Uncovering The Roots ~ Part 2

Last week we talked about uncovering some of the roots of the Jezebel spirit. We shared the story of Korah who tried to rise up against Moses, and how he and his family were swallowed up by the ground, and his followers were consumed by a fire that came down from heaven.

We also started to cover the different roots found in the Jezebel spirit:

1. A Root of Rebellion

Since God places all authority in position, rebellion against that authority is lawlessness against God. For those who operate with a Jezebel spirit, rebellion is at the core of their being.

2. A Root of Bitterness

… looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled ~ Hebrews 12:15

Rebellion, in all its forms, has several roots, one of which is bitterness. Bitterness opens a door by which a Jezebel spirit slithers into a person’s soul undetected.

3. A Root of Bondage

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear ~ Romans 8:15a.

A root of bondage leads to fear and produces spirits of legalism, depression, servitude, enslavement, and control. Someone enslaved to a Jezebel spirit -- either as its vessel or as its victim -- cannot taste true liberty.

(These first 3 points I have put a brief description for review, for more details, look back to the last lesson online.)

4. A Root of Fear

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me ~ Job 3:25

Fear, which is a lack of faith, opens the door for a Jezebel spirit to enter an individual’s life. A mindset of fear may begin in childhood. It then continues until an individual’s soul gains rule and begins to control him or her. A spirit of fear -- a mental stronghold of the soul -- may lie to a young girl. It will whisper, “I will protect you. I will be your refuge from other people’s domination. I will give you control.” This spirit’s deception happens subconsciously because it bypasses cognitive understanding and moves directly to influence an individual’s actions. Therefore, a spirit of fear causes you to learn to react to situations with fear.

A spirit of fear always gains its influence during our weakest moments. These moments usually follow on the heels of an episode in our life that has left deep scars on our psyche. Weaknesses can also arise from spoken fears of our parents and others. Unfortunately, many well-meaning parents use fear to control a child, rather than developing a child’s ability to make wise choices.

A root of fear can be removed by the Spirit of God. But individuals must be willing to pay the price of prayer, patience, and forbearance. They must also desire to forgive any authority figure who has wounded or abused them.

Mental Strongholds

Lies spoken by seducing spirits are very subtle. They arrive as thoughts “spoken into a soul” by a cunning and shrewd evil spirit. At first, the thoughts seem logical and just. Once they are embraced, believed, and accepted, these thoughts become embedded into our subconscious mind. They become a way of thinking, or in other words, a mental stronghold. Your conscious mind may never knowingly process the thoughts that enter it from that point on, unless you receive revelation from God and discern that a demonic spirit is trying to control your thoughts.

Most strongholds take root during our childhood years. Generally speaking, your parents probably did not have the discernment to nullify such attacks of spiritual warfare. Even those parents who were able to discern a lying spirit often were not adequately versed in the Word of God to teach their children how to defend themselves against such attacks. Consequently, we have all become potential prey for Satan’s lying snares (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

To agree with a lying spirit is to become its prisoner. Such dishonest spirits are demanding prison guards. The same spirit that works through and for them also works against them, to keep a person from escaping. In a twisted way, these demonic prison guards will try to convince an individual that their prison cell is actually a vehicle that will bring about their long-awaited position of honor. But it is an illusion.

Whenever we accept the enemy’s lies, we then willingly accept rejection, insignificance, and insecurity. We begin to doubt having a loving heavenly Father. Consequently, a stronghold of fear will produce untold anxiety and depression (Proverbs 12:25).

Once Christians are able to recognize these strongholds, they can find true freedom. Removing a spirit of fear will sever a major root of the Jezebel spirit. Freedom and inner healing for past wounds are accomplished by renouncing false trust in an evil source and be receiving renewed trust in the Lord Jesus. More will be said about this in Chapter 12.

5. A Root of Pride

Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth ~ Revelation 17:5

…for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow’ ~ Revelation 18:7

Pride is the tap root of a Jezebel spirit. Pride involves lifting or elevating yourself in order to rule in stature or influence. A spirit of pride in contrary to the Holy Spirit.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a good example of the antithesis of pride. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Savior of the world, she pondered over the mystery of why the Lord chose a humble maiden for such an awesome destiny (Luke 1:46-55).

The spirit of pride is also unlike the heart of Esther, who humbly entreated her authority to hear her petition. Because of her meekness, her cries were heard and a nation was saved.

Nor is this spirit of pride typical of Deborah’s heart. As a prophetess and a judge of Israel (Judges 4:4-9). Deborah did not want to presume or wrongfully take leadership that belonged to another. Instead, she stepped into leadership only at the insistence and invitation of the leader.

Active Waiting

Anna had just finished lighting the last candle in the temple. The autumn chill had come earlier this year. But on this morning, the cool air seemed particularly refreshing and her prayers seemed alive and unhindered. Perhaps it was the fast she had just ended. But soon, Anna knew she would see the Light of Israel and of the world.

Years ago the Lord told her in a vision that if she would pray for the coming of the Messiah, she would live to see His arrival. Since her husband had died, Anna had set her heart to serve the Lord daily -- from morning until evening -- for the past fifty-seven years. At times, it had been hard to persevere, but the Lord had helped her. People kindly brought her provisions. How could she not serve Jehovah Jireh? He truly provides!

Across the courtyard, she saw Simeon coming to say his prayers. Today, he also arrived earlier than usual. She watched as he knelt and raised his hands toward Heaven. The intense presence of the Holy Spirit was in the Temple. Walking around the porch area near the alter, Anna fell to her knees sobbing great tears. God’s presence was so powerful. When she arose and walked toward the courtyard to pray for others who would come that morning, she gasped as she passed one of the huge pillars that held up the temple’s roof.

Simeon was speaking with a rugged looking young man and his beautiful young wife -- both were radiant. As Simeon took their little baby in his arms, tears flowed down his face and beard. When he lifted up the child to bless him, Anna knew in her spirit that Simeon was holding the Redemption of Israel. As Simeon began to prophesy over the child, Anna was led by the Holy Spirit to go throughout the temple proclaiming God’s promise was fulfilled. The Messiah had come!

For nearly sixty years, Anna served in the temple with meekness, contrition, and steadfastness (Luke 2:36-38). Self-promotion was not evident in her life. Others called Anna a prophetess, but she did not. As a result of her humility, God exalted her.

Despising Meekness

Jezebelite pride is the antithesis of humility. In Scripture, Jezebel is portrayed as glorifying herself and living luxuriously. Full of presumption, she decided to “sit as queen” (Revelation 18:7). This arrogant spirit will despise the lowly estate of a widow or of any woman. This puffed-up spirit views meekness and humility as inherently worthless and debase. As such, this spirit despises subordination to authority because to be submitted to authority would require a sacrifice too great to offer. Instinctively, this haughty spirit uses seductive qualities to lure others into its schemes. Desperate for attention, people under the dominion of this spirit desire the infatuation and adoration by others, who are then led to their death.

A Sexual Temptress

Several years ago I listened in amazement as David shared what had happened to him. He seemed to have the perfect life: a beautiful wife and a job that he loved. His church was bursting at the seams. David was frequently in the newspapers. Everything seemed to be coming together for David, except in his marriage. It had been months since he and his wife had been sexually intimate. Their marriage was becoming strained. He kept planning to take some time off from work.

Then, David began noticing other women. After seeing them in church, he would fantasize about them. One woman in particular caught his attention. He was pleased to see her name scheduled in his calendar one day. Feeling more excited about seeing her then he should have been, he decided to guard his emotions cautiously.

The appointment went smoothly. The woman seemed vivacious and eager to serve. She secretly told David that her attractiveness had been a disadvantage in other churches. Two weeks later, she returned again. This time, she was wearing a full length fur coat which didn’t seem strange at the time since it was beginning to turn cold outside. As she entered David’s office, he closed the door, as was his usual practice since his secretary’s desk was just outside. Standing in the middle of the room, the woman began to tell David how anointed he was.

She shared a vision of him preaching to kings and presidents, and she wanted to help him get there. She revealed that God had given her some insight. Looking into his eyes, she told him that she was aware he and his wife had not been intimate in a while. She knew his loneliness. Appealing to his pride, she said that David and other great men of this age were like “King David.” Her role was to help the king in any way she could. Just as it was for David and Solomon, one woman could not satisfy the sexual needs of a man with such a great calling.

Intoxicated by her tantalizing words and sensuality, David stopped breathing for several seconds. Then in a bold move, the woman dropped her fur coat revealing her nakedness. His heart pounding with anticipation, a powerful seduction came over him. Moving around the side of his desk, David touched her and gave into the craving that had gone unmet for so long. During the sleepless nights that followed, waves of shame and guilt washed over him. He wanted to run, to turn back the clock and erase what had happened. Eventually, David resigned from the ministry. His 3,000-seat building was later sold at an auction.

I find more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be trapped by her ~ Ecclesiastes 7:26

The pride of our anointing can be the seed to our eventual downfall. It can lead to a fatal attraction.

The Coming Deception

Nearly 2,500 years ago, the prophet Zechariah described a spirit of pride that would hide behind a coming deception involving women. I believe he was shown a vision of the Jezebel spirit arising in the Earth today (Zechariah 5:5-11). Zechariah saw a basket that was divided into six parts. The number six is the number of man, depicting fleshly effort. When the basket cover was raised, Zechariah saw a woman sitting inside. When the woman tried to escape, an angel forced her back into the basket and placed a lead weight over the cover. Then, two women with wings like a stork took the basket to the land of Shinar or Babylon, where this woman, would sit on a lofty pedestal. The Lord called this woman, who was a demanding and prideful spirit, “Wickedness.”

Today, women who strive for power, position, and rule often unsuspectingly embrace an Antichrist spirit. This spirit will urge, push, and cajole women to demand position and authority, much the way the women’s rights movement has operated in our day. Thus, these women fall into the snare of fulfilling Zechariah’s prophesy.

A spirit of pride makes it very difficult for an individual so captured to repent. The person will need to realize that humility before God is priceless. He or she will need to give up a defensive posture against authority and usurping another’s authority -- particularly male authority. If such individuals repent of a spirit of pride, they will be delivered from that great and hideous deception.

Rooted In Our Spirits

Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1b

We are told to cleanse ourselves at the root -- which resides in our soul -- as well as in our spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). To ignore our soul or flesh will only perpetuate its fruit. Our spirit will become contaminated if our soul rules over it.

In announcing the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, John the Baptist said, “…the axe is laid to the root of the trees…” (Luke 3:9). In a similar way, we must kill more than just our superficial natures if we are to bear godly fruit. We must examine and deal with the motives of our hearts and sever the deep roots in our soul, particularly if we are to be involved in individual, corporate, and national repentance.

Facing Yourself Honestly

When a Jezebel spirit becomes entwined with a human soul, the roots of the demonic spirit must be discerned. This understanding comes from the Holy Spirit who awakens our spirit to His lack of rule over our lives. He does this by conviction, not condemnation.

God must reveal the point of weakness at which a demonic spirit has access into a person’s life. In closing this door, a person will eliminate the threat of that demonic spirit’s returning. Any lingering threats that may try to reopen this door must also be dealt with. Therefore, a continuing spiritual vigil must be maintained until complete healing has taken place (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Under great stress, people who have seemingly been freed from a Jezebel spirit may fall back temporarily into former patterns of manipulation and control. Although they may have repented and been delivered of this spirit, their weak or wounded areas may not have had sufficient time to heal. Old habits may resurface. For this reason, if leadership does not pay attention, such individuals may again become a problem.

Out of Control Behavior

If an individual’s problems began as a result of a dominant father or mother, an individual may need to question themselves with whom he or she vies for control. The person may still be in bondage to a controlling mother and may have married a strong mate with whom he or she competes for control. If the threat of losing control is merely perceived, such a person may have a general fear of authority or may overreact by challenging any authority figure for control. Sound spiritual reasoning must be made in order for the individual to trust that others will not dominate, bruise, or belittle them in the future.

Such individuals will readily sense an accusing, critical, or judgmental attitude towards them. This will quickly shut the door to any ministry of restoration. To minister deliverance will require great compassion. Remember, ministry succeeds when God initiates it and when His skill and wisdom are present.

Change Is A Process

Once an individual is freed from this demonic spirit, his or her spirit must be healed and strengthened. The entire process will take time. The person must be given time to mature spiritually. To be placed on leadership would be premature and should not happen until deliverance, healing, and restoration is completed. A new foundation will need to be laid in the person’s life. This may be difficult for a pastor to do. Especially if the pastor is timid, fearful, or angry at what the individual has done.

It is not unusual for the person who has operated with a Jezebel spirit to have a true prophetic call from God. This gift has simply been perverted, distorted, and misused. Redemption, healing, and maturity can be wonderful gifts that destroy the work of the evil one. Perhaps this is why Satan desires to pervert the prophetic gift -- so it will not damage his own empire.

Pastors should take caution. They should not try to heal this would lightly. Handling the situation poorly -- by granting mercy when a firm stand should by taken, or by overreacting to the person -- may cause the wound to deepen and result in irreversible damage to the individual. If the person’s gift is reactivated too quickly, it will bury the person under the weight of adulation.

No matter what spirit oppresses, they must refuse to defend themselves and justify their behavior. They must search their heart and repent, turning away from sin. They must confess their sins to the Lord, who promises to forgive and purify (1 John 1;9). Repentance is vital to the restoration process (2 Corinthians 7:10). Until full repentance comes, God cannot truly bless and heal them (Isaiah 59:20).

In trying to help, leaders need to demonstrate mercy to the wounded individual. Remember, it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2;4). Encourage them so they are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:12-13). Avoid doing things that would cause them to refuse healing (Matthew 18:7). Be careful to not demonstrate an arrogant or hostile posture toward them. Any attempt to control them may drive them further into rebellion.

A Forerunner Prophetic Spirit

Centuries ago God sent His messenger, the prophet Elijah to confront Jezebel and her false prophets who were leading God’s people astray. In these last days, God is releasing a prophetic message across the Earth. He is raising up men, women, and children who will be empowered and anointed with the spirit of Elijah. They will confront the spirit of Jezebel (MalachI 4:5-6).

As a forerunner spirit, the spirit of Elijah will once again “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17b). As we make ready for His coming, we need to lay the axe at the root of our fleshly natures (Matthew 3:10) and bear fruit worthy of the Lord.