Faith NOT Flesh

‘Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:1-4

Fasting forty days and forty nights would lead to loud growls from the belly.  If I fast for more than four hours emotions run rampant and the belly gets to growling.  Beginning a healthy eating plan may cause the same reactions.  It seems the belly grows a mind of its own and dominates the body.  Thoughts revolve around food.  Giving into temptations leads to a spiral of guilt and shame.  All day long, all you think about is this new plan and how maybe you made a mistake to choose such a path.

How many times did Jesus feel the trip into the wilderness and the whole fast may be a mistake?  He came to this world in human form; therefore, required nutrients just like you and I.  He felt hunger.  But, with every hunger pang, every mention of food and every thought of fleshly need – Jesus prayed.  He replaced thoughts with Truth.  He worshiped rather than worried about worldly needs. 

Just nearing the finish line of the fast, the enemy arrived.  The enemy prowled around until just the right moment of weakness in hopes to bring Jesus down.  Temptation included food – how brilliant.  Of course Jesus wanted food; remember He felt hungry.  But, over the forty days and nights of fasting He came to the realization of the true Nourishment required for survival.  He could turn stones into bread had it been God’s Will; but, the enemy was asking for such a miracle, not His Father.  Jesus knew bread would satisfy His hunger, but at what cost?

I am NOT suggesting a forty day fast.  I am suggesting a forty day focus on Truth.  Try it.  Each time any worldly desire dominates your thoughts, be it food, money, approval, drugs, alcohol, soda, perfection, etc.; turn to His Word instead for satisfaction.

It seems anytime we strive for a ‘better’ lifestyle through change or redirecting a failing path, all we think about is the desire to return to the old.  Satan knows this very well about us and comes in at just the right moment of weakness in hopes to take us down.  Satan loves for us to give in to flesh and avoid faith.  By the power of the Holy Spirit you can live by faith NOT flesh.

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  

Isaiah 40:28-31

We cannot do this alone.  We don’t need to do this alone.  Our weak flesh cannot withstand temptations to overeat, choose unhealthy meals, avoid food, purge, take a hit, buy that item, conform to another’s desires, feed pride, etc.  We only exhaust and fall into the wrong arms.  Have you not heard?  Our God waits with open arms.  He created your inmost being and knows every hair on your head.  He provides the strength to overcome the enemy and fulfill the plan laid for your life. 

God does not tire out, His vision does not blur due to working overtime and He will not run out of empathy.  He loves you.  He desires a relationship.  He wants to hear from you.  Without Him providing true Nourishment for survival, we will crumble, fail, tire and never be satisfied.  Properly nourish yourself today before heading out in this world.  When weakness strikes, refuel with Truth so that God will renew your strength and put the enemy in his place!

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig