Topic: Fasting
Text: Matthew 9:11-17

Who is overcomer? All over-comer is a believer who is able to exercise restraint and manifest discipline I every area of life. These days, there are the so-called “sipping saints,” some so called Christians who consume alcohol. I wonder how someone who has ever been filled with the Holy Ghost would ever degenerate to the level of taking intoxicants. Real Bible characters abstained from alcohol. Samson’s mother was advised not to drink during pregnancy, as the baby she was carrying would be a Nazarite.

This instruction was also given concerning John the Baptist because he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. In these two cases, God tells us that those He has set apart should not drink wine. It is those who are set apart that are called overscomers. They are the pillars of the house of the Almighty God. The wine of the Almighty God is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in the consecrated ones. Satan also always refers deceptively to the statement of Jesus Christ on the cross: “It is finished”. He says this statement makes it unnecessary for the children of God to fast. As far as the devil is concerned, Jesus Christ has finished all the fasting there would be. This is not true.

Let us look at another passage which corroborates what today’s text is all about: “Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward: (Matthew 6:16). Here, Jesus said, “When ye fast,” and not “When you feel like fasting” or “if you fast”. Jesus is saying that whether we like it or not, we must fast. He even confirmed that only fasting and prayer could cast out some demons. If you cannot fast, it may mean that of these demons is already living in you.

When Satan discovers that you cannot fast, he may send any of his demons to dwell in you. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that Jesus Christ has done all the fasting so there is no need for them to fast again, all because they cannot deny themselves. They are so wedded to food that they cannot do without it for a few hours. There is a height of spiritual, which you will never attain without fasting.

I do not mean to say that you are not a Christian just because you cannot fast, but that if you rule fasting out of your life, you would be limiting yourself and God’s powers.

Memory Verse: Number 6:2 - “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite to separate themselves unto the LORD.”