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Day 18 - Excess or Sacrifice

Pastor Anna Brooks

Philippians 3:18-19





We are living in a world that has our emotions running all over the place. Did you know that your emotions are felt in your gut? The scriptures says, “whose god is their belly.” We live amid excess. Each hour a test of your resolve against overindulgence is set before you. Are we passing or failing these tests? Maybe your intentions are in the right place. But when you allow your emotions to rule, you have put your faith on the back burner. Paul was dealing with false teachers. But this can also be applied to us as well. These false teachers allowed their insatiable stomachs which represents their physical desires to rule over their desire to worship God whole heartedly. They made their desires to over-indulge in the things of this world to become more important than their relationship with God.


Self-Control is a fruit of the Spirit which is a proof that we belong to God. Many believers don’t mind praying, but when it comes to sacrificing we greatly struggle with our flesh (worldly desires). How often does checking Facebook triumph over your time in the Word? How often does the television speak more in a day than the members of your household? How often do you find yourself, reaching for a snack either out of habit or in response to an emotion like sadness or boredom? Do not think these are minor problems. This could be a signal that you worship your own stomach (desires) more than you worship our great God. The fight for self-control is a major fight that if left unchecked will rob you of faith.


If you are struggling with feelings of sadness, anger, nervousness, or fear, then fasting and prayer will benefit. Paul admonishes believers in Philippians 3:14 to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” If we allow our bellies to be our god we are making a stand against Christ’s loving sacrifice. We have been called to a lifestyle of self-denial to follow Christ: “whoever wants to be my disciples, must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34- 35). A person whose god is their belly is not living for Christ, but for self only.


True believers set their minds on heavenly things and live for God. True believers, desires and priorities are in alignment with God. Believers are citizens of heaven and only God can fully satisfy their hearts desires: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!” This God who is the Bread of Life will satisfy our insatiable stomach (appetites). There is one true God. He is not our bellies. Fasting and praying allows our faith to rule over our flesh and allows us to stay in the will of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Allow fasting and prayer to be your spiritual exercise of faith. Jesus satisfies completely.

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