WRONG FASTING

WRONG FASTING

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 6:16-18

DEVOTIONAL: - “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Vs. 16)

    As good as fasting is in prayers, if it is not done with knowledge, then it can hinder prayers. One of the principles that make God to answer prayers is fasting, yet we need to do it with understanding. Fasting can be a hindrance to our prayers, when it makes us uncomfortable with God.

The purpose of fasting is to humble the flesh and to help us stay focused on the spiritual exercise of praying to God. But we should be careful not to turn it into a religious act i.e., just doing it. When some people don’t eat, they feel that they are paying a high price. They feel that even if they don’t pray, God would answer them. This is very wrong.

In our Scripture for today, Jesus said that fasting should not be done for show off. This is because, when a man is not broken, or humble before God, he will always look for a way to feed his ego by doing something that makes him look important. Sometimes, some people use fasting to gain rank with men which is enough reason for unanswered prayers. 

There are times when some people say that they have fasted and prayed but God did not answer them. This could mean that they were bribing God with the fasting so, they become angry when the answers don’t come. Please, understand that fasting is to humble us and not to make us proud. If we fast for wrong reasons, we will hinder our prayers. So, fast aright! Peace!

Prayer: Lord, help me to always humble myself before you.

“FASTING FOR SHOW OFF WILL ALWAYS OFFEND GOD”