When you held days of fasting… were you doing it for me? Zechariah 7:5 (MSG)
Some people say,
“why should I fast, what do I get from fasting?” This question reveals an issue
that hinders breakthrough with God. It
points to a self-centered “all about me” attitude. Don’t get me wrong, there are
personal benefits from fasting such as weight loss, physical healing, taking control of your appetite and intensifying your spiritual walk. I am not
suggesting that it is not right to seek these things, but our main focus must
be the main thing.
When Jesus
addressed the subject of fasting, it was about the motive. He is not merely
concerned with what we do, but why we do it. A right thing may lose its benefit in the sight of God if it is done
with a wrong motive.
Jesus warned us that when we
fast we shouldn't let our motive be to impress people, or that we are super saints.
They were not fasting to the Lord but to the pride of their own hearts.“When you fast, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already." Matthew 6:16 (AMP)
As
we are fasting, let's keep the main thing the main thing – our basic motive
should be to honor and glorify Him - to keep our eyes focused on Him, not selfish motives for the gratification of
personal desires and ambitions.
In this way, we are preserved from ever permitting the blessings to mean more to us than the Blesser.
Thanks Terry. I have been telling our folks, if we loss weight it is a by-product blessing, bit not the purpose not the focus. This opens our awareness to discerning His will.
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