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Authors: Nancy Bowser
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it; then they tolerate a bigger sin and justify it, until they are consumed with it. I've heard it called the sin of presumption."
"So the Jezebel spirit always attaches to people who are leaders?" Nicole asked.
"No," Casie answered. "I've also seen Christians with the Jezebel spirit who are never in leadership positions other than in their home. They just attend the services and Bible studies and sit quietly waiting for opportunities to cause division and strife.
"They don't see it like that of course. What they see is that their lives are chaotic and full of seemingly hopeless circumstances. They talk about their problems time and again. They ask for prayer continually, but things never change and they continue to complain, criticize, and wallow in self pity.
"When they are given Godly counsel, they don't do it. They'll offer up all kinds of excuses why they can't, and if they are confronted on this, rebellion or confusion takes over. They may be blinded to the hope that change is possible, or they may be comfortable in the unhealthy way they gain attention from their problems. But all the while, Jezebel is stealing attention and time away from the ministry that God desires to do."
Nicole said, "In my mind I'm seeing a vision of a very sick woman lying on her bed with a large cauldron of drinking water sitting beside her. There are things inside the water that are defiling it and causing her to be sick, but she is unwilling to remove them or to have them removed. She wants to be well but is not willing to part with the cause of her sickness because she believes that she needs them."
"That's a pretty accurate picture of a person who has come under the influence of Jezebel and who continues to allow it to rule them," Casie said. "The person likes the benefits they gain from Jezebel and doesn't see how they are being manipulated and used. Once they have been seduced by this spirit who feeds their sense of self and pride, the spirit claims its territory, sets up its throne and begins to rule through manipulation and control. The victim doesn't see what is happening, but they gradually take on the nature of the spirit instead of Christ's nature.
"They believe that they are superior and know what's best for themselves and others. They will be pleasant as long as those around them are compliant, but they often become verbally and physically abusive when they are disobeyed or challenged."
Nicole said, "I can see that. I've known women with this spirit who constantly belittle and correct their husbands, and at times will verbally undermine and assault them when they try to assert opinions. I've known some who become physically abusive to their children and discipline in anger and with punishment that is way out of proportion.
"This also reminds me of something I recently encountered. A friend came to me asking for counsel in handling a situation at work because I know her boss, Aubrey. She works in a Christian organization. Aubrey has become so manipulative and controlling of her, that she has begun demanding more of her time, even her off hours. She has tried to reason with her and to say no, but Aubrey manipulates her through false praise and guilt trips, anger, threats and intimidation, and even misuses the Word of God to make her point. It is beginning to cause major problems in her family relationships. She's being pushed to a breaking point and doesn't want to quit because she really cares about her job and Aubrey."
"That's typical of the Jezebel spirit," Casie acknowledged. "This spirit can be identified by the fruit that comes from a person's life who is dominated by Jezebel. Their lives are characterized by pride and of doing what is best for themselves. Any sign of humility or submission is simply manipulation to get what they want.
"They won't listen to reason and their view of God's Word and His truth is skewed; their relationships are in ruin; there
"So the Jezebel spirit always attaches to people who are leaders?" Nicole asked.
"No," Casie answered. "I've also seen Christians with the Jezebel spirit who are never in leadership positions other than in their home. They just attend the services and Bible studies and sit quietly waiting for opportunities to cause division and strife.
"They don't see it like that of course. What they see is that their lives are chaotic and full of seemingly hopeless circumstances. They talk about their problems time and again. They ask for prayer continually, but things never change and they continue to complain, criticize, and wallow in self pity.
"When they are given Godly counsel, they don't do it. They'll offer up all kinds of excuses why they can't, and if they are confronted on this, rebellion or confusion takes over. They may be blinded to the hope that change is possible, or they may be comfortable in the unhealthy way they gain attention from their problems. But all the while, Jezebel is stealing attention and time away from the ministry that God desires to do."
Nicole said, "In my mind I'm seeing a vision of a very sick woman lying on her bed with a large cauldron of drinking water sitting beside her. There are things inside the water that are defiling it and causing her to be sick, but she is unwilling to remove them or to have them removed. She wants to be well but is not willing to part with the cause of her sickness because she believes that she needs them."
"That's a pretty accurate picture of a person who has come under the influence of Jezebel and who continues to allow it to rule them," Casie said. "The person likes the benefits they gain from Jezebel and doesn't see how they are being manipulated and used. Once they have been seduced by this spirit who feeds their sense of self and pride, the spirit claims its territory, sets up its throne and begins to rule through manipulation and control. The victim doesn't see what is happening, but they gradually take on the nature of the spirit instead of Christ's nature.
"They believe that they are superior and know what's best for themselves and others. They will be pleasant as long as those around them are compliant, but they often become verbally and physically abusive when they are disobeyed or challenged."
Nicole said, "I can see that. I've known women with this spirit who constantly belittle and correct their husbands, and at times will verbally undermine and assault them when they try to assert opinions. I've known some who become physically abusive to their children and discipline in anger and with punishment that is way out of proportion.
"This also reminds me of something I recently encountered. A friend came to me asking for counsel in handling a situation at work because I know her boss, Aubrey. She works in a Christian organization. Aubrey has become so manipulative and controlling of her, that she has begun demanding more of her time, even her off hours. She has tried to reason with her and to say no, but Aubrey manipulates her through false praise and guilt trips, anger, threats and intimidation, and even misuses the Word of God to make her point. It is beginning to cause major problems in her family relationships. She's being pushed to a breaking point and doesn't want to quit because she really cares about her job and Aubrey."
"That's typical of the Jezebel spirit," Casie acknowledged. "This spirit can be identified by the fruit that comes from a person's life who is dominated by Jezebel. Their lives are characterized by pride and of doing what is best for themselves. Any sign of humility or submission is simply manipulation to get what they want.
"They won't listen to reason and their view of God's Word and His truth is skewed; their relationships are in ruin; there
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