Ever Get Sleepy While Reading the Bible? It Might Be More Than Just Fatigue!
Have you ever picked up your Bible intending to dive deep into God’s Word, only to find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open? Maybe you were wide awake moments before, but a heavy drowsiness settled over you as soon as you started reading. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing something far more than just fatigue—it could be a spiritual attack linked to the spirit of Jezebel!
The Spirit of Jezebel and Its Attack on Spiritual Alertness
The spirit of Jezebel is not just about manipulation and control; it is a direct enemy of true worship, revelation, and intimacy with God. This spirit seeks to suppress the voice of God’s people, especially by dulling their spiritual senses. One of its tactics? Making you excessively sleepy or distracted when trying to engage with the Word of God!
IMPORTANT: The spirit of Jezebel is not limited to women. Though Queen Jezebel in the Bible was female, the spirit itself is a demonic force that can operate in both men and women. This spirit manifests in anyone—regardless of gender—who seeks to control, manipulate, silence, or lead others into idolatry, immorality, and rebellion against God.
Biblical Connection: The Jezebel Spirit & Spiritual Lethargy
1. Jezebel’s Mission: Silencing the Prophets
In 1 Kings 19:1-4, after Elijah's powerful victory against the prophets of Baal, Jezebel sent a threat that caused him to flee in exhaustion and despair. He ended up falling asleep under a broom tree, overwhelmed with spiritual fatigue.
Have you ever noticed that when you try to read the Bible or pray, your energy suddenly drains away? This could be a similar attack—an attempt to prevent you from receiving divine revelation.
2. Jezebel’s Connection to False Worship and Deception
Jezebel introduced idol worship in Israel, leading people away from the truth (1 Kings 16:31-33).
This same spirit today distracts believers from true worship and studying God’s Word by luring them into busyness, mindless entertainment, or exhaustion.
3. Jezebel’s Influence In the Church Today
In Revelation 2:20, Jesus rebukes the church in Thyatira for tolerating the spirit of Jezebel, which led to idolatry and immorality.
This same influence operates today, not just through physical idolatry but also through spiritual distractions, causing believers to drift away from true intimacy with Christ.
4. Spiritual Warfare and Resistance
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
If falling asleep or becoming easily distracted while reading the Bible has been a consistent issue, you may be facing a spiritual battle, not just a physical one.
Who Defeated Jezebel—and How?
Jezebel’s reign of manipulation, control, and spiritual corruption eventually ended. God raised up Jehu, a warrior and king of Israel, to bring judgment upon her.
2 Kings 9:30-37 records how Jezebel met her end. Jezebel tried one last attempt at manipulation as Jehu approached her palace by adorning herself and speaking seductively. However, Jehu did not fall for her deception.
He commanded her own eunuchs (servants) to throw her down from the window. She fell to her death, and dogs consumed her body, fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Elijah in 1 Kings 21:23.
What Can We Learn From Jehu?
Spiritual boldness is necessary to defeat Jezebel. Jehu did not tolerate or entertain Jezebel’s manipulations; he confronted and removed her.
We must not be passive against spiritual attacks. Just as Jehu took action, we must be proactive in prayer and spiritual warfare.
How to Overcome the Attack of Spiritual Drowsiness
✔ Pray Before Reading – Ask God for clarity, focus, and revelation before opening the Bible.
✔ Break Any Strongholds – Declare in prayer that you reject every assignment of distraction, slumber, and spiritual dullness in Jesus’ name!
✔ Read Aloud – Speaking the Word out loud can help keep your mind engaged and push back against spiritual heaviness.
✔ Change Your Environment – Stand up, walk around, or sit in a well-lit space to stay alert while reading.
✔ Fast & Pray – Spiritual disciplines like fasting can break off spiritual lethargy and increase your sensitivity to God’s voice.
✔ Engage in Praise & Worship – Worship shifts the atmosphere and invites the presence of God, making it harder for spiritual oppression to linger.
✔ Speak Scriptures of Spiritual Awakening – Declare verses like Romans 13:11 (“…it is high time to awake out of sleep…”) and Isaiah 60:1 (“Arise, shine; for your light has come…”).
Final Thoughts
Falling asleep while reading the Bible isn’t always about being physically tired. If it’s a repeated struggle, consider whether there’s a spiritual battle at play. The enemy knows that if you genuinely absorb God’s Word, you’ll grow stronger in faith, discernment, and spiritual authority.
Don’t let the Jezebel spirit rob you of your breakthrough—stand firm, fight back, and reclaim your time in God’s presence!
Have you experienced unexplained drowsiness while reading the Bible? Share your thoughts in the comments!
