Confronting Jezebel: Discerning And Defeating The Spirit Of Control (Steve Sampson, 248 SAM)
Reviewed By Monica Lee (9 May 08)
I would like to share a book that God has used to transform my life and those around me—it’s changed my life. And as I shared it with family and friends, they have made the decision to rededicate their lives to Christ—to let Christ rule in them and to be discipled.
I found this book immensely readable as it provides insights into why Christians, though redeemed by Christ, become controlling and manipulative in their dealings with others, wreaking havoc in churches, ministries, communities, families and places of work.
Most importantly, it provides insight into why we as Christians fail to become mature in Christ and fail to enter our Promised Land and enter into all that God has for His precious children to enjoy.
It is especially helpful to pastors and ministry heads as behavioural traits of those under the control of the Jezebel spirit are described simply and clearly. “Jezebel in Action” is an interesting chapter of real life situations that graphically reveal many of the characteristics of a Jezebel spirit.
Please allow me now to share what God has revealed through this book, so that the veil of deception will be lifted and the Truth shall set us free:
It’s Not What We’ve Done, It’s What We’ve Become.
Our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled God’s purpose –Through His resurrection, He broke the power of sin and death and defeated the evil one.
If the enemy of our souls is defeated, why are we not living victorious Christian lives and maturing in Christ?
Steve Sampson writes that the power of the flesh is the real enemy that we face. The power of the flesh is capable of opposing the Holy Spirit in all He wants to do. Jesus has already dealt a death blow to Satan. Now Jesus wants to rule from the throne He has established at the centre of our lives. All flesh must submit to His Kingship. He is Lord:
“God’s goal for each of us is maturity. He works with us to bring us to the fullness of His likeness: That we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, but, by speaking the truth in love, may grow into all things unto Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
In his book, Sampson writes about wicked Queen Jezebel who was the ultimate of flesh in control, the wife of the spineless king Ahab who abdicated his authority to her controlling, intimidating and manipulative ways. Because of the control she exercised and the tactics she used to exert illegitimate and wicked control over people, her name has become synonymous with the spirit of control. Through her marriage to Ahab, the worship of Baal became widespread among God’s people. Moreover, she perpetrated great acts of wickedness—including the slaughter of all God’s prophets with the exception of Elijah. She then set herself up as prophetess and taught God’s people to be religious, immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols (1 Kings 16:29- 22:40). But God dealt with her. And with Ahab. Ahab was removed as king and replaced by Jehu who put Jezebel to death. Ahab’s life was cut short.
Let this be a warning to us. God hates the Jezebel spirit which still exerts its influence in the world today and Christians who live with flesh on the throne are most susceptible to its influence, displaying its controlling, intimidating and manipulative ways to assert self-will, to fulfil its own agenda and refusing to bow to divine authority. Sampson writes that the Jezebel spirit is specifically opposed to the nature of Christ:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat food sacrificed unto idols” (Revelations 2 :20, KJV)
Furthermore, Sampson writes about the godlessness of the last days(2 Tim 3:1-5) as an indication of the gross immaturity of Christians who walk in the flesh and have “a form of godliness but denying its power”.
They have been deceived into justifying themselves before God by their works ,by being ‘religious’-attending and serving in church- but in reality, Christ has no say in their lives. They sit on the throne of their own lives .Christ is Saviour, not Lord.
Moreover, they are seduced into giving in to the flesh , resulting in immoral behaviour and indulgence in sin , such as pornography.
Sampson’s book highlights two specific areas of the Christian life: The power of the flesh and the spirit of control, as personified by Jezebel, that have attempted to cripple the church. He suggests three ways to defeat this spirit:
1. To pray for forgiveness for tolerating it and bind the stronghold it has on the minds of those in our lives, churches and communities (Eph 6) and release the Holy Spirit to expose all its works.
2. To put on the nature of Christ and let Christ sit on the throne of our hearts and lives (Gal 2 :20 ,Col 3:9-10 and Mtt16:24)
3. To pray for the repentance of those under its influence and remain focused on God’s agenda, standing firm to fulfil it and not compromising with controlling personalities to keep a false peace.(Rev 2:20-22)
We must remember what Christ says: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up His cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24).
We need to confess and repent if we have allowed flesh to rule us. If not, according to Rev 3:21-22, God will make us “suffer intensely”.
The awesome truth is Christ lives in us(Rev 3:20)! And according to 1 John 4:4 and Philippians 2:1-18,Jesus has absolute authority and He is our model for life. Thus , our position in Christ is that of victory! If Christ reigns in us, we’ll have victory over the flesh and the spirit of control holds no influence over us. And we’ll move into all God has for us—living lives controlled by the Holy Spirit and bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.(Gal 5:16, Gal 5:22-25)
We are Christ’s disciples and the Great Commission is the mission our Saviour King has given us.(Mtt 28:18- 20)
Sampson concludes that God is looking to raise up strong and willing disciples who will nurture new believers into the fullness of Christ.
It’s not what we’ve done—it’s what we’ve become.
Librarian: more info on the book on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com
