Walk in the Spirit - Lesson 5

Remember...to "walk in the Spirit" is something 

we do by the enablement of the Spirit.

Lesson #5

Fasting

God's chosen fast is found in Isaiah 58:6 ~ Is this not the fast that I have chosen?  To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

In Matthew 17, Jesus tells of a time when his disciples tried casting a demon out of a boy and nothing happened and Jesus said it was because of their unbelief and that these times may require prayer and fasting.

Fasting is important to a person's walk with God.  No, it does not move God, it moves you because you are denying the flesh and allowing the Spirit, full reign.  Fasting breaks the power of the flesh and its fleshly desires.

Fasting needs to be accompanied by prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We are called to fast in secret with a desire to hunger for God and His Presence in our lives.  God sees the sincerity of our heart and is pleased when our motive is simply to do our best to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Motive for fasting is very important.  We fast with one motive and that is to seek God.  If we fast just to impress people or as a ritual or a test of will power, this has been and always will be unacceptable to God.  He just won't listen to your pleas and requests.

"Sometimes we are so hungry that the only way to get fed is to fast" -- Susan Gregory, Author of The Daniel Fast.  There are different types of fasting and depends on the one God has chosen you to do. Some do liquid fasts, fast just a meal, and some can even be called to fast from TV, Computer or anything taking up more of your time that should be spent for God. 

When fasting is mentioned in Scripture, it is not addressed as...IF you fast.  It is addressed as...WHEN you fast.  (Matthew 6:16-18)  So it is expected of us because it IS very beneficial to our walk with God.  Let it be done (1) In Secret, (2) With the right motive - to seek God, (3) Led by the Spirit and (4) Accompanied by Prayer.

Fasting can give us boldness and confidence to win spiritual battles and to fight the enemy.  Fasting reveals things.  Sometimes we are not even aware how cluttered our life is until we fast. A fast uncovers clutter, sins, extra baggage, weights and disorder. 

Maybe you are one that has never fasted nor been told much about it, therefore have never had a desire to since you never knew of it's purpose or benefits.    If you are a Believer, I encourage you to experience His power through prayer and fasting.  Ask the Lord to prepare you as a chosen vessel to fast and intercede and to impart the spirit of intercession to you so that His mighty power is shown.

Enter into it wisely with baby steps before running. Be responsible. Don't decide to fast a week if you've never even fasted for three days. If you're being led by the Spirit to fast, then the Spirit will carry you through it.

May you know no other hunger but a hunger and thirst for the living God, for you shall be filled! (Matthew 5:6)  Ask the Lord to birth in you the desire to pray and fast to achieve mighty things for Him and to let your motive to fast and pray always be sincere in His sight.

Allow Him to remove all the works of the flesh, carnal desires, selfish thoughts from you so that you may be empty before Him to molt and melt you and break any hardness of the heart that may be present, so that you can then approach Him with tears of humility. Fasting should change you for the better. It should make you more pliable in the Spirit and more compassionate, not proud and haughty.

Begin to fast regularly especially if you begin feeling a heaviness in the body, a sluggishness or depression.  This can indicate a time to fast, have special prayer and to withdraw from certain pleasures.  It's time to become alive in the spirit once again!!

May you begin to see the hand of God move mightily in your own life and your family's life!

Asking the Lord to birth in me the desire to pray and fast,
Connie Schmoll

I highly recommend the book, "When Ye Fast" written by Joy Haney.