Yesterday, we considered the need to fast often in order to maintain the Spirit’s control over the desires of our body. Today, let us consider another reason why we need to fast often, which is, to submit ourselves to God in humility (James 4:6-7). David had this understanding and that was why in Psalm 35:13 he said,
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”

Whenever you find yourself becoming haughty, too full of yourself or looking down on others, you need to declare a fast so as to subdue the rise of pride in your life. Those who live in pride are distant from God. Even when He makes an attempt to reach such people, it will be very difficult because they have built a fence of pride around themselves. One major reason why some people don’t accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, even after witnessing His power and miracles, is pride. Those worst hit by this attitude tend to be learned, enlightened and widely travelled people. This is why you need to pray against the spirit of pride hindering the salvation of your loved ones.

Let us take a look at the life of Saul of Tarsus and learn some lessons from him. He was a very zealous and intelligent young man who wanted to please God, but he was proud. Meanwhile, God had been trying to reach out to him, but the fence of pride he had around him kept God out. Do you know that pride directs? If you are proud, it will direct you in the way you go about things, in what you do and what you don’t do. Whenever faith is combined with pride, at best, you will get religion. As Saul tried to serve and please God in the atmosphere of pride, he drifted further away from the One he thought he was pleasing, to the point where he began to fight the One he was supposed to satisfy. Pride blindfolds its victims. It makes a person work against what he or she originally set out to do or stand up for. It wasn’t until Jesus manifested Himself to Saul that he realised he had been working against the God he thought he was serving. Nevertheless, after he humbled himself with fasting and prayer for three days, he received salvation, healing of his blind eyes, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a divine call of God to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. If only you can submit yourself to God in humility through prayer and fasting, you can connect with God’s purpose for your life.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Amen 2 million times over!!!
So very, very true!

Saul never broke the Pride Barrier.

He never humbled himself to accept the ONE TRUE Gospel, but invented one of his own- as if he had never heard of "DECEIVING SPIRITS" before!

oaroloye:
Saul never broke the Pride Barrier.

He never humbled himself to accept the ONE TRUE Gospel, but invented one of his own- as if he had never heard of "DECEIVING SPIRITS" before!

The OP is speaking about "Saul of Tarsus".
Now, ummm, my brother, what are you speaking about

MZLady39:

The OP is speaking about "Saul of Tarsus". Now, ummm, my brother, what are you speaking about

He knows the 'Saul'... lemme seat back for his reply.

sonofthunder:

He knows the 'Saul'... lemme seat back for his reply.

Oh ok......

Pride is what has been eating us all up. It is the greatest sin despised by God, if I'm right.

Thank you OP

MZLady39:

The OP is speaking about "Saul of Tarsus". Now, ummm, my brother, what are you speaking about

Pls MZLady39, do yourself a huge favour, do not respond to that person

bennyann:
Pride is what has been eating us all up. It is the greatest sin despised by God, if I'm right.

Thank you OP

Pride is a Tree (The stronghold) which bears these fruits:
Anger, Arrogance, Hatred, Malice, envy, uncleanness( sexual perversions),wrath, sedition, Unforgiveness, Revenge, Stealing, Quarrelling, adultery, fornication,murder, fighting, rebellion, self conceitedness, Over confidence, Haughtiness, disobedience, indiscipline, Strife, rivalry, impatience, stubbornness, disrespect, dishonesty, obscenities, lying, low self esteem. Narcissism, idolatry, Lust, Covetousness, and many more.

Love is the Opposite of Pride.

Love is also a tree which bears the following fruits;
Joy, Peace,self control, gentleness, goodness, humility, faith, meekness, temperance.

Anyone who has crucified the flesh wont find the fruits of pride working and "Prevailing" in them.

Like the Op said, when you notice that the adversary is taking advantage of your carelessness maybe by reason of your environment at the time or association, you shd withdraw, declare a fast fumigate/cleanse your soul off these radicals.

Thanks Op.

analice107:

Pride is a Tree (The stronghold) which bears these fruits:
Anger, Arrogance, Hatred, Malice, envy, uncleanness( sexual perversions),wrath, sedition, Unforgiveness, Revenge, Stealing, Quarrelling, adultery, fornication,murder, fighting, rebellion, self conceitedness, Over confidence, Haughtiness, disobedience, indiscipline, Strife, rivalry, impatience, stubbornness, disrespect, dishonesty, obscenities, lying, low self esteem. Narcissism, idolatry, Lust, Covetousness, and many more.

Love is the Opposite of Pride.

Love is also a tree which bears the following fruits;
Joy, Peace,self control, gentleness, goodness, humility, faith, meekness, temperance.

Anyone who has crucified the flesh wont find the fruits of pride working and "Prevailing" in them.

Like the Op said, when you notice that the adversary is taking advantage of your carelessness maybe by reason of your environment at the time or association, you shd withdraw, declare a fast fumigate/cleanse your soul off these radicals.

Thanks Op.

I've never been so conscious of the bolded than now. Thanks sis.

oaroloye:
Saul never broke the Pride Barrier.

He never humbled himself to accept the ONE TRUE Gospel, but invented one of his own- as if he had never heard of "DECEIVING SPIRITS" before!

Dear,

Are you part of those that don't call themselves Christians because they were named that by unbelievers?

I'm just trying to figure out why you have a problem with Apostle Paul? And this is someone who has won his race already..

bennyann:


I've never been so conscious of the bolded than now. Thanks sis.

Happy Sunday my sister in the lord

bennyann:


Dear,

Are you part of those that don't call themselves Christians because they were named that by unbelievers?

I'm just trying to figure out why you have a problem with Apostle Paul? And this is someone who has won his race already..

Paul to me really save Christianity. In fact minus Paul, Christianity would long be ago.

onyenze123:


Paul to me really save Christianity. In fact minus Paul, Christianity would long be ago.

So you noticed! Hmmmm
Tell that to oga oar....

onyenze123:


Happy Sunday my sister in the lord

Your sister in which lord? I beg ooo

bennyann:

I've never been so conscious of the bolded than now. Thanks sis.

UWC sis.

bennyann:


Dear,

Are you part of those that don't call themselves Christians because they were named that by unbelievers?

I'm just trying to figure out why you have a problem with Apostle Paul? And this is someone who has won his race already..

Satan hates Apostle Paul for breaking the ranks and changing sides.

Anyone who calls his or herself a Christian but hates Paul, is not a Christian.

They all belong to Rebecca Browns group of fake Christians.

bennyann:

Your sister in which lord? I beg ooo

hahahahahahahaha, O dear, i almost choked on my Yam.
I saw it too, i was confused.

bennyann:


Your sister in which lord? I beg ooo

Our lord Jesus Christ Na. I will convert back to Christianity because of you or don't you want to win souls for Christ?

onyenze123:



Our lord Jesus Christ Na. I will convert back to Christianity because of you or don't you want to win souls for Christ?

Bribery and corruption

To be in Christ, all your heart is needed. no divided attention.

analice107:

hahahahahahahaha, O dear, i almost choked on my Yam.

I saw it too, i was confused.

Sis, I don't think you were the one confused oo

analice107:

Satan hates Apostle Paul for breaking the ranks and changing sides.

Anyone who calls his or herself a Christian but hates Paul, is not a Christian.

They all belong to Rebecca Browns group of fake Christians.

Hmmmmm

bennyann:
Sis, I don't think you were the one confused oo

I was confused as to when he became a Christian.

bennyann:


Bribery and corruption

To be in Christ, all your heart is needed. no divided
attention.

my babe, I accept Christ as my personal lord and savior. pls minister to me.

I need help..

onyenze123:


my babe, I accept Christ as my personal lord and savior. pls minister to me.

I need help..

Na so

It's high time you stopped pulling my legs oo

If it's true concentrate fully on Christ, not by force ooo but because you love Him..... Love Him first, put that love of God in practice, let it come from the inside out and leave the rest to God.

I hope you're fine dear? Sorry I replied your joke late

bennyann:


Na so

It's high time you stopped pulling my legs oo

If it's true concentrate fully on Christ, not by force ooo but because you love Him..... Love Him first, put that love of God in practice, let it come from the inside out and leave the rest to God.

I hope you're fine dear? Sorry I replied your joke late

I hope you're fine dear? Sorry I replied your joke late

Which church do you attend?

onyenze123:





Which church do you attend?

Why should I tell you?

bennyann:


Why should I tell you?

Because attending church is important for a Christian and since you comments on Nairaland are christ-like (unlike other Christians here) I would like to attend the church you attend. I need sane preaching and true followship

Paul was a self-servicer and Christianity is a heap of lies and superstition.

onyenze123:


Because attending church is important for a Christian and since you comments on Nairaland are christ-like (unlike other Christians here) I would like to attend the church you attend. I need sane preaching and true followship

Bribery and corruption again.

If I tell you mine you will go mute.

Besides I'm not a product of a church but a product of a God fearing mother and my personal decisions and principles with the help and protection of God almighty... If all that make sense to you, grab it

bennyann:


Bribery and corruption again.

If I tell you mine you will go mute.

Besides I'm not a product of a church but a product of a God fearing mother and my personal decisions and principles with the help and protection of God almighty... If all that make sense to you, grab it

chai

This lady no gree me lord, let thy will be done