Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. –James 1:15
It’s true: my name is Seth, and I am obsessed with Coke. I really love getting a Diet Coke from Q’doba where I can fill it 9/10 of the way and then top it off with Vanilla Coke. Who would have thought that so much joy could be found in such a beverage? And yet my love for it drives me to crave it in an unhealthy way. When I’m drinking Coke on a daily basis and have little ability to abstain from it, then it has moved beyond a desire to an obsession. But Coke isn’t the only unhealthy thing I have a hard time enjoying in moderation: add to that fries and desserts. In my family we ate desserts literally after every meal except breakfast. Sometimes we even had a mid-evening dessert after having had one with dinner.
So after some contemplation I decided that it would be good to fast from these items for 30 days. I’m not going to lie: it has been tough. But it’s much easier to say “no” to all than it is to limit consumption… at least for me. My fast ends this Saturday, and I’m hoping that this discipline in my life will affect other areas, too. Part of the reason we have a hard time giving in to temptation is that we don’t have practice saying “no” to our desires. If we never learn to say “no” to what we want, then we will never have traction in overcoming sin. Choosing to fast from something for a period of time is a great way to regain control over those things in our lives. And another plus is that it has helped me to feel healthier and to be fitter!
Are there temptations you keep giving into? Try fasting for a period of time. Have someone hold you accountable, and see what God does through your practice of discipline!
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