In a world where appearances can be deceiving, not everything that glitters is gold. People often conceal their true intentions behind a mask, projecting an image that may not align with who they really are. This poses the question: how can we discern such individuals? Specifically, how do we identify women exhibiting traits similar to that of Jezebel? And, perhaps even more crucially, how can we navigate these relationships to avoid becoming their next unsuspecting victim?
Jezebel, the daughter of Ithobaal I of Tyre and the wife of Ahab, King of Israel, according to 1 Kings 16:31.
The coronation of Jezebel as queen marked a shift in the power dynamics between Yahwism and Baalism. As queen, she established Baalism as the official religion, actively suppressing the worship of other gods through violent means.
Jezebel’s reign was characterized by manipulation and seduction, leading the followers of God into the sins of idolatry and sexual immorality. Notably, Christians often linked Jezebel with promiscuity. In contemporary language, the name Jezebel is occasionally used as a term for women perceived as sexually promiscuous or controlling.
Character traits of Jezebel
- Manipulative: Jezebel is known for her manipulative nature, using cunning tactics to achieve her goals and maintain power. In the book of 1 Kings 21:1-16 we see how she fulfilled the greedy wish of her husband the King by manipulating elders and nobles just so she could steal the inheritance of an innocent man.
- Controlling: She sought to control religious practices and beliefs, suppressing the worship of other gods in favor of Baalism. Additionally, she consistently manipulated her husband, influencing him to engage in wrongdoing repeatedly 1 Kings 21:25.
- Idolatrous: Jezebel actively promoted the worship of the pagan god Baal and engaged in idolatry Revelation 2:20-21.
- Violent: Historical accounts depict Jezebel as resorting to violence, including ordering the massacre of the prophets of Yahweh. In 1 Kings 18:4 the bible mentions how she kills a hundred prophets because they chose to serve the Lord.
- Seductive: Jezebel is often associated with seduction, using her charm and influence to lead others away from their faith. Her attempts to use her charm persisted, even to the day of her demise when she tried to seduce Jehu, ultimately leading to her death at his hands 2 Kings 9:30.
- Vengeful: Jezebel is portrayed as vindictive, seeking revenge against those who opposed her or her beliefs. She threatened the life of Elijah after de defeated her false prophets and he had to flee for his own safety 1 Kings 19:2.
Women with such characteristics can be categorized as modern-day Jezebels. Identifying them might not be as easy as it sounds because people generally tend to show a better version of themselves. However, there are red flags that can slip through the cracks of the mask they’re wearing. Do you know a lady who must always have her way? Or one who knows how to manipulate people into doing things they don’t want to do? We shouldn’t wait until we see them worshipping idols before we take actions and avoid being a victim of their wickedness.
Dealing with the Daughters of Jezebel
- Pray for Wisdom:
- Seek guidance and wisdom from God through prayer (James 1:5).
- Ask God for discernment to understand the motives and intentions of the person’s actions. It’s hard to take proper measure when you don’t understand the situation at hand.
- Set Boundaries:
- Establish clear and healthy boundaries based on biblical principles (Proverbs 4:23).
- Communicate these boundaries assertively and with love. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to push your boundaries. If your friends want to force you into drinking alcohol after making it clear that you don’t want to, don’t laugh it off. Be stern and clear so that next time they wouldn’t think of suggesting such.
- Respond with Love:
- Love your enemies and pray for those who mistreat you (Matthew 5:44).
- Responding with love can help diffuse tension and contribute to a more positive atmosphere. Not everything has to escalate into an argument. Sometimes the way we convey a message is more important than the content of the message.
- Avoid Retaliation:
- Resist the temptation to retaliate or seek revenge (Romans 12:17-21).
- Trust God to bring justice and focus on your own behavior. If someone has wronged you, place their case into the hands of the Lord. God might even punish them more severely than you could ever imagine.
- Confront in Love:
- If appropriate, confront the person about their behavior in a spirit of gentleness and humility (Galatians 6:1). The word confrontation does NOT mean argue, insult, shout, denigrate. There are polite ways to confront someone without being the bad guy.
- Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Don’t be shy to tell them the truth, but say it with love. You noticed some of their actions are against the word of God and you’d love to help them recognize this so they can become a better version of themselves. The intent of your confrontation should not be pointing out their mistakes because you’re a better person.
- Pray for Transformation:
- Pray for the person’s heart to be transformed by God’s love and grace (Romans 12:2).
- Ask God to work in their life and bring about positive change. We can talk from now till eternity but without prayers, we might as well be speaking to the wind.
- Seek Wise Counsel:
- Seek guidance from wise and mature Christians or spiritual leaders (Proverbs 15:22).
- Share your experiences and seek advice on how to handle the situation biblically. This should not be an excuse to gossip about the person. Make sure you’ve tried speaking to them first and then seek counsel. After asking one or two people for advice, let the matter go; don’t go telling the whole church because you want counsel from them all.
- Maintain Personal Integrity:
- Uphold your personal integrity and remain true to biblical principles (Proverbs 11:3).
- Avoid compromising your values or engaging in unrighteous behavior. Whatever actions we take should align with the word of God otherwise we’re no better than those we’re trying to correct.
- Trust God’s Timing:
- Trust that God is in control and that His timing is perfect (Psalm 37:7).
- Be patient and wait on the Lord for resolution. It takes time for one to change; keep praying for them, showing them love and being a good example to them. Eventually they’ll come around with the help of God.
- Practice Forgiveness:
- Forgive the person for their actions, releasing any bitterness or resentment (Colossians 3:13).
- Forgiveness is a key element of Christian living. Work on healing from the scars they left behind, as unresolved trauma can be the root cause of many illnesses and misfortunes.
Remember that each situation and person is unique so these principles may need to be applied in varying degrees depending on the circumstances. Consistent prayer, reliance on biblical guidance, and seeking support from fellow believers and church leaders are essential components of dealing with ladies with a Jezebel spirit. If the matter gets out of hand, don’t hesitate to distance yourself from them. Losing a friend is better than losing a life.
Stay Blessed x
