Fasting for Strength
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12: 3-6
In this passage from Hebrews we read something that makes it seem like we have a simple choice to sin or not. If I’ve not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, then I’ve not resisted as fully as possible right? Simple.
In the spiritual discipline of fasting we gain a strength, through our weakness, in HIM.
But what about the sin that so easily entangles? (Hebrews 12:1)
Or the sin that we agree is wrong but we can’t change (Romans 7:15-20)
Okay, so it’s not simple. What each of us experiences in struggling against sin is real. Our old nature is, in fact, not able to resist. In our old nature, all we had was the strength of human will power. This “white knuckling it” won’t work for long. Eventually, we tire and our grip is lost.
This “resisting” then must rely on another source of strength.
If we want to strengthen our bodies, we need to eat well and exercise. We have to “feed” our bodies well.
In the spiritual discipline of fasting we gain a strength, through our weakness, in HIM. By not feeding the body (food, sweets, social media, TV, news, etc.) and instead consuming the provisions of God’s word, prayer and meditation, we exercise our new nature. If I can choose to fast by refusing to feed certain appetites, then I gain more strength from HIM to not do what I know is wrong. My ability to resist sin is strengthened without my blood being shed.
Because He shed HIS.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for submitting to the cross; your blood was shed for me. I praise you for disciplining me when I fall. This is one of many ways in which you love me! As I experience more of your love, I love you more and desire grows to please. By your grace, I will remember.
-This Post Courtesy of Adam Downing