Mata la Carne P.1 | IGLECO 127 | Pr. Alba Romick | 04 Enero 2026

Ayuno y Control de la Carne

Introducción al Ayuno

• El orador menciona un comercial que simboliza el desperdicio, introduciendo el tema del ayuno como una práctica espiritual importante.

• Se establece que enero es un mes propicio para el ayuno y la oración, sugiriendo que es un buen momento para reflexionar sobre estas prácticas.

Importancia del Ayuno

• Se discute por qué ayunamos y se enfatiza que no es obligatorio, pero sí beneficioso para nuestra vida espiritual.

• La lectura de Romanos 8:13 resalta la necesidad de vivir en el espíritu y controlar los deseos carnales.

Controlando la Carne

• El orador plantea preguntas sobre la falta de victoria en la vida espiritual a pesar de las prácticas religiosas como oración y estudio bíblico.

• Utiliza una analogía con tuberías obstruidas para ilustrar cómo los problemas internos (deseos carnales) pueden bloquear el fluir del Espíritu Santo en nuestras vidas.

Disciplina Espiritual

• Se menciona que muchos creyentes practican disciplinas espirituales comunes, pero solo un pequeño porcentaje se dedica a disciplinas que debilitan la carne, como el ayuno.

• La frustración entre los creyentes puede deberse a no controlar adecuadamente sus deseos carnales, lo cual impide obtener resultados deseados en su vida espiritual.

Estrategias para Debilitar la Carne

• Se propone que fortalecer el espíritu implica también "matar" o debilitar los deseos carnales; esto es esencial para avanzar en las cosas de Dios.

• La idea central es que cada persona es un templo del Espíritu Santo y debe aprender a manejar su carne sin dejarla tomar decisiones dominantes en su vida diaria.

The Power of Fasting and Self-Denial

The Importance of Denying the Flesh

• The speaker emphasizes that to possess the power akin to Samson's, one must not allow "Dalila" (representing temptation or sin) to control their life. It is crucial to put the flesh under control rather than domesticate it.

• The analogy of keeping wild animals as pets illustrates that no matter how well-behaved they seem, their true nature will eventually emerge. This reflects the idea that one cannot simply tame sinful desires; they must be eliminated.

• The act of fasting reveals who truly governs our lives. During fasting, individuals often realize how much their flesh controls them, highlighting a struggle against cravings and comforts.

Fasting as a Spiritual Tool

• Fasting serves as a tool for spiritual growth by weakening the voice of the flesh. When physical needs are denied, it allows for greater clarity in hearing God's voice.

• By denying physical comforts and pleasures during fasting, believers can weaken their carnal desires. This process helps in gaining self-control over various aspects of life.

Recognizing Control in Our Lives

• Many people may not recognize what controls them until they engage in fasting. It brings awareness to dependencies on food, social media, or other distractions that hinder spiritual growth.

• Isaiah 58:6 is referenced to illustrate that true fasting involves breaking free from oppression and bondage—anything that prevents one from fulfilling God's plan.

The Nature and Purpose of Fasting

• Fasting is described as abstaining from food but also has profound spiritual implications—it breaks yokes and liberates individuals spiritually.

• John Wesley's quote highlights fasting as an essential step towards self-denial. If one struggles with basic denials like food, overcoming deeper issues becomes even more challenging.

Jesus' Example of Fasting

• Jesus fasted for 40 days before starting His ministry, demonstrating its importance in preparing oneself spiritually to face temptations effectively.

• During His temptation by Satan (Matthew 4), Jesus relied on Scripture instead of succumbing to physical hunger—showing strength derived from being filled with God’s word.

Overcoming Temptation Through Discipline

• Jesus consistently responded to temptations with "It is written," emphasizing reliance on divine truth rather than yielding to immediate desires or pressures.

• The speaker warns against allowing knowledge without discipline to lead to spiritual stagnation; true freedom comes through both understanding and practicing self-control over one's body and desires.

The Importance of Fasting in Seeking God

Understanding the Purpose of Fasting

• Fasting enhances prayer and the pursuit of God, serving as a discipline that helps individuals seek a deeper relationship with Him.

• While food is commonly associated with fasting, it can also include abstaining from social media and other distractions to dedicate time to God.

• The act of fasting allows for better listening to God's voice, especially when one is preoccupied with worldly concerns.

Biblical Insights on Fasting

• Matthew 6:16-18 emphasizes that fasting should be done discreetly, without showing signs of suffering or seeking recognition from others.

• The scripture advises maintaining a clean appearance during fasting to focus on one's relationship with God rather than public perception.

Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

• Fasting reveals who truly governs one's life; it is not about suffering but about spiritual growth and connection with God.

• Engaging in prayer and reading the Word during fasting strengthens one's spirit and prepares them for ministry opportunities.

Historical Context and Practices

• In early church practices, fasting was coupled with prayer for revelation and sensitivity to God's guidance (Acts 13).

• The focus should be on pleasing God rather than seeking approval from others; true rewards come from Him.

Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation through Fasting

• Prayer acts as the driving force behind spiritual progress; however, limited prayer can hinder advancement in faith.

• When feeling stagnant in spiritual growth, fasting can help identify obstacles preventing movement towards God's purpose.

• Fasting does not create movement but removes hindrances, allowing believers to function as designed by God.

The Purpose and Power of Fasting

Understanding the Role of Fasting

• Fasting does not add power to one's spirit but rather removes burdens, allowing individuals to run their race with patience by shedding weights that hinder spiritual progress.

• The primary goal of fasting is not weight loss or a diet; instead, it aims to draw closer to God and enhance focus on Him.

• Fasting for the wrong reasons can lead to pride; it should not be an act of religiosity but a sincere effort to connect with God.

Biblical Foundations of Fasting

• Joel 2:12 emphasizes returning to God with genuine hearts through fasting, mourning, and repentance rather than mere outward expressions.

• The urgency in seeking God is highlighted; there may be limited time for such actions, stressing the importance of immediate commitment.

Misconceptions About Fasting

• It is clarified that fasting does not manipulate God's will or prompt Him to respond; rather, it serves as a means for personal transformation and alignment with God's purpose.

• True fasting aligns one's heart with God's will without attempting to change His established plans.

The Transformative Effects of Fasting

• A proper fast fosters a deeper relationship with God, moving beyond rituals towards genuine connection and understanding His presence in life.

• Acts 13:2 illustrates how prayerful fasting can lead to divine guidance and clarity regarding one’s calling or ministry work.

Sensitivity Through Fasting

• Engaging in fasting enhances sensitivity to God's voice, making individuals more receptive during prayer and scripture reading.

• Participants express newfound clarity after periods of fasting, indicating that they feel closer to God and better understand His plans for them.

Commitment in Obedience

• Fasting signifies a desire for obedience over personal impulses; it encourages prioritizing God's voice above worldly distractions.

• The speaker emphasizes the need for rapid obedience to God’s call compared to succumbing quickly to fleshly desires.

Outcomes of Effective Fasting

• The practice produces qualities like sensitivity, humility, discernment, and direction as individuals become less burdened by distractions from their spiritual journey.

• During times of fasting, understanding scripture becomes clearer as participants gain insights into what God has been communicating all along.

Understanding Fasting and Its Spiritual Significance

The Concept of Fasting

• Fasting involves abstaining from certain foods or pleasures, which can include skipping meals. It is not merely about hunger but engaging in prayer during this time.

Purpose of Fasting

• The essence of fasting is to seek God rather than just endure hunger. It may involve temporarily renouncing something that dominates our attention, such as social media or streaming services.

Control Over the Flesh

• Emphasizing self-control, it’s important to teach the flesh who governs by asserting spiritual authority over physical desires. This aligns with the idea that one's spirit should lead rather than be led by bodily cravings.

Spiritual Discipline and Growth

• Fasting serves as a discipline to clear blockages in spiritual flow, allowing for a stronger connection with the Holy Spirit. It prepares individuals to resist temptations more effectively.

The Power of Prayer and Connection

• Engaging in fasting enhances sensitivity to God's voice and leads to revelations previously sought after through prayer. This connection allows believers to experience God's power more profoundly.

Running Towards God's Purpose

Acceleration Through Fasting

• Fasting acts as a key tool that accelerates spiritual disciplines, aligning hearts with God’s will and enabling believers to fulfill their divine purpose without distractions.

Training for Spiritual Competence

• Drawing parallels between athletic training and spiritual preparation, it emphasizes the necessity of discipline in achieving goals—spiritually training oneself through practices like fasting and prayer.

Avoiding Disqualification

• Citing 1 Corinthians 9:27, it warns against failing to prepare spiritually; neglecting training could lead one to be disqualified from fulfilling their calling after guiding others.

Practical Application of Faith

• Encouragement is given for practical application of learned principles—practicing mercy, embodying fruits of the Spirit, and actively engaging in spiritual growth through consistent effort.

Commitment for Greater Impact

• A call is made for believers to present themselves as useful vessels for God’s work in 2026, shedding burdens that hinder progress towards fulfilling His calling effectively.

The Importance of Letting Go for Spiritual Growth

Removing Obstacles to Fulfill God's Will

• The speaker emphasizes the need to remove negative aspects from our lives, such as depression and selfishness, to allow God to fill us with better things.

• It is highlighted that our primary purpose is to fulfill God's perfect will, which requires shedding burdens that hinder our spiritual journey.

• The analogy of running with weights illustrates how sin and distractions can impede our ability to pursue God's calling effectively.

Embracing Fasting as a Tool for Spiritual Clarity

• To run the race God has set before us, we must eliminate sins and burdens through submission to the Holy Spirit; fasting plays a crucial role in this process.

• Fasting helps remove spiritual weights that prevent us from fulfilling our divine purpose, inviting participants to reflect on what they need to let go of this year.

A Call for Transformation and Commitment

• The speaker encourages individuals to identify and release harmful attachments or habits that have been nurtured over time, likening them to "cobras" in the heart.

• A commitment is made towards walking in love, forgiveness, and advancing in God's will by removing obstacles that hinder spiritual progress.

Prioritizing Time with God Over Worldly Distractions

• By dedicating time and thoughts toward God, individuals will find that previously valued distractions lose their significance as God replaces them with something better.

• The importance of collective fasting and prayer within the church community is emphasized while also encouraging personal practices throughout the year.

Identifying Relationships That Hinder Spiritual Growth

• Participants are urged to evaluate friendships or activities that detract from their relationship with God; unhealthy relationships can lead one away from spiritual commitments.

• Both young people and adults are reminded that if their associations do not promote faith or growth in Christ, it may be necessary to distance themselves for spiritual health.

Prayer for Guidance and Strength

Seeking Spiritual Empowerment

• The speaker calls upon God to open the river of the Holy Spirit within them, asking for divine power to flow in their lives during a time of fasting and prayer.

• A plea is made for the removal of distractions that hinder spiritual growth, emphasizing reliance on God's faithfulness rather than personal prudence.

Trusting in God's Promises

• The speaker expresses confidence in 2026, highlighting trust in God and His word as a guide for understanding past, present, and future circumstances.

• A declaration is made about spiritual governance over fleshly desires, affirming that greater strength resides within them through faith.