THE POWER OF A GODLY FAST

11/20/2025

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

The Word of God is our blueprint for success. It is our manual for victorious living. It amazes me that God is even interested in bodily exercise! What amazes me even more is that He has made everything available for us to be effective both in our health and in our spirit. This means that Papa God not only wants us spiritually fit—He also wants us physically fit.

This is why He says that godliness, godlikeness—exercising yourself in the God-life—is profitable unto all things. Think about the benefits of physical exercise. Now add to that the benefits of a healthy, vibrant spirit. You can understand why the enemy will stop at nothing to discourage you from exercising yourself in godliness. I believe we must be more determined than ever before to embrace this divine exercise.

So how do I exercise myself in the God-life?

One powerful way is fasting.

Fasting is a requirement for effectiveness in the Kingdom. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, “When you fast…”—not if you fast. And when John’s disciples asked why His disciples did not fast, Jesus responded that while the Bridegroom was with them they could not fast, “But the days will come… and then they will fast.”

So what happens when I fast?

1. Fasting Reconditions and Realigns Your Spirit to God’s Perfect Will

Isaiah 58:8 declares “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”

Fasting repairs spiritual sensitivity. It clears away dullness, confusion, and distraction, and aligns you again with divine direction, clarity, and strength.

2. Fasting Helps You Subject Your Body to Your Divine Nature

Paul said, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should…”

(1 Corinthians 9:27)

Why? Because a body that is not trained to respond to the promptings of the Spirit will manifest the desires of the flesh.

But understand this: subjecting the body to the spirit is largely a mind-renewal issue. If you fast without renewing your mind, your fast will have no spiritual effect. This is why the essential ingredients of a successful fast are prayer and the Word.

Fasting without prayer is just dieting. Fasting without the Word is just starving.

Fasting with both makes you spiritually unstoppable.

3. Fasting Helps You Keep a Check on the Devil and His Activities

In 1 Corinthians 7:5, Paul—speaking by the Spirit—said:

“Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer… that Satan tempt you not…”

This means any couple, any believer, or any household that neglects fasting is opening the door to trouble. Satan takes advantage of any opening—no matter how small.

Fasting raises your spiritual antennas.

It helps you discern not only whatishappening but also what isaboutto happen.

Imagine someone ignoring all the warning signs on their car dashboard. Eventually, that car will be lost. As Christians, we also have warning signs—signals that our spirit needs a tune-up:

Saints, when you see these signs, it is time to hit the spiritual gym.

A successful fast involves the Word and prayer—and above all, a willingness to listen and obey whatever the Spirit of the Lord instructs, including repentance from dead works.

God Bless You!

Faith-Filled Confession

Father, in the name of Jesus, I yield my thoughts to Christ’s victory and triumph over sin and hell. I subject my body to the dominion of the Spirit at work in me right now. I walk in righteousness and in the beauty of the divine life in Christ. Thank You, Father, that I am enabled to display Your perfection in all that I say and do today. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.