Jezebel Spirits

In Part 2 of this series, I introduced the need to be aware of any division or divisive person that is affecting your ministry and the possibility that a Jezebel spirit may be operating.  This spirit obviously carries the name of Jezebel of the Old Testament – the wife of Ahab who was one of the most wicked kings in the history of God’s people.  One of the reasons he was so wicked is that his wife manipulated him into even greater sins than he would have committed on his own. This spirit operates with the same characteristics that were displayed in Queen Jezebel. It creates a hunger for power and influence in an individual that achieves its goals through manipulation and seduction.  There are often components of haughtiness and witchcraft as well.

A Jezebel spirit does not always seek the primary leadership role in a ministry or a church but can simply want to be the “power behind the throne” and be close to those who have primary leadership roles. This spirit will create division by trying to discredit the primary leader or other leaders in the ministry as he/she attempts to gain more influence. This spirit tends to set leaders at odds with each other and can also use sexual seduction as a tool which can devastate a church or ministry.  

This spirit can operate in men or women but seems to operate in women more frequently.  It is not always easy to know whether a person is being motivated by a spirit or just a need to feel significant or a prideful belief that he or she should be leading a ministry.  Any source of division needs to be managed immediately using Matthew 18:15-17 as a template – gently at first, but then firmly when needed.  When a spirit is operating you will probably not see godly sorrow or repentance but will likely see anger and rebellion and an attempt to get other church leaders on his/her side.  Good communication with other leaders will be imperative to determine what is actually going on.  

A person demonized by a Jezebel spirit will not always be open to acknowledging the issues or to deliverance. This spirit often enters into a person when he/she is very young – especially one who has experienced a great deal of rejection or loss.  The spirit will provide comfort and feign friendship at first.  The demonized individual may see this spirit as a friend or even a mother figure and protector.  Letting go of that spirit will not feel safe even for an adult. Since deliverance with the individual’s cooperation may not be possible, making declarations and praying against this spirit will be essential as well as asking the Holy Spirit to make that person aware of the spirit and its damaging effects on the person’s life and relationships.  

In the meantime, the individual needs to be removed from the ministry and, at times, even from the church.  Division is such a powerful weapon of the enemy that Paul commanded Titus to deal with divisive people quickly.  “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:10).  Dealing with people in such a way is difficult, especially if you have a mercy gift or a gift of compassion, because you fear damaging them or adding more rejection to their lives.

However, a lifestyle of creating division is sin and can’t be ignored.   It is critical that you respond to that issue biblically as well as any other persistent sin issues that show up on your team, since each one opens the door for the enemy to get footholds in your ministry that will eventually become strongholds. In our “don’t judge me” culture, we have typically laid aside or watered down the biblical commands to exercise church discipline, but to exercise discipline is best for the unrepentant sinner as well as for the body of Christ. Any discipline must be motivated by love and concern and should be an intentional process rather than a reactionary moment of anger or frustration.

A Jezebel spirit is one of the most difficult spirits to deal with so you may want to get some help from those who have health successfully with it before. Robert Morris (Gateway Church) has a very helpful teaching on dealing with this spirit that you should be able to find on YouTube.

Part 4 will discuss other issues in choosing leaders for your ministry team