Daniel 1:20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Fasting with the humble attitude, right motive and meekness will change our attitude, increase our aptitude and elevate our altitude both in the natural and in the spiritual. Daniel fasted from the sumptuous food offered to the pagan gods when he was taken captive to Babylon. This was not to prove that he was holier than others but to protect himself from the sorcery that was presented as a lavish meal. At the end of ten days by eating fruits and vegetables, Daniel was found ten times wiser.
Fasting with the right attitude increases our aptitude by ten times. One day of fasting and prayer will give us a spiritual thrust of one year!
On the contrary, there are those who fast with wrong motives. The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12). There were forty Jews who swore to themselves to go on a hunger strike, to kill Paul. There are several occult fasting rituals to tap into the demonic powers. Such fasting for the wrong reason cannot touch the children of God when we protect ourselves in regular fasting and prayer.
The purpose of fasting is to humble ourselves before the Lord to position ourselves to receive divine rewards from the Lord. Fasting with the wrong attitude or with a smug cancels all the effects and blessings of fasting. Fasting should be with the right attitude and righteous motives.
Fasting must be purposeful and insightful:
1. Attitude: Habitual fasting keeps us modest and meek. Paul could not be influenced by flattery or criticism. When Paul was in Lystra (modern day Turkey), during his missionary journey, he healed a man who was lame from his birth. The people in town who were astonished at the miracle wanted to make him their god. “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” (Acts 14:11). However, Paul was not flattered by the hypocrisy but gave the glory to God for the miracle. Habitual fasting and prayer kept him from plummeting into pride.
2. Aptitude: A Fasting lifestyle will increase our aptitude. This has been scientifically proven that the cognitive and brain functions improve when we fast and protects the brain against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Fasting and prayer quickens our spirit and fills us with the spirit of discernment. Fasting augments our aptitude both in the spiritual and the natural.
3. Altitude: Fasting positions us in a place where we will be promoted. The king of Babylon esteemed Daniel’s intelligence and integrity that he made him the head over all his kingdom. Habitual fasting brings promotion and elevation.
Fasting and prayer is God’s elevator to promotion and supercharged potential.
Daniel 2:48 He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to fast and pray about all the important decisions in my life. Fasting is your divine design of defence. Amen.
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