Sexual Fasting

# 272 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:18 “The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting.”

Fasting is a beneficial spiritual tool that God has given to His people. We read of an unusual kind of fasting in 1 Corinthians 7:5, “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Here Paul is suggesting a consensual withholding of sexual activity so husband and wife may devote themselves more fully to fasting and prayer. As Daniel gave up pleasurable food, here we have a call to give up pleasurable activity for the purpose of seeking God’s face.

Marriage brings with it the potential for much spiritual and emotional strain. God loves marriage, but the devil hates it and he will do everything in his power to separate man and wife.

Why not prepare yourself for any and all such attacks of the enemy against your marriage by practicing this spiritual discipline BEFORE they occur. Consensual sexual fasting invites the greatest Counselor of all, (the Holy Spirit) into your particular situation. As you each practice self-denial in the physical realm, you give Him more room to operate in the spiritual realm.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.