What Fasting really is - Apostle Joseph Simwela
11m | Apr 22, 2023*What Spiritual Fasting is*
*Text*
For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No!
The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
*Matthew 4:2-4 NLT*
In the text above, we learn what actually Spiritual Fasting is. Due to fasting, Jesus was hungry and the devil thought He needed food - but look at the answer. . .
_Man shall not live on bread a lone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God_
It means the substitute of bread or physical things it's actually Spiritual nourishment.
Fasting is not abstaining from food - its abstaining from food to seek God in Prayer and word. If you are not seeking God then you are not fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us centre our attention on the Lord and discover his will so we may act according to it.
We have spiritual fasting and medical starvation - If you abstain from food and never seek the Lord in prayer and his word, then thus starvation and never spiritual fasting.
Many of us are like this, we say we are fasting yet we are full of chatting, watching movies, moving around till its time to break our fasting. . .that is starvation or hunger strike
Fasting is not a gift, its a sacrifice God has designed for our lifting both spiritual and physical.
Fasting is difficult and thus why it is a sacrifice and spiritually, every sacrifice comes with a reward.
Don't allow food to take away your blessing or the encounter with God that will change your life forever.
Let me read a scripture for you. . .
*Text*
Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)
“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”
*Genesis 25:30-32 NLT*
Esau lost his birthright to Jacob because of food, he could not withstand without eating. How much more blessings have you lost for refusing to go fasting?
Every fasting has a spiritual blessing attached and each time you do not fast you lose a blessing and everytime you fast you get blessed.
Many of us are like Esau, we are not ready to suffer just for a while and the moment we satisfy our body - we lose our blessings spiritually.
Sometimes you will have to choose between a blessing from God or food,
be very careful with the food that comes at the middle of your meditation with God - its like God is asking you to choose between the two.
Its not enough to say I have prayed, I have read the bible, so let me eat - there is a spiritual consequence for lusting over the flesh, displine your body once in a while.
Jesus did not say, "if you fast". . .he said, " when you fast", meaning that, fasting is not an option, its a must for every Christian who wants to grow and become successful.
Lets read this verse. . . .
*text*
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
*Matthew 6:16 NLT*
What food does to your physical body its what fasting does to your spiritual life. You can not please both the flesh and the Spirit - choose one.
Fasting brings us closer to God-strengthens us so that we remain equipped for anything unknown ahead of us.
Jesus was tempted after his 40 days of fasting and managed to contain the demands of the devil since it was time when He was closest to God through fasting.
Fasting should involve total denying of ourselves-abstaining from food as well as various activities we usually do for a certain period of time one may desire.
