March Newsletter, 2025
When it comes to the top ten favorite words for Christians, the word
“discipline” does not appear. Puppy dogs, a day at the beach, hot cocoa and
hammocks in the shade are just way more popular. The thought of effort,
self-sacrifice, and an early morning wake-up call are hard sells in anyone’s lifestyle.
Yet, Dallas Willard and Richard Foster capture in their books, “Celebration of
Discipline” the essence of this truth and show it as the path to spiritual growth.
Anyone who has pursued athletics, music, education, business or life goals will
attest to the fact, without discipline, it is highly unlikely that you will be successful.
Let’s be honest, few Sunday morning sermons are ever preached regarding
self-denial and discipline.
On one occasion Jesus’ disciples were frustrated because a little mute boy was
brought to them by a distraught father asking for help. When they were
unsuccessful Jesus said, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and
fasting.” (Mark 9:29) The discipline of “fasting” was introduced not only by word
but by example. Jesus regularly fasted and one occasion spent 40 days in the
wilderness after His baptism in spiritual preparation for His temptation by the
devil himself. (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13) May I suggest that His success
over the temptation was the result of His preparation through prayer and fasting?
Fasting is a fascinating spiritual discipline. It is not required but provided as a
means that yields wonderful spiritual benefits. It can include abstaining from food
or types of food, for periods of time whether days or weeks; denying certain
activities or pleasant habits and some will include entertainment or hobbies.
Fasting is a way to humble you before God as King David did. (Psalm 35:13)
Through fasting the Holy Spirit will reveal your spiritual condition, resulting in
brokenness, repentance and restoration.
Interestingly, Jesus used the word, “kind” when describing the devilish activity
that afflicted the little mute boy. “He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: ‘Deaf
and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!’”
In this passage, “kind” (Gk.”genos”) typically means family or offspring, race or
people, implying that certain entities are more difficult to cast out and require
prayer and fasting.
I am of the opinion that one kind of spirit that is common is deception. It is
common because it works so well. People are easily deceived. And it should not
come as a surprise because the enemy of our soul is named Satan, the Deceiver of
the whole world. (Rev.12:9) Why should he devise new techniques to thwart us
when deception works so well? Jesus said, “…for he is a liar and the father of it.”
(John 8:44) In other words, you can’t believe a word he says!
Here’s the Good News! These are Jesus’ words…
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
“Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father,except through Me.” (John 14:6)
The means we have to overcome the deception of the enemy is the truth of
Jesus; His person, His Word, His Cross, His Resurrection, His Victory over sin.
(…to be continued…)
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