Day 10

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." - Matthew 6:16

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face," - Matthew 6:17

There are a number of passages of Scripture that speak concerning "fasting". Typically they all speak about going without food. None of them refer to going without any media. Hmmmmm Interesting. In the Scriptures "fasting" was always means of self-sacrifice for THE GLORY OF GOD! Now I know that there are probably a lot of us out there that it would be very healthy for us to skip a meal or two and to go without snacks for a week or so. But "good health" was not the reason God created "fasting". Jesus did not "fast" for 40 days just to prove He could do it or to lose some unflattering pounds. So doing a 30-day Media Fast, although probably a good thing spiritually - no "R" rated movies, no gratuitous sexually explicit TV shows, no authority-questioning tunes, etc. - it should not primarily be for our own spiritual well-being. No question we will be much better off, spiritually, by always avoiding the subtle impact of the world's seductions in the media. But I encourage you "Don't make your OWN spiritual benefit your PRIMARY PURPOSE to do this Media Fast. Give some prayerful thought to 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Therefore, whether, you eat or drink. or whatever you do, do ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD." My prayer for each of you that continue faithful in this Media Fast is that God will receive ALL the Honor and Glory. God Bless!

-Russ Matzke