Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Psalms 51:6
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-6
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18
They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:15-16
What do you do that remains a secret to everyone else? Where does it fall in the realm of the flesh or spirit? Your secret place is where you feed your soul. What exactly are you feeding your soul? What do you secretly want to do but restrain yourself from? Is your will strong enough to resist those desires and temptations? Are you able to escape those negative thinking patterns of resentment and hurt?
Our modern life has forgotten many of the spiritual disciplines of old. One that is making a come back is fasting. Not just for the flesh / body but also for the spirit of a person. Fasting is what I call is ‘will honing’. It takes a lot of self-control (fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23) to choose to resist all of the desires and temptations of an agitated body and soul, which is always crying out to be satisfied or placated. Do you want to gain a stronger will? Fast while you are seeking the Holy Spirit’s instructions for your life. Make Him your soul focus. Begin small and work yourself to bigger periods of time, all the while intently listening to His advice and instructions. Make fasting a regular discipline in your life. Why? It is good for all aspects of your being; spirit, soul, and body.
Make fasting something you do in secret – as much as possible. Obviously, those in your household will know, but everyone else you have contact with doesn’t need to know. Learn to seek Him in your secret place. Learn how to work and go about your regular life all the while fasting. Every time your body / stomach rumbles use it as a ‘sign’ to pray. Every time another emotional desire pops up – use it as a ‘sign’ to pray. Every struggle you encounter – use it as a ‘sign’ to pray. Make your discomfort from fasting an ‘encouragement’ to press into the Holy Spirit even more! Learn to look forward to being in your secret place with Him!
Develop that relationship with the Holy Spirit! Ask Him to show you how.