Unveiling, Confronting, & Overcoming The Spirits of Jezebel & Python

In many cases and in many ways, the church we see and know today, is barely a pale silhouette of the church God intended and instituted in The Book Of Acts. We have become the church in name only, known by our buildings rather than our being, or as clubs that are more focused on our own comfort and preference, then we are on carrying out His will. Multitudes of people flock to churches each week, only to sit and watch a very small few, walk in or exercise their gifts, while never actually doing anything with their own. They will sit back and allow a few people that they label or perceive to be “super-saints”, to carry out the work of the church, including prayer, labor, or helping accomplish the mission of the church through the biblical mandate of financial commitment. Churches have become like smorgasbord‘s, catering to a mindset of picking and choosing only what is palatable, and where those who are a part of it are seen as and allowed to be consumers, rather than those who want to become an active part of the Body of Christ as contributors.

But just as we know and believe that God has a plan and a purpose through His Holy Spirit working in and through the local church, so does Satan. In my experience, there are two primary spirits the enemy has positioned and employed within the church today, and they are both examples of the spirit of anti-Christ, (“anti-Christ” not being merely an individual, but a spiritual force at work opposing and fighting against the will of Christ). They are the spirit of Jezebel, and the spirit of Python. They are real, they are active, and they are deadly to individual’s, families, and churches...if not dealt with and driven out.

The spirit of Jezebel, is not a woman, but rather a spirit identified by it’s namesake, a woman in the Old Testament that personified it. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, (1st and 2nd Kings), who overrode the authority of the King, and led the children of Israel away from their worship of the one true God. She persecuted and killed anyone who truly spoke up on behalf of God or declared His word. This spirit is also spoke of by Jesus Himself when rebuking the church in Thyatira, (Revelation 2:18-29), that had allowed and tolerated the presence and activity of this spirit. This spirit is often mistakenly thought to function only through sexual or physical seduction, (though it sometimes does), and is often believed to primarily move through women, (which is not always the case). While seduction is one of it’s tactics, it often comes through the form of flattery, or even what appears to be agreement or like mindedness, all for the purpose of getting close to leadership and gaining a place of influence where it can manipulate or try to control the anointing of God. When the flattery and seductive tactics no longer work or are addressed, it will resort to viciousness and threats, often trying to intimidate or scare others into silence or acquiescence, thereby letting it continue to have it’s way. Even the powerful prophet Elijah ran and hid in despair and depression, under the oppression and threats of this spirit moving through the queen. It’s ultimate goal, is to steer and lead people away from God, and will often be recognized through someone, or a group, trying to create their own followers or “disciples”, forming stronger bonds of connection and dependence to them personally, rather than encouraging people to connect with and commit to the Lord or to His church.

Another spirit that I see prevalent and busy at work in the church today, is the spirit of Python (or Pythos). One of the few spirits specifically named in the scripture, Python is mentioned 5 times in the Old Testament, (Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:11, 1st Samuel 28:7 & 8, and 1st Chronicles 10:13), and once in the New Testament, (Acts 16:16). As its name would suggest, this spirit is likened unto a snake who’s objective is to grasp it’s victim, (could be an individual or a group such as a church), and wrap itself around thereby constricting, choking and squeezing out the breath of God (“ruach” in Hebrew, “pneuma” in Greek). This is all for the purpose of killing and/or devouring its prey. Like it’s reptilian namesake, it’s movement is very subtle and virtually undetectable to it’s unsuspecting and often oblivious victim, until it’s too late, or at least until a great deal of harm has been done. It also usually works through individuals by masking itself as a flatterer or supporter of the work of God, often appearing to have “special knowledge” or a “word” from God, while all the while slowly tightening it’s grip in an effort to cut you off from the breath of God (the Holy Spirit), and your lifeline to God (prayer). It would rather have you focusing on your struggle rather than on your source of strength, on your wounds rather than on your worship, and on complaining and/or gossiping rather than on praying and walking in your true God-given authority.

While both of these spirits are intently present and busy at work, greatly impacting and hindering the effectiveness of the church and of Christians today, they can be overcome through following the biblical examples and taking the same steps as those in the scriptures who overcame them.

In 2nd Kings 9, Jehu, the commander of Israel’s army, (whose name is an affirmation and literally means “He is God”), prayerfully and strategically sought out the location of Jezebel, and personally went to confront her. He publicly called her out in the midst of those she was surrounding herself with, and ordered her to be cast down (vs. 33). Upon being thrown to the ground, she laid there bleeding, appealing to the mercy of Jehu. When this spirit feels as though it is losing its power, and feels in danger or at risk of being defeated, it will often morph into presenting itself as harmless, wounded, and even as a victim, trying to gain pity from those opposing it, causing them to relent from their efforts against it or at least let down their guard. Falling for this will only give this spirit an opportunity to regroup and re-strengthen, often gaining more supporters in the process. But Jehu however, was not seduced by these tactics either, and proceeded to finish her off by trampling her under the feet of his horse until she was dead. Jehu then went on to lead God’s people faithfully for 28 years, re-instituting Godly worship, and founding a dynasty that lasted for nearly a century.

In Acts chapter 16, the Apostle Paul and Silas had just come from winning and converting a woman by the name of Lydia, who would be instrumental in the spreading of the gospel throughout parts of Europe, including the start of the church in her own hometown Thyatira, (not coincidentally the same church that Jesus rebuked in Revelation 2, for housing and tolerating Jezebel). They were on their way to pray when they were met and interrupted by a girl who was possessed by the spirit of Python (divination), and who had been being used by people in her town to make money, as she had been given an apparent power by the Spirit to have knowledge of events beyond a natural or human ability. She began to follow them around for days, being very vocal in apparent support, but Paul quickly discerned that what at first seemed as a positive endorsement, had actually become a great distraction and danger, as she was drawing much more attention to herself, and pulling the focus away from the work of God. She had stopped Paul and Silas from seeking the Lord in prayer, and was now stopping other people from hearing the word of the Lord declared. Paul directly and intently turned to her, rebuked the evil spirit, and commanded it to leave her. Immediately it did...and so did her apparent fortune-telling ability. This spirit was not finished however, because the men who had been using her ability to make money, then seized and arrested Paul and Silas, bound them in shackles and chains, and threw them into prison to ultimately be executed. This was also in an attempt to silence them, and to choke out their praise. The Bible says however in Acts 16:25-34, that Paul and Silas pressed through their oppression, and began to pray and sing praises to God, which ultimately resulted in their own deliverance and freedom, and also in others coming to Christ.

It is important to note, however, in the confrontation of these spirits, that they often are working through hosts or individuals who are unknowingly being used by them. Paul warns us regarding this in Ephesians 6:12, saying, “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” (Ephesians ‭6:12‬).‬‬

Our main objective should always be on the defeat and driving out of the spirit, while also seeking deliverance and healing for the individual.

However, there are at times, instances where people themselves are willingly and knowingly functioning in the influence and purpose of these spirits, because of the feelings and/or benefits that it provides them. (These apparent benefits may include, but are not limited to; an false sense of importance, a misplaced esteem, respect, or regard from people, or even out of a personal vendetta or motivation caused by hurt, fear, or something else from either their past or present.) Regardless of the individual’s motivation, in these cases, the individual must also be clearly and publicly addressed, rebuked, and no longer be permitted to hide or to function in a role of influence until and unless they come to full confession and repentance. God truly is able to heal and restore from any and every situation, when fully submitted and surrendered to by the individual. The Apostle Paul is a great example of this, as he had previously been known by his former name, Saul, when he diligently worked to stop the spread of Christianity and even was used by the enemy to kill Christian evangelists such as Stephen in Acts 7, until his own personal confrontation and conversion experience with the Lord in Acts 9.

Whatever the situation, if you believe and truly feel that you are being oppressed, influenced, or under attack from either of these spirits, pray that the Lord would give you the necessary spiritual discernment regarding the source (or sources) of the attack, and exactly when and how to confront it. Submit to God in every way, and walk in his authority in your life and ministry. I’m praying, believing, and agreeing with you for God to show Himself mighty in and through you, as you seek to honor and serve Him faithfully. He will give you the victory as you unveil, confront, and overcome these spirits! “Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ...” (2nd Corinthians 2:14)