Fighting for Freedom

Galatians 4:21–26 NKJV

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Galatians 5:1–6 NKJV

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

The downsides of fasting:

it can EASILY become bondage.

The Bible says nowhere how long we’re supposed to fast.

If i have two fasts: a 3-day, and a 21 day, which one is more powerful?

the more human effort is involved, the less meaningful it is in the kingdom of God. That’s why Jesus said, “they have their reward.”

Why would anyone do a fast longer than a day? only 1 reason: you know God told you to.

Fasting is ONLY an addition to a strong, focused prayer life of humility!

Fasting can EASILY become a source of pride.

It’s a private act between you and God.

Once you remove telling people, there is never any shame in ending a fast sooner than you thought. Why would there be? is God disappointed in you?

Telling people is like going on a date and live-streaming it!

Fasting is not an accomplishment.

God is looking for a fasted life, not accomplishments you can brag about! If you view fasting like this, fasting is actually hurting your walk with God.

Paul said he engaged in: fastings often.

What God is after is someone properly focused on Him all day, walking in humility, love, & peace.

The enemy’s trap is always always always to say:

To stand fast means, you will be tested in it! The enemy will TRY to know you out of your liberty!

Bondage is an ENTANGLEMENT! A trap!

you deserve bad things/suffering

God is holding your past against you

God is disappointed in you

every one of those things is you no longer standing fast in the liberty!

The most freeing possible thing, the most freeing possible thing, is finally understanding striving, performance, and approval-based living has been put to death by Christ.

man seeks approval.

man seeks “keeping up.”

man compares ourselves with each other.

have you fasted as long as them? do you have as much blessings from God as them?

Ask yourself, “what if i didn’t do as much as them?” What do you feel?

If you are feeling disapppointed in yourself, you’re not standing fast. If you are comparing yourself, you’re not standing fast.