Jezebel or Ahab?

     I'd like to look at two seperate unclean spirits, neither of which is productive in the Kingdom of God; in fact, they are destructive. The first is the spirit of Jezebel; the second, the spirit of Ahab. Since both are spirits, neither one is male of female.
     I'd also like to suggest that these spirits can describe most people's mode of operation through their carnal natures as either aggressive or passive. These modern terms seem to sanitize the real danger in each one.
     Let's look at the spirit of Jezebel first. This spirit is one of coersion, manipulation, and intimidation. It "lords it over" others, something Jesus said that we, in the Kingdom should not do. It sets up one over another, creating a hierarchy of people, where one is superior to another. God says to not think more highly of yourself than you ought to, and that humility is what He is looking for or a broken and contrite heart. Because this spirit is "above" others, it is not submitted unto God. It, therefore, is controlled by it's own nature, and opened to the devil's reign. And that is what makes it unclean. It causes all kinds of havoc, and destruction, as it suppresses others' wills to it's own; especially the weak-willed Ahab spirit it sniffs out.
     Many people can't see how destructive the Ahab spirit is because it is usually silent and passive. It can present itself as false humility. It is not submitted to God either, as it cares more about what others think of them, than what God thinks, and so it changes colors to try and please people in different situations. Digging deeper it is really submitted to it's own will, as is Jezebel, because it protects itself at all costs. Appearing compliant and submissive, it's self-love brings about it's own destruction.
     Most of us can identify with one or even both of these ways. The good news is that if we want to get out of these destructive ways, God can and will change us to be effective and productive citizens of His Kingdom. For many of us, it is a hard and long process, as we've gotten used to, and even have justified our behaviors. "Well, if he hadn't have done that, than I wouldn't have done that," we tell ourselves. Many times we have been led to believe "that's just my personality," when in fact, it's just
letting our sin nature control us, instead of submitting to God.
     God tells us that our spiritual act of worship is to give ourselves as living sacrifices daily. This means we must die to our own agenda, and do His instead, and this can come in many different forms. We can't worship Him if we are being led by our sin nature, for Jezebel and Ahab are knocking at the door. Well, Jezebel doesn't knock; she just comes in, and Ahab comes and offers you a false place of peace and rest.
     So, there is no protection in ourselves; only under the shadow of God's wing in full submission to Him. Many times we've rebelled thinking that to follow God has been a threatening thing, when in reality it is a protective thing.
     Lord, once again, we come. Help us surrender in trust to You. Cleanse us from our Jezebel and Ahab ways. We want to be putty in Your hands, being used by You for Your purposes. Help us to let go, knowing that if we don't we open ourselves up to unclean spirits that are sent to disrupt and destroy Your Kingdom. Lord, we want to be a blessing and a builder in Your Kingdom, not a destroyer. Help us see our wicked ways, so that we can repent and bring them to You to be thrown in the fire and burned. We love you, Lord, and we are blessed that You've chosen us. Amen.