Wait….there are dangers to fasting?
Aren’t there only blessings that come with fasting? Nope.
As in any progressing relationship with God, there are positive and negative aspects that one must be aware of. There are indeed, dangers to fasting.
Danger #1: Work for Love
I think we can all agree that we cannot do anything to make God not love us. No matter how deep the sin, no matter how deep the hurt, God still loves us. It’s true to be said that Jesus loves the murderer just as much as He loves the person that was murdered. That’s hard to fathom because we don’t love people like that. We love with conditions, on performance. God’s love, however, us unconditional. It never fades or fails.
With this in context, you we cannot do anything to make God love us more. No matter how much we pray, fast, read, attend church, mentor others, pay our tithes, etc., God will not love us any more. We can’t DO things to bid for God’s love.
This is why there is a danger to fasting.
Fasting sometimes gives us the notion that “Yeah, I’m doing this for God, He will answer my prayer now”. We can allow our works to determine how we view God’s love. Newsflash: fasting is an obedience to scripture and out of a pure heart to draw closer to God. It starts to eliminate our flesh in our walk with God. It’s not an action one can take to buy God’s love; He doesn’t work that way.
Danger #2: Self-Righteousness
Fasting takes a lot of self-effort sometimes. Not eating. Not listening to music. Not going on social media. Only eating certain things. Not eating certain things.
It’s an aspect of the Christian walk that requires our action.
However, the reason that it’s a danger sometimes is for the simple fact that WE’RE the ones fasting. We are giving up this. We are giving up that. We’re SO spiritual, that WE are doing this for God.
At that moment, we have totally missed the point.
This is why Jesus wasn’t a fan of the Pharisees. They made an effort for people to see them fasting and doing good works for God’s Kingdom.
Posting a Facebook status or tweeting about your fast isn’t drawing you closer to God, it’s begging for man’s attention and acceptance.
By the grace of God can we not only ‘get through’ a fast, but come out the victor in to a deeper committed walk with God that subdues our flesh and earthly desires.
It's better to have a walk with God that includes fasting without having to think we are more spiritual for doing something, or having to require attention of others.
Danger #3: Attack from the Enemy
Once a Christian understands and knows the benefits of fasting, it develops a deeper understanding and appreciation for it. Newsflash: this scares the devil. The third danger in fasting is a heightened attack from the enemy. It’s the bulls-eye on your head that grows twice its size during said time of fasting. The enemy is aware of how much fasting eliminates flesh. Are you?
When fasting, it’s imperative to be aware that in a weak state of mind and body, the devil will begin his festivities. He will begin to lie. He will begin to persuade. He will begin to show how fasting isn’t worth it.
This hurts Christians a lot. When fasting, be vigilant. Be aware. Be on your A-game, because the devil is on his the moment you decide to fast. Know that he will try to tell lies.
Remove flesh from the equation. Stand firm on the Word of God. Fight the devil with the very foundation you stand on.
And win battles through fasting.
2 comments:
Amen! So true! Just recently the Lord has been impressing upon my heart about fasting and prayer, doing so with purpose and right motives, and so much more! He led me to a book about fasting and prayer by Kim Johnson (think she is from Parkway Apostolic) maybe you are fMiliar. Thank you for sharing!
Well done Seth, I agree fasting can be a stumbling block if approached with the wrong attitude. furthermore, When Jesus was at his weakest near the end of his 40 day fast is when Satan came to tempt Him.
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