Read It: Matthew 6:16-18
Live it: Fasting is one of those spiritual subjects that conjures up many different kinds of responses. Today’s Bible reading from the Sermon on the Mount gives real balance to the subject.
First, fasting is not meant as a tool for manipulation. It should never be used as a tool to attempt to manipulate God into doing something for us or giving us something that is not God’s will for us. Secondly, it should never be used as a tool to manipulate people’s opinion of our spirituality. The real purpose of fasting is to “deny the flesh” so that we may grow in our relationship with God.
When we fast without manipulation as an underlying motive, we benefit according to God’s plan for our lives. We also benefit because the natural outgrowth of fasting with the right motives is closeness to God.
Remember, fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines. As in so many areas of our lives, pursuing the disciplines that grow us and make us stronger will have long-term benefits for us. I urge you to give fasting a try. See what benefits accrue to your spiritual account.
Pastor Rod