Fasting: A Path to Spiritual Strength and Clarity

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that allows us to draw closer to God by starving the flesh and strengthening the spirit. It is not a drudgery but a delight, as it helps us align our desires with God's will. Our flesh and spirit are in constant conflict, and fasting is a powerful tool to give strength to the spirit over the flesh. By denying the flesh, we create space for a deeper relationship with God, allowing the spiritual side to grow and flourish.

Fasting is about being good stewards of the body, the gift God has given us. When we neglect our physical health, it affects our spiritual well-being and our ability to serve God effectively. The spiritual and physical often run parallel; when we are spiritually healthy, we are often physically healthy as well. Fasting disciplines the body, prayer fights the enemy, and the Word of God gives us wisdom. Together, these practices help us overcome the flesh, which is our greatest battle.

The world encourages us to indulge our desires, but the Bible teaches us to crucify the old self and flee from sinful longings. Fasting helps us resist the flesh's demands and brings our bodily appetites into submission to the Holy Spirit. It is not about following a set of rules but about embracing the grace and mercy of God, which leads us to live under a higher standard.

Fasting is also a means to resurrect dead prayers, break strongholds, and seek direction from God. It is a form of spiritual warfare that requires discipline and perseverance. The power of fasting lies in prayer, as it starves the flesh and focuses our attention on God. It is challenging but rewarding, as it leads to spiritual breakthroughs and a deeper walk with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that starves the flesh and strengthens the spirit, allowing for a deeper relationship with God. It is a delight, not a drudgery, as it aligns our desires with God's will. [01:17]
• 2. Our physical health affects our spiritual well-being. When we neglect our bodies, it impacts our ability to serve God effectively. Fasting helps us be good stewards of the body, the gift God has given us. [04:02]
• 3. The world encourages indulgence, but the Bible teaches us to crucify the old self and flee from sinful desires. Fasting helps us resist the flesh's demands and brings our bodily appetites into submission to the Holy Spirit. [07:26]
• 4. Fasting is a means to resurrect dead prayers, break strongholds, and seek direction from God. It is a form of spiritual warfare that requires discipline and perseverance. [22:12]
• 5. The power of fasting lies in prayer, as it starves the flesh and focuses our attention on God. It is challenging but rewarding, leading to spiritual breakthroughs and a deeper walk with God. [26:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - Introduction to Fasting
• [01:17] - The Battle of Wills
• [02:30] - Fasting: Delight Not Drudgery
• [03:16] - Stewardship of the Body
• [04:31] - Spiritual and Physical Health
• [05:09] - The Battle with the Flesh
• [06:39] - Resisting Worldly Desires
• [08:03] - The War Within
• [09:02] - The Lust of the Flesh
• [11:14] - Old Testament Lessons
• [12:43] - The Importance of Stewardship
• [15:49] - The Missing Element of Fasting
• [18:40] - Discipline and Submission
• [22:12] - Resurrecting Dead Prayers
• [26:54] - The Power of Prayer and Fasting
• [31:10] - Spiritual Authority
• [34:40] - Prayer for Deliverance
• [39:59] - The Need for Prayer and Fasting
• [43:30] - Preparing for a Fast
• [47:48] - Counterfeit Obedience
• [49:43] - Being Repairers of the Breach
• [52:02] - Communion and Baptism
• [54:17] - The Call to Worship

1. 1 John 2:16 - "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."
2. Matthew 17:21 - "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
3. Isaiah 58 - A chapter on true fasting that pleases God.

1. What are the two competing wills within us, and how does fasting influence them? ([00:36])
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between physical health and spiritual well-being? ([04:31])
3. What does the world encourage us to do with our desires, and how does the Bible instruct us differently? ([07:26])
4. According to the sermon, what role does fasting play in spiritual warfare? ([22:12])

1. How does fasting help in aligning our desires with God's will, according to the sermon? ([01:17])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that neglecting our physical health can impact our spiritual life? ([04:02])
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of "resurrecting dead prayers" through fasting? ([22:12])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the power of prayer when combined with fasting? ([26:54])

1. Reflect on a time when your fleshly desires conflicted with your spiritual goals. How might fasting help you in similar situations in the future? ([01:17])
2. Consider your current physical health. Are there areas where you feel it might be affecting your spiritual life? What steps can you take to address this? ([04:02])
3. The sermon mentions the importance of resisting worldly desires. Identify one desire you struggle with and discuss how fasting might help you overcome it. ([07:26])
4. Have you ever experienced a "dead prayer" in your life? How might fasting and prayer together help you seek God's direction in this area? ([22:12])
5. The sermon describes fasting as a form of spiritual warfare. What specific spiritual battles are you facing, and how can fasting be a tool in your arsenal? ([26:54])
6. Think about a stronghold in your life that you wish to break. How can you incorporate fasting into your strategy to overcome it? ([24:27])
7. The sermon encourages us to live under a higher standard through grace. What is one area of your life where you feel called to raise your standard, and how can fasting support this change? ([21:51])