker-willed husband, Ahab, and the elders of Jezreel, and committed theft, perjury, conspiracy, injustice, and murder in Ahab’s name (1 Kings 21:1-16). So, instead of respecting the headship of men, she abused, intimidated, and dominated them.

Though a royal, she would resort to seduction if it served her purpose. She painted her face hoping to woo Jehu, only to discover he was as eager to execute her as she had been to eliminate God’s prophets! And her end was grisly: dogs ate her crushed body in Jezreel’s streets.

All this is biblical, factual, verifiable information describing the real Jezebel.

Now Jesus used Jezebel’s name ironically, as a pejorative, or mocking nickname, for an anonymous false prophetess in the church of Thyatira whose character was evidently like Jezebel’s (Revelation 2:20-23). She was teaching that it was fine for Christians to participate in the local idol worship and all the immorality associated with it. So, Jesus called her “Jezebel” because her influence on God’s people was as harmful as Jezebel’s. But, notably, He did not say she had a “Jezebel spirit.” Why?

Probably because no Old or New Testament text says such a spirit (demon) exists. The Bible does identify these demons:

  • A “lying spirit” (2 Chronicles 18:21-22)
  • An “evil spirit” (1 Samuel 16:14)
  • A “familiar [occult] spirit” (Leviticus 19:31)
  • A “spirit of infirmity” (Luke 13:11)
  • An “unclean spirit” (Matthew 10:1)

But no “Jezebel spirit” appears in Holy Writ. Again, these are the biblical facts.

Instead, Scripture showcases the sin nature and wicked attitudes and actions of the historic figure, Jezebel. They constitute the satanic character, a set of evil, Luciferian attributes, but not a particular spirit (demon) to be bound, expelled, or renounced in Jesus' name. (The same is true of men whose attitudes or actions are like those of King Saul, Ahab, Nabal, or Haman; they, too, are manifesting satanic character.)

So, when we say someone has a “Jezebel spirit,” we are actually describing their fallen or satanic nature. Through their conscious choices to sin, sin’s master, Satan, is with their full permission controlling them, and thereby manifesting his wicked mind, works and aims through them.

It is Satan who wants to silence true prophets. Satan wants to promote false gods and prophets. Satan wants to spread deception throughout the land. Satan wants women to disrespect the headship of men and wives to manipulate their husbands. Satan wants women to use seduction as a means to their selfish ends. And Satan loves theft, murder, perjury, nefarious conspiracies, and injustice. It’s better, then, that we describe these Jezebel-like manifestations as a Jezebel attitude or character, or a satanic character. How do we minister to women acting like Jezebel?

First, by intercession. We ask the Lord to convict them of sin. Second, by fasting, to further empower our intercession. Third, we counsel them with God’s Word, applying what it says concerning each of the Jezebel-like traits they possess. If they repent and obey God’s Word, they will become increasingly free from all Jezebel-like behavior. God’s Word will wash them, sanctify them, and set them “free indeed” (John 8:36) to begin building a Christlike character and kingdom works. Yes, it’s that simple because God’s Word and Spirit are that powerful - if consistently believed and obeyed.

Let us, then, honor the Reformers' motto, “Sola Scriptura.” The Scriptures alone provide us with authoritative truth for Christian faith, living, and teaching. Be sure whatever teaching you hold or share is clearly tethered to and grounded in God’s Word. It alone keeps us spiritually sound and safe from deception. Or, as in this case, it keeps us from misdescribing aspects of our Christian life and experience.

Tethered to God’s Word,
Greg Hinnant

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WRITTEN BY
Greg Hinnant
As a speaker, Greg has for many years ministered in churches, schools, and conferences across America and abroad.