There she was again. Standing right beside me with her arm around me attempting to give me a squeeze. I was on alert that day, because I had a dream the night before of a storm coming my way and in that storm was a Jezebel spirit targeting me.
Once I scooted out of that trap she stood in front of me and began telling me (again) how anointed I was. I looked her straight in the eyes thinking that false spirit of flattery might have to shut her eyes...or roll completely back into her head due to lying! But instead, she got more determined to tell me how wonderful I was and that she was entirely committed to serving us in the ministry. (Those words were words from a Jezebel spirit...not mine). I thought to myself, Here we go again, Jezzie. You are trying to control me once again. This time, I'm NOT buying into your flattering words just so you can attempt to manipulate me!
Hold Your Ground!
I held my ground that day, but over the next few days I began to feel guilty for "judging" this person. So, guess what I did....I reached out to her and opened my heart once again. It only took a short time for this spirit to try to move in quickly to gain an entrance into "speaking into my life." I was way too familiar with this spirit's tactics....and once a few sentences rolled off her tongue I had the spirit pegged once again. The words were similar to this:"Oh, Pastor Sandie. I can't understand why everybody doesn't come to your church. You're so wonderful." Then there was something said like " I just know you are the one who recognized my anointing and gifting and that I'm called to be a senior leader also." My heart sank. I had really desired to mentor this precious saint, yet the seducing spirit of Jezebel was attempting to prevail against her and me!
Believer, you just read what I have experienced many times as a pastor and senior leader in the Body of Christ. I am very prophetically gifted, as most of you know, and our church in Hurst, Texas, is trained in the supernatural gifting (especially in the prophetic ministry). Let me be blunt- the Jezebel spirit is always attracted to the prophetic ministry and ministers. Think about it- Elijah was an awesome prophet and remember who threatened to kill him? Yep. Jezebel! And her words were so powerful that it caused Elijah to take off running to the desert fearing for his life!
Jezebel's Words Cause Discouragement
Have you been discouraged lately? If so, let me ask you a question. Whose words are you listening to? Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah and it says in Scripture that Elijah actually "saw that" which Jezzie wanted to do! Yes, he saw himself slain by Jezebel! Dear one, Jezebel flows in a spirit of false prophecy. Yes! Jezebel was falsely prophesying Elijah's destruction. Her words were like witchcraft and actually controlled Elijah's responses, robbed him of faith and even caused vain imaginations. Jezebel's witchcraft words of discouragement caused him to lose courage!
Then, it moves differently. Many times I have observed how this evil spirit seductively moves in false flattery in order to get close to us. Remember when Jehu showed up to destroy her she painted her face and eyes, fixed her hair and began to flatter Jehu asking if he had come in peace? (See 2 Kings 9:30). Jezebel knew very well that Jehu had NOT come in peace, but she appealed to his mercy with false flattery.
I've Been There!
Reader, I've dealt with Jezebel so often that at times I believe I can spot this spirit a mile away. And usually I can! However, I have also learned that I must leave room for repentance. If you confront a Jezebel, hopefully he/she will repent. (Jezebel has no gender) But if not, do not allow yourself to become co-dependent by attempting to "fix" the situation. Walk in love, always, but be wise as a serpent! This spirit will seduce you in order to control and manipulate. The spirit wants power and control.
And, dear one, if this spirit keeps showing up, don't keep blaming yourself! The enemy is probably after your anointing! War against this spirit by using the Word. If the Spirit of God points out something in your own life that needs attention then, by all means, pay attention. However, don't allow this spirit to target you with guilt and shame.
I have written two books on the subject of Jezebel and I highly recommend them for your spiritual warfare arsenal. One is Breaking the Demonic Threefold Cord and the other is Breaking the Jezebel Yoke.(not pictured) You may click on "Books" to review them or click on Lifegate Church to go to the website to order. God bless you! I'm praying for you now that the Lord empower you with His strength to overcome and walk in His fullness!
By the way, I have two other articles on Jezebel on my blog. Please feel free to scroll down and read! Blessings and empowerment to you!
By the way, I have two other articles on Jezebel on my blog. Please feel free to scroll down and read! Blessings and empowerment to you!
All this focus on the strong man, means the strongman is winning your attention. I just fought a 7 year war against a Jezebel spirit not because I picked a fight, but because God ordered me to fight. The weapons of my warfare were like that of Jehu. God told me to ignore her. I was not there for her. I was there for the men of God she was destroying in her household. I was there to have singleness of mind and purpose, to obey only the voice of the Lord, and to set her son free. God taught me in the moment how to battle her. I had faced her many times before and lost. This time I won, because He showed me how. Jezebel is just like those demons that manifest right as you are ministering at the alter, and you are about to set someone free who has been bound for many years. She yells, thrashes, intimidates, dominates, makes you feel suicidal, and blocks out the sound of God's voice. She tries hard to kill you. Why? In my case, I have a prophetic annointing and if I break open that alabaster jar in her church, the annointing will reverse all her damage so she comes in like a flood.
ReplyDeleteIgnore her. She was not in your marching orders. Jezebel is not your goal. She is your distraction and derailment.
With singleness of mind I went into Jezebel's lair and walked out in unity with her son, who God called to walk with me. God said he suffered enough. He also said it takes 2 to overcome Jezebel, because when one falls, the other picks them up. One is easy to take out, but a three strand chord is hard to break. God set him free, empowered him, and set his mother and sister back on their heels. God gave him the desires of his heart:a wife, a family, and the means to protect them. He went from emasculated to a young, strong lion full of goodness, strength, and annointing.
If you asked my flesh if it were possible 7 years ago I would have struggled. Instead the annointing hit me like Jehu, and I ignored Jezebel'a flattery, I ignored her masks and games, I ignored all the pain, and the intimidation. I side stepped her domination. Then I commanded the eunauch to throw her down.
Once he was set free, and the men in the family were rising up, I was commanded to move far away. Just like when Jesus went to Egypt, and Moses went to pharoah's home, God knew having a female child would cause an intense war for her soul.
I obeyed, and we moved. Then at the time of her birth, God sent me even further away with bad news about my mother's health so I could have the baby far away, and recover before facing the war.
Then God reminded me that HE fights Jezebel not me. The Lamb overcomes Jezebel by putting her in a sickbed, and if she does not repent, He allows her to die. Every time that woman attacks me, if I do not respond, God punishes her. If I hold my peace, God brings sickness, and blinding pain on her body, and forces her to back off. He has reduced the sphere of her influence, taken down her defenses, and is now convicting her of her sin. Parts of her are changing. Maybe in the end she will repent and be set free. That is my hope, but for now, I guard my kids.
God is faithful, and He does give you everything you need to win the war. You just have to obey, and do everything you can to stand. In your moments of weakness, He will carry you. In moments of indecision, He will guide your steps. When you totally fall on your face, He will lift you back up.
Ignore Jezebel and do whatever it is God commanded you to do, and watch in amazement at what He does in, through, and around you. Jezebel is His problem, and I leave Him to it! My job is to lift Jesus higher.