ENEMIES OF FASTED LIFESTYLE
A. Elitism
1. A raging monster that is restrained with great difficulty.
B. Legalism
1. Coping with falling short of standards
2. Discipline motivated by fear of rejection
C. Exhibition
1. Ever present tendency to draw attention to self via manifestations (especially in ministry style)
2. People are desperate to appear especially close to Jesus – they will allow many types of manifestations to give this
impression
a. Both Jesus and John the Baptist speak total truth while purposefully leaving out aspects of the whole story. John
knows the Gabriel prophesied over his life that he would operate in the spirit of Elijah. John is being humble not
wanting to associate himself with the great Elijah.
b. Most people are comfortable with leaving false impressions about their spiritually and ministry. They desperately
want others to believe more then what is actually true.
Imagine, it is God that is calling John “Elijah” and yet John does not push the point before men knowing that the fullness of
Elijah was not to be on him. John uses that as a way to escape a rightful association with Elijah that belongs only to the
end of the age. What amazing security in God, this was the power of his humility. He doesn’t take any opportunity to tap
into that role.
D. Isolationism
1. Pressing in without regard for others, nor for realization that we walk in Bridal partnership. The dance of the Great
Commission is a main focus – Matthew 11:17
2. IOW—anti-servanthood, anti-social, anti-local church, anticompassion
3. Premise—fasted lifestyle for second commandment verses self only
4. Some of the monastic movement focused on being free from defilement as their main goal and end in itself. Thus, they saw
involvement with others as being exposed to potential defilement.
a. We sees the pursuit of the First Commandment first as the main focus. Thus, we come into contact with God's fire
of love that drives us into the Great Commission with abandonment
E. Religious mysticism (beyond boundaries of logos in our ideas and doctrines.)
1. Mis-stewarding sacred embrace = working vs. receiving
2. Attention getting vs. jealous for Jesus’ supremacy
3. Confusion caused to the new ones.
4. Can make others feel lesser.
5. Becomes a trap where people can begin to measure their level of anointing on others manifestations
6. When a person starts measuring their “revelation” or “anointing” on others manifestations you can fall into much
deception as you think something is hot that isn’t based in truth, and vise versa.
7. The appearance of mystery by giving fleshly hints yet withholding the details with motives of self-promotion.
F. The sixth enemy is inappropriate associations with earthly sensuality.
G. The seventh enemy is irresponsibly lives in the name of seeking Jesus.