While others may have their issues with fasting, such as should fasting be a restriction of food andwater only or can fasting also be achieved by suspending a particular pleasure that they enjoy and spend that time with God.
Well, my teachings are limited to the biblical way of fasting. If a person desires to consider a fast not watching television for a month as a fast, then that is between them and their God. However, biblical fasting is to deprive the flesh of its endless pleasures and cravings, which literally weakens the flesh and, at the same time, detoxifying the body. From a biblical standpoint, this is done via the abstinence of food and water or, in some cases, restrictions on certain foods. As a result of fasting, the human spirit can now directly communicate with God uninterrupted by his flesh. In other words, your spirit is now ruling your flesh and not your flesh ruling your spirit.
As a reminder, the real you is your SPIRIT and not your flesh. Your flesh is what makes you legal on the earth. The human spirit is literally trapped in his physical body, which we also refer to as the flesh. Therefore, it will always be your human spirit that longs and desires with great hunger for intimacy with the Spirit of God. Still, as long as your spirit is trapped in your body, there will always be some type of interruption or distraction, or war between the two. This is why scripture says, " For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" Galatians 5:17
Therefore, fasting crucify your flesh or weakens it via the depriving of food and water so that the human spirit, without interference by its flesh, can dominate so that it can commune directly with God, his creator, on a higher level. This is why you would come across scriptures such as, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" Matthew 26:40-43.
Fasting should be viewed as a greater level of spiritual warfare. It is to access more significant revelations from God to reveal the mysteries on earth. Simultaneously, fasting is a clear indicator that your spiritual battle is against a greater demonic power. Here is the proof, In Matthew 17, there was a man whose son was possessed by a demon. The man took his son to Jesus' disciples, who failed to heal the boy. The man, in his frustration, took the boy to Jesus. Long story short, Jesus healed the boy. After everyone left, his disciples pulled him to the side and asked Jesus why was it that they could not deliver the boy of the devil that possessed him.
Jesus answered and said, "this kind will only go out by prayer and fasting," Matthew 17:21. The word kind is defined as a different order, genus, species; breed; set. In other words, this is not your regular demon. Instead, it is a greater power, which in this case and other cases will require PRAYER AND FASTING!
As many of you may or may not know. The disciples did not fast while Jesus was on the earth; here is the biblical proof."And the disciples of John and the Pharisees used to fast: they come and say unto him. Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast" Mark 2:18-19.
So the above passage of scripture clearly reveals how Believers of Jesus Christ can be limited in power and ultimately subdued by the enemy if they neglect prayer and fasting as a part of their Christian discipline. Contrary to popular opinion in this same chapter, even the Pharisees understood a fast to exercise that at minimum dismissed food. Also, in this same chapter. More importantly, in Mark 2:20, Jesus specifically said the following, "But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."
The above verse dispels the notion or the belief of others that we are not required to fast. Again, the scripture said that when the bridegroom who is Jesus is gone, then the disciples not might but "SHALL" fast!
Well, this concludes my teachings on fasting, and it is my desire that you understood the importance of fasting and its protocols to operate correctly in it.
"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee" Proverbs 3:1-2
Written By: Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
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