How do you keep the Flesh in Shape, spiritually speaking?
Fasting is one of the quickest ways to get the flesh into submission
If the flesh is arguing with you, insisting on its own way
Your spirit can win, humble that flesh
Bring it under control by denying its lusts and pleasures unto the Lord
Dedicate an amount of time, meals or hours or days,
whatever you and the Lord decide
It could be any or all pleasures
Cut off those things you really enjoy for a time,
as a dedicated amount of time to the Lord
Pray and seek Him and read your bible more than you normally do
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:16
Getting closer to the Lord is one of the most important reasons to fast
As long as you do the fast unto Jesus and not unto men,
He will honor you and bless you and be near to you
since you have drawn near to Him
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
and thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Isaiah 58:6-8
Give it a try
God honors fasts that are done to Him and not to gain the praise of mortals
If it’s a relationship you are struggling with
or trying to gain authority over a sin,
or for financial reasons or about your job or for your health,
seek Jesus for the time and which foods/pleasures you should give up
According to people’s health, we can give up many or most things,
some can do just water for a short time
Whatever you decide to give up is between you and God,
and maybe advice from your doctor if you would like his or her advice
It is important to care for your health, whatever that means for you
After enough time of fasting, anything you give up will demonstrate,
in your will, the sacrifice you are making
Do the fast as secretly as you can
This is not to gain admiration from others but to be noticed by God
Do not sound the trumpet
Anoint thine head and wash thy face
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:17-18
Yes, He shall reward thee openly