Excerpt from “Confronting Jezebel: Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control” by Steve Sampson (pages 62-68)

There are many posts about narcissism on Quora.com. There is an increasingly large amount of disinformation on the internet, particularly on subjects such as Christianity and narcissism, etc. so please do research with care.

Jezebel is a spirit, but it finds access through uncrucified flesh and fear.  Although the Jezebel spirit is described in the Bible in a story about a woman, Queen Jezebel, it does not actually have a gender. As a spirit it is genderless, so it can and does easily take on either male, female, or any form of transgender identity. It is a controlling spirit, and there is no doubt that it functions just as proficiently through men as through women and this is reflected in scripture which tells us that Jezebel had 850 male followers.

It is the Jezebel spirit behind the idolatry of false doctrine and cults, just like the Bible story which tells us that Jezebel had 850 men who would do her bidding. To “eat at her table” means 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.” (1 Kings 18:19)

Some characteristics of the Jezebel spirit in its outward appearance have been likened to narcissism (or narcissistic personality disorder) but it is far more than that and encompasses spirits of witchcraft and spirits of religion. The Jezebel spirit is known to be highly intelligent and very evil. It has also been said to be like “the bride of Satan”. 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. In the Bible story, Jezebel wrote letters falsely accusing the owner of vineyard, arranging for him to be killed so her husband could have his vineyard which he coveted.

Numerous articles, books, videos etc. have been published about the Jezebel spirit. A considerable amount of this information is misleading as to the true identity of the Jezebel spirit and the means by which it works. Contrary to what many believe, it is not only or mainly through seductive women, or even controlling men, but also by many other more subtle, covert and devious means. It has the means to work against and through highly intelligent and spiritually knowledgeable people. The Jezebel spirit also has the ability to masquerade as and provide a convincing counterfeit to the Holy Spirit.

The Jezebel spirit is known to target men of God, both directly in themselves, and indirectly through others. Demons often do not work alone but in networks and the Jezebel spirit is more than capable of working closely with others, also in complicated long-term strategies. Working within a network it is easily able to conceal its presence and activities, so it can be difficult to identify and break free of. Generally speaking, the Jezebel spirit cannot be cast out as it is not a demon, but a demonic principality.

The Bible paints a very graphic and concise portrait of this demonic principality although the name of Jezebel is not always mentioned, such as Proverbs 5 and 7. Also 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.”

Characteristics 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. 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/her motive 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/her tactics 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 the listening.

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” with his/her agenda.

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/her taste 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!