The Biblical figure, Jezebel, made her mark in history by being the woman that represents the negative qualities that wreak havoc in our lives. But if we delve deep into her character, we will discover the good within her bad. In the book, Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery, Jezebel plays the antagonist and is our scapegoat, the woman we can cast blame on for our bad choices.

Perhaps, you have a family member or friend who best represents Jezebel. Or, maybe you will be able to relate and discover a little Jezebel within yourself.

Jezebel’s Reputation

Before writing this post I checked with AI to get another take on this antagonist we call Jezebel. Most everything I read or heard about her isn’t flattering. Her reputation proceeds her.

AI states “Due to her portrayal in these ancient texts, the name ‘Jezebel’ evolved in Western culture to become a controversial and often misogynistic term used to describe a manipulative, shameless, or sexually promiscuous woman.”

Many women around the world might find offense to her portrayal, while others might celebrate her. By reviewing her poor character defects, we can discover what makes her special. Jezebel isn’t as bad as our culture wants to paint her, but she should be called out when she lives up to her reputation.

Jezebel the Antagonist – Her Defects of Character

The story of Jezebel originates in the Bible. To read her full story see 1 and 2 Kings. She isn’t distinguished by skin color or physical attributes in the Bible, rather by her character. It was during the era of slavery in the US that her figure was misrepresented as a woman of color. We should never judge others by appearance but recognize the actions that degrade our character.

A few of her notable character defects are as follows:

• Jezebel the Control Freak
• Jezebel the Prideful Woman
• Jezebel the Offended Woman

The focus of this post is control, but pride is an overarching theme within Swallow Your Pride. And offense keeps us in denial, not being open to introspecting our own lives to discover our part in the dysfunction in our lives.

Jezebel’s negative traits don’t stop there, she is known to be a manipulator and a seductress, to accomplish her goals. Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery, the chapter Jezebel, the Spirited Woman offers a comprehensive list of Jezebel’s attributes.

The Spirit of Control

It’s not all about us, but the other women (men) in our lives. Most everyone likes to be in the position of power and to be able to manipulate our daily lives and choices. There are many situations we have no control over and that is when we have to learn to surrender.

Prior to choosing a lifestyle that embraces recovery it was control, or lack there of, that wreaked havoc in my life. Five years ago, during the time of Covid, I was struggling with the loss of control in the ability to make personal health choices. While at the same time, both of my daughters achieved independence, leaving me to question my purpose in life.

I got to the point due to my choices I had to surrender. On April 6, 2021 I had my come to Jesus moment. Two days following Easter Sunday out of desperation I called out to God and He delivered Jesus and the Holy Spirit into my Heart.

The Holy Spirit working in my life eases my spirit for control.

Jezebel the Antagonist in Swallow Your Pride

Once I surrendered the real work began. Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery shares my story. After I accepted that I was the problem and my character defects were to blame, Jezebel was born. While I play the protagonist in my story, it is Jezebel who is the trouble maker.

Jezebel plays my alter-ego, the woman who disrupts my recovery. Swallow Your Pride is more than an alcohol recovery book but a character defect book. It’s a book that will help you, the reader, identify your bad character traits; put them to rest, while maintaining the good within the bad.

A significant turning point in Swallow Your Pride is at the book’s midpoint. Jezebel, The Spirited Woman emerges from the protagonist. She is lurking in the background the first half of the story but it isn’t until the midpoint that do we delve into her character. This is the last chapter I wrote and slid perfectly at the mid point of Swallow Your Pride. To read the chapter, Jezebel, the Spirited Woman, click below.

Jezebel the Woman in Recovery

In recovery we uncover our defects of character by analyzing our past hurts and hang ups. It’s hard to find fault in ourselves, especially when others have done us wrong. That is why its not just the bad traits we uncover but even more important our good traits.

At the conclusion of Swallow Your Pride Jezebel represents the healthy woman, who has recovered from her past.

Breaking the Generational Curse

As humans we have personalities, both acquired and innate. In recovery it’s not about changing who we are because we are made in the image of our Father. But identifying what traits are wreaking havoc in our lives. These are the traits we have control over.

In Overcoming the Spirit of Control | Confronting Generational Jezebel and Mental Strongholds Kathy Degraw offers additional insight on breaking the generational curse that impacts women.

Much of our behaviors are learned and it’s up to each of us to break the generational curse.

Acquired Personality Traits

The environment and our culture shape who we become. This is where I really struggled. I got so wrapped up in an unhealthy environment, my foundation wasn’t strong enough to deal with what I had no control over.

Instead of acting out of compassion and understanding, anger rooted and wreaked havoc in my life. It’s how I was showing up in life without the proper coping that was causing my problems. Recovery offers the steps and tools to overcome from our unhealthy traits.

Innate Personality Traits

When I spend time with female family members, we each have our strengths and negative qualities. Control is something that my mother struggled with and her behavior impacts my adult-life. She claims that much of her problems stem from her mother, my grandmother. I got along much better with my grandmother than my mother, due to our personalities.

The spirit of control seems to have passed down to both my sister and I. To parent adult daughters I needed to learn to surrender them to God. Not only should I trust God, but I need to place trust in each of my daughters for the choices they make.

Today I notice the differences between my own daughters. One who thrives in the business environment due to the need to maintain control and the other a people pleaser who is entering the healthcare field. There innate personalities are shaping their character and career paths.

It’s up to us as parents to nurture the character defects that benefit our children, while doing away with the ugly traits by shadowing healthy behaviors.

Jezebel the Antagonist Protagonist.

No where in the Bible will you find a positive trait portraying Jezebel. However, in today’s culture Jezebel is revered by the feminist movement. Men who have control issues are considered powerful figures, where we women are portrayed as bitches.

As Jezebel’s character develops her antagonistic force will evolve into healthy, positive traits. She is challenged by Casanova, the male character who tempts her and challenges her recovery. Together they demonstrate temptation through addiction, and at times Casanova will play the antagonistic force, demonstrating Jezebel as she resists his advances. Other times Jezebel will tease him.

Jezebel’s Role In Your Life

Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery isn’t a book to condemn you for your choices but to provide the introspection needed to heal. It’s good to have a little Jezebel exercise power in our lives, just remember you need to reign her in when she starts to wreak havoc.

Why wait another day. It’s time to reflect on your life. Get your book today!