I believe that the current economic difficulties are rooted in a basic problem that shows up throughout our American culture – an inability to say “No,” to ourselves. We think we are entitled to bigger, better, more, and much! For decades we have spent money we didn’t have – both as individuals and as a nation. We wanted bigger homes so we found ways to ‘afford’ them with so-called ‘creative’ mortgages that too many found they could not pay when those first two years of low interest terms changed. Our political leaders wanted to provide ever more government benefits but lacked the courage to vote the taxes to pay for them. Greed and need became so tangled up, nobody could tell the difference. For the most part, we are where we are because we consume too much.

This has a spiritual effect in our lives. Because we are so accustomed to saying, “yes” to ourselves, we have little tolerance for inconvenience or difficulty that often accompanies knowing and doing God’s will. In order to please God by saying, “yes” to Him, we will have to learn to say, “no” to our self will and our craving for pleasure. We cannot have it all; choices must be made.

True discipleship, that comes with a call to self-denial, is a tough sell in America today. We want the security of a close relationship with God, but we do not want to live the holy life that makes knowing Him intimately possible!So often people tell me that they want to know God, to raise their kids to love Him, and I think they are sincere. But when they are confronted with the way of the Cross, they turn away; looking for a way to hang onto their own will while still claiming to be a follower of Christ. In truth, such a response is not new nor is it unique to our time. The rich young nobleman who came to Jesus seeking eternal life was met with the challenge to go and sell his possessions before he became a disciple. The Bible says, “He went away sorrowful!” In another passage, Jesus told the crowds that loved his miracles and being around him that choices needed to be made about what and whom they loved. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:66, NIV)

Modern Christians have nearly universally discarded the spiritual discipline of Fasting. I am not just talking about refraining from eating food, which is a very narrow understanding of the discipline. Fasting is the discipline of saying “No,” to our appetites- for food, for sex, for pleasure, for comfort- in order that we might say, “Yes,” to God. Many insist that fasting is just legalism:, too rule-bound, too focused on religious acts. It can be. Like any discipline, fasting can be turned into a show of ‘spirituality.’ Some people crave this kind of comment- “Wow, he’s so spiritual.” Others think that fasting a day a week proves to God how much they love Him or gives them some kind of leverage in their prayers. “Look, God, I will go hungry for a full 24 hours every week.” Or, “Lord, I’ve given up TV for a month.” He doesn’t care!

Fasting isn’t for others and it’s not for God, it’s for us. When we say no to our appetites, we learn that depriving ourselves of food, pleasure, or creature comfort is not fatal. Fasting helps us to more readily say a joyful ‘yes’ to God! Because fasting a discipline that is primarily for ourselves, Jesus told us to keep it private! He said, “when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18, NLT) Note, His words were not, “If you fast,” but rather, “when you fast.” We desperately need this discipline today.

When we learn to say ‘no’ to ourselves, initially it may feel terrible and cause pain, but in reality we are gaining freedom! A person who grasps that he can live without that candy bar, is free to live in a more healthy way. A person who has learned to say ‘no’ to his cravings and lusts, has gained the freedom to embrace the will of God joyfully.

Here’s a word from the Word to take with you today —
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, andto live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this presentage, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of ourgreat God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11-13, NIV)