Did you realize that the original sin against God was centered around food? Think about the account in Genesis chapters 2 & 3. God had created man & woman, placed them in a beautiful garden and gave them instructions on a few things they were to do and only ONE they were NOT to do. Then we find the enemy coming in the form of a serpent to tempt them with the one thing they weren’t supposed to do; to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
They failed the test. They ate the forbidden fruit and caused sin to enter the Earth.“What does that have to do with me and why do I need to fast?”, you may ask. There are many different answers to that one question, but they all boil down to one ultimate answer: To hear what God is saying.Don’t you want to know what God is saying in this day and time you’re living in? Doesn’t it seem more important than ever to hear from God and understand His plan for you?Who better, than The Creator, to answer our questions in this life? So, when you fast, do it with purpose. Do it because you want God’s best for you and those around you.Intimacy with God fixes everything. We say that often at Living Word and we believe it! Fasting is a great way to prioritize things around you and quiet things on the inside of you.
In Matthew 6 we find a portion of Jesus’ teaching called, The Sermon on the Mount. He lays out three basic exercises of Christians that are still for us today: Giving, Praying, and Fasting.Fasting is for every believer or follower of Jesus. If Jesus fasted, so should we. He is our example. Many scholars believe that Matthew chapter 4 parallels what happened between the serpent and Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. In short, Jesus was tempted of the evil one, not once, but three times while He was fasting in the wilderness and the very first temptation was about food.He passed the test. There are many things to be said about this event, but what I want to point out here is the fact that Jesus was fasting and resisted the enemy at the same time. Fasting doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger.Let me ask you this; If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why did He fast?He knew there were supernatural things that could only be unlocked by fasting. And He will not expect us to do something He hasn't already done. He is our example.There are many others throughout scripture that fasted for different lengths of time, and for different reasons, but all point back to a need to hear what God saying.So, if you are ready and determined to hear what God is saying, I challenge you to fast.
Fasting is not a restricted diet, a health fad, or abstaining from an activity. It is simply giving up food or water for a specific amount of time. You can fast one meal, several meals, or many meals.The amount is not what matters. What matters is that you starve your flesh and feed your spirit. When you skip a meal, take time to pray and communicate with God. Listen, open up your heart to what He has to say.Get intimate with God through a time of fasting and life change will happen!
Deep-rooted, Gospel-centered, Life Change.