JEZEBEL IS ALIVE AND WELL When we read a passage of scripture whose message is confrontational, we most often like to apply it to someone else’s life. However, everything that the Lord speaks to us through His Word is for us first. We must allow Him to search our hearts through His Word. One passage of scripture that most of us would like to pass off as pertaining to others is 1 Kings 16:29-22:40. It is in this passage that we read of the activity of Jezebel. As we read this passage, we need to allow Father to shine His light upon our hearts to reveal any hidden areas from which Jezebel may operate. Many have heard teachings on Jezebel and the Jezebel Spirit. Although the historical figure whose name was Jezebel is long gone, the spiritual activity of Jezebel is alive and well. There is no demonic entity or evil spirit whose name is Jezebel. However, there are many “spiritual entities and strongholds” who influence and perpetuate the operation of her activities through people. Jezebel is no respecter of persons. She will operate through any willing vessel — whether male or female. “And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him” (1 Kings 16:31). Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, whose name means Baal is alive. Consequently, Ethbaal was a priest of false gods. Jezebel was influenced by this evil man. We must carefully chose our “spiritual parents” — those whose instruction we come under as well as those who we allow to sew into our lives spiritually. Jezebel became the wife of the most evil king in Israel’s history. She was yoked with an evil man ... and became one with him. We must be aware of those we are yoked with. The associations that we have with others have the potential to influence us. Although we are to love and minister to those who are evil, we are not to be yoked with them. We are admonished in the scriptures not to be unequally yoked. We also read that light (those living a godly life) has nothing to do with darkness (those living a life without the influence of Christ). (See 2 Corinthians 6:14.) As the king and his wife, Ahab and Jezebel were governmental leaders. They were in positions of authority. Some believe that Jezebel cannot work through church/ministry leaders; however this Biblical illustration clearly contradicts this viewpoint. After all, Ahab was king of “Israel.” Jezebel continues today to work through positions of authority. She will work from her assigned position of authority or alongside of one who is in authority. “For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water” (1 Kings 18:4). "Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid one hundred men of the Lord's prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water?” (1 Kings 18:13) Jezebel had the prophets of the Lord massacred. She sought to stop all Godly prophetic activity. Jezebel’s objective remains the same today. She desires to kill the true prophetic voice. In doing so, she will silence the voice of truth. Jezebel thrives on our weaknesses, insecurities and ignorance. Many through whom Jezebel operates may not understand prophetic ministry, may desire a perceived “higher” office that they have been called/gifted for, or simply don’t know God’s purpose for their life. Some may actually be prophetically gifted individuals. However, they are insecure in who God has created them to be. Because they do not recognize the call of God upon their life or are not walking out the destiny of God for their life, they become critical of the ministry and spiritual promotions of others. Because they do not fully trust God to intervene on their behalf, they manipulate people and situation in order to help themselves ... often to a ministry that they believe they deserve. Because they are not fully submitted to God, they cannot be fully submitted to one another and therefore cannot be corrected or confronted. "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table” (1 Kings 18:19). Jezebel fed the false prophets at her table. She kept company with them because, unlike the prophets of the Lord, they could be manipulated. They not only told her the things that she desired to hear, they spoke her words. Perhaps Jezebel’s greatest identifying characteristic is manipulation (although it may be very subtle). She seeks to keep company with those who can be manipulated. “And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there” (1 Kings 18:40). Elijah executed the prophets of Baal. The law demanded that false prophets be executed (see Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 13-18; 17:2-7). Essentially, Elijah confronted Jezebel’s evil. Jezebel’s activity must be recognized and confronted. Father desires that we look within our own hearts first and then to others. We are to remove the log from our own eye and then from our neighbor’s. (See Matthew 7:3-5.) When we have recognized and dealt with those things in our lives that could potentially enable Jezebel to operate, then we can look to see if she is influencing (manipulating) us through another. “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there” (1 Kings19:1-3).  Some might read this passage and conclude that Jezebel was sold out to Baal because she sought to defend him. However, I don’t believe Jezebel “loved” her god. In fact, she merely found him useful for fulfilling her plans. She was so intent on fulfilling her plans that she got rid of anything standing in her way. She went as far as to murder. (How do we murder with our tongue?) She was determined to remove any obstacle that hindered her fulfilling her agenda. This is shy she had the prophets murdered. When her plans were threatened (Baal’s prophets killed), she was angry and sought revenge. Jezebel retaliated through threats and intimidation. Even Elijah, the servant of the Lord, was intimidated by Jezebel’s threats. Jezebel will attempt to get rid of anything that stands in the way of her plans being fulfilled and will also seek out those who can help her. If her plans are threatened, she will seek to manipulate through threats, intimidation, and emotional responses such as anger or the silent treatment. Even those walking with the Lord are not immune from her tactics. “Then Jezebel his wife said to him, "You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite” (1 Kings 21:7). Jezebel encouraged Ahab to exercise his authority and control. In essence, she was telling him that this was his right. Jezebel loves to exercise authority and control. One of the main ways that Jezebel operates today is through subtle, manipulative spoken words. Her voice may often be heard through statements, public prayers, and false prophetic words. STATEMENTS “She needs deliverance.” “They have some definite issues and need some divine intervention.” “So-and-so” is in rebellion.” “Did you feel/see that?” These statements may very well be true. However, if the Lord does reveal something of this nature to you concerning another person, His desire is that you pray for them ... not that you slander them. One major problem with these types of statements is that they change the way someone views another person. In other words, they “manipulate” someone’s thoughts and feelings. One of the hallmarks of Jezebel’s strategy is manipulation. Some like to let others know of their spiritual sensitivity and giftedness by making statements such as, “Did you feel/see that?” They sometimes emphasize this with a couple of groans or mild shakes. Others want to appear spiritual and agree, “Yes, I did” — not really knowing what it is they were supposed to see/hear/feel. Jezebel deceptively gains the respect, trust and admiration or others. She gathers faithful followers who dare not speak against her. PUBLIC PRAYERS (intercessory prayer groups) “Give Pastor Pete wisdom so he can begin making the right decisions.” “Help the pastor’s wife to be the help-mate that he needs.” “Lord, help so-and-so deal with the rebellion in their life. Keep them from falling into sin and missing the destiny that you have for their life.”  These would be good private prayers. The problem arises when these are prayed publically. When these prayers are prayed before other people, they plant a seed of doubt concerning the individuals being prayed for into the hearts of those hearing the prayers. After hearing someone pray the prayer for Pastor Pete, wouldn’t you wonder if he had any wisdom and if he were able to make right decisions? After hearing the prayer for the pastor’s wife, wouldn’t you wonder if indeed she was a suitable helpmate? Some prayers on behalf of others need to be prayed in private. If the Lord indeed leads you to pray for someone, He will give you the strategy to do so — including specifically what to pray and when to pray it. It’s when we have our own agenda in prayer that we open the door for Jezebel to enter. PROPHETIC WORDS “The Lord says that you are to stay here/go there and do this/that.” “The Lord has called you to an evangelistic ministry on the continent of Africa.” These prophecies may very well be from the Lord; however, we need to weigh them carefully — both before speaking them and receiving them. Some people may find it easier to make decisions if everything were spelled out to them. While God does speak through His servants, He also desires that we learn to hear His voice rather than relying on someone else’s voice. Also, most prophecies such as these will be affirmations of what the Lord has already placed in our heart ... not surprises. What would distinguish these prophetic words to be from Jezebel as opposed from God would be the motives/intentions of the speaker. Some people try to manipulate and control through prophetic words. We must only speak what we hear from our Father ... and we must only receive what we know to be from Him. He is Truth and He will reveal truth to us. “And she wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who were dwelling in the city with Naboth” (1 Kings 21:8). Jezebel used the king’s name and seal without the authority to do so. It was not authentic. It looked authentic because it bore the king’s name and seal, but it was actually a forgery executed in her own authority. Jezebel masquerades as one having the authority of the King. How many times have we acted in presumption? Have we even insisted that the Lord led us to do something when in fact He didn’t? Do we use the gifts and talents given by the Lord to further our own agenda rather than His? Have we retaliated against those or laid a snare for those that didn’t go along with our agenda? Jezebel used the king’s name and seal without his authority to do so in order to fulfill her plans. Similarly, we use God’s name (after all, we’re “Christians”) ... and even His Holy Spirit (with whom we are sealed) ... when we say and do things not led by Him in order to fulfill our plans. When we occupy positions which He has not ordained and consequently for which He has not called or gifted us, we will at some point resort to manipulation in order to hang onto our spot, protect our ministry and make ourselves look good. “And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead” (1 Kings 21:15). Jezebel will encourage us to take what we want ... and will even offer to help us succeed at doing it. Beware of those who always say what you want to hear. Remember, there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. However, not all of the counselors will agree with everything that you desire to say and do. CONCLUSION: Expose Your Heart ... And Deal With It As we move into a time of greater prophetic activity, Jezebel will once again rear her ugly head. If you have insecurity in your life, deal with it and know who you are in Christ. If you have jealousy in your life, get rid of it and know that God’s purposes for you are greater than what you perceive to be something wonderful in someone else’s life. If you have unforgiveness in your life, let go of it and trust God to heal your heart and also to deal with someone else’s. If you have rebellion in your life, learn to submit to God and to others. Examine every word that comes out of your mouth, every thought that you have, and every action that you take ... especially concerning another person or ministry. These issues, when not dealt with and left unhealed, are open wounds over which Jezebel can spread her insidious germs that cause infection to spread as a deadly disease to other parts of the body. Allow Father to shine His light upon the dark places in your heart so that there may be no hidden area in which Jezebel may hide and operate. Our God loves restoration. He longs for us to be restored to Him. That’s why He never condemn us, but always forgives us. He longs for our relationships with others to be restored. And He longs for others to be restored unto Himself. We can be those ministers of reconciliation. If we recognize Jezebel operating through another, we are not to label or ostracize; we are to pray for reconciliation ... and respond as Father leads. PRAYER Father, I come to you through your Precious Son and ask you to shine Your light upon my heart. I desire to walk holy and blameless before You ... and want to have no part with Jezebel’s ways. I ask You to expose me to myself. Reveal to me any ways in which I manipulate others or situations through my words, actions or emotions. Reveal to me any ways in which I seek to control people or situations. Reveal to me any areas in which I walk in authority that You’ve not ordained ... including ministry activities. Reveal to me any ways in which I hinder Your activity or voice through another person. Give me the grace to repent and submit this to You. I repent of _______________(Be specific!). I choose to submit my weak areas (Be specific and name them.) to You. In my weakness, may You demonstrate Your strength. Thank You for Your forgiveness and healing. May You be glorified in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.