🎥 The Rewards and Snares of Fasting

https://youtu.be/DR6j46gLBq0?si=tlQYWchfxCjAbo01

Primer Description

The rewards and snares of fasting. In Matthew 6 the Lord talks about fasting and doing it in secret in front of him and not in front of the eyes of man for our father who sees in secret will reward in secret. He wants us to know about the grace and good things that come with fasting but also the potential snares and hard things that might come our way. Our motive in fasting is so important.

Questions & Reflection

• Which rewards of fasting have you experienced personally?
• even in an introductory way?
• What fasting snares do you battle the most consistently? What are your strategies for overcoming them?
• Compare and contrast your experience of the the rewards and snares of fasting between an extended fast (like a 21-day of 40-day fast) versus shorter fasting time periods (1-3 days).

Discussion

In Matthew 6, Jesus gave us a clear command related to the motive of fasting. There are rewards in fasting. The primary way we experience these rewards are internal, but there are also snares. Fasting is not neutral, it strengthens whatever motive we bring to the table. On one side you have this potential grace to have our love and devotion for Jesus strengthened, but one can also strengthen spiritual pride if our motive is altered by selfishness. Fasting is a glorious invitation so long as our motive is right.

• We can gain tenderness, and revelation in the Word, our desires/affections begin to change, and the lesser things lose their grip.
• Or we can fall to spiritual pride, elitism, confidence in the flesh, physical weakness, mental weakness, and emotional weakness.
• We need to walk in the Holy Spirit. Check in with your friends to ensure that your motive is pure. Pray: “Search me and know my heart”.

Prayer Report 📈

<aside> 📌 Just a reminder to complete your Prayer Report in Schoology before Saturday night.

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See you at the altar 🔥