Hey CenterPointe,
If you’re anything like me you’ve thought about whatever it
is you’re fasting from quite a bit… maybe TOO much… maybe ALL THE TIME! I
warned against this last week (in case you missed it, you can read it here).
The thing we’re giving up because they WERE a distraction still ARE a
distraction because we can’t stop thinking about them. Next thing you know
we’re convinced that it’s okay to do it, just this once, I mean come on it’s 40
days, what’s one day gonna hurt? If this is you, here a few things I’d like to
share with you…
#1 I Can’t Do This—this
is one of the easiest lies to start believing… well, it’s actually sorta true
and sorta not. If we totally eliminate God from the picture and have to solely
trust in and rely on ourselves then yes, we CAN’T do it. But you and I aren’t
powerful enough to remove God from the picture. He’s here regardless. He’s
waiting for us to call on His name. He’s ready to help us once we realize we
need His help. And with God’s help we CAN keep going, we CAN finish strong, we
CAN stop. To say, “I can’t” is the same as saying, “He can’t.”
#2 It’s Just This
Once—this is one of most dangerous lies to start believing. If you’ve
struggled with addiction in the past you know this lie all too well. A few
years ago Pringles came produced one of the smartest promotional campaigns
ever… “Once you pop, you can’t stop.” What are you fasting from? Is it
Facebook? Can you honestly just log in this once? Candy Crush? Can you really
play just one game? Choice foods? Can you really stop at just a taste? Don’t
believe the lie. Once you’re in, you’re in. There’s no going back. It’s only
gets EASIER the next time and the next time after that. Remember, you can do
all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
#3 I Don’t Want To Be
Legalistic—this is a good ol’ fashioned churchy excuse. Nobody WANTS to be legalistic;
I mean come on, Jesus said those people were more interested in rules related
to God than a relationship with God. I mean it’s just a little bit of jelly on
the knife or a couple Fruit Loops that fell from your kid’s bowl or you just
happened to pick up someone’s phone and Facebook was already open. God is full
of grace… He’ll forgive me. Right. He will. And you can keep making excuses to
do the things you want to do, now, during the fast, as well as later when
you’re no longer fasting. Excuses are excuses (even when you use God as the
excuse). Don’t confuse legalism with DISCIPLINE.
#4 I Screwed Up; I
Quit—this is exactly what Satan wants you to think. I’m not talking about
just during the fast, I’m talking about life in general. He wants to stay where
you are, doing what you’ve always done. He doesn’t want you to grow. He doesn’t
want you to get closer to God. He doesn’t want you to fulfill your purpose. He
wants you to give up. He wants you to quit. Punch him in the face and remind
him that VICTORY is already yours! You messed up! Big deal! Life is full of
mistakes! In Christ you have the ability to get UP one more time than you’ve
fallen DOWN. Greater isn’t about
living perfectly, it’s about pursuing a perfect God.
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