Counsel #5 — Spiritual Discipline

Picture: Counsel #5 — Spiritual DisciplineCWe 52.1

Periodic fasting, a practice Christ encouraged, can help us break free from the control of our appetites and refocus on God. Fasting doesn’t substitute for obedience or personal surrender. It's a reminder that while food is a gift, it doesn't define us.^{[57]https://adventistreview.org/house-call/fasting/#}CWe 52.2

Throughout the Bible we see many examples of God’s people fasting: for wisdom,^{[58]Daniel 1; Acts 14:23} for deliverance,^{[59]Esther 4:16; 2 Chronicles 20:3} when beginning in ministry,^{[60]Matthew 4} when seeking spiritual revival,^{[61]Nehemiah 9:1; Joel 1:14; Jonah 3:5} when seeking victory over demonic oppression,^{[62]Matthew 17:21} and many more.CWe 52.3

“I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJVCWe 52.4

“Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food.” Ellen White in The Review and Herald, February 11, 1904, par. CWe 52.5

Reflect: How can you approach fasting with a desire to clear the mind so you can know God in deeper ways, rather than an effort to earn God’s blessing or your own salvation?CWe 52.6