With so many matters of a spiritual nature, we tend to
adopt a wrong- sided, almost dyslexic approach. We do things, make decisions
and then consult God only when things don’t pan out exactly the way we plan.
You and I both know that many of the tight spots we find ourselves in, is as a
direct result of our inability to consult the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Some of you embark upon a fast simply because
everyone else is doing it. Bad Idea! Some refused to fast because everyone else
is doing it. Worse idea! Whatever the reason, there is a reason. Some motives
seem noble, others not so much. Whether your motives are constructed around
personal improvement or some altruistic aspiration to see the body of Christ
progress, the truth remains; your desire to fast has been generated by some
sphere of influence.
Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the
wilderness. Notice that he was in a place where there was no food. Try to avoid
temptation as much as possible. Don’t go standing in the kitchen and then blame
the devil for bringing food in front of you. Anyway, the scripture tells us
that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Luke 4:1-2 And Jesus being full of
the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness, 2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did
eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Notice that many people use their
time of fasting to find the Holy Spirit when he is the one who is supposed to
initiate this fast in the first place.
So many times we put the cart before the horse. Unless
you enter into this fast with the Holy Spirit as your guide then it will seem
like an overwhelmingly difficult task. It really isn’t difficult once Holy
Spirit is at the helm. The Spirit of God comes first in every decision, not
last. Let’s put the horse where it belongs or else we go nowhere quickly.
Another thing is this. The bible declares that after
the fast, Jesus was hungry. Satan then came in to tempt him. In other words,
Jesus had all right to eat when Satan came to tempt him. The discipline you
exercise when you fast, remain a discipline that you must employ in life. Yes,
temptation comes during fasting, but that’s the time you are most spiritually
aware. It’s when the fasting is done, the devil will do his best to annul the
sacrifice you’ve made. Each day you give during the fast, ensure
that the weapons you’ve gained are skilfully commissioned in the day of the
tempter.
PRAYER: Pray to be led
and guided by the Spirit of God, this is the only way to understand
the heart of G-d the father and our LORD Jesus Christ. Hebrews 16:13 Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come.
