One of the most common refrains we often hear in the church is “We just need to get hungry for God?” While almost all of us would agree we need to do this, it is often easier said than done so in this article I want to try to give some practical advice about how to get hungry for God.
The first step in generating increased hunger for God is asking the Holy Spirit for help. We must learn to recognize we cannot generate our own hunger. We need from God Himself to get hungry for God. Look at Romans 8:
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
This passage reveals two important spiritual laws that are in existence right now. The first is the law of sin and death and the second is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. The way we overcome the law of gravity is by applying a greater law, the law of aerodynamics. The law of aerodynamics is like the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. It is greater than the law of sin and death. This means when we cry out to the Holy Spirit in prayer, He will give us an ability do things we cannot do in our natural strength. Let me be clear, it takes God to generate hunger for God. We cannot do this in our own strength.
The second step to increase hunger for God in our lives is to feed on the things of God. That may sound hard to do if you aren’t currently hungry, but here is why you must do it no matter how you feel. We get hungry regularly when we eat regularly. Think about it, people who go on extended fasts often lose their appetite after a while. Once they decide to break the fast they have to intentionally force themself to eat to develop and appetite again.
The same is true about the things of God. Sometimes we can get so busy with the cares of this life that we stop feeding on the things of God and lose our hunger. When this happens, we need to ask the Holy Spirit for help and then be intentional to read our Bible, go to church, listen to messages on YouTube, etc. It may feel like force-feeding for a while, but as we are faithful to do this, God will generate an appetite for Him within us. The big idea is don’t wait until you feel hungry to feed. Feed and then you’ll eventually feel hungry.
The third and final step I’d recommend is to fast. When we fast we deny our flesh and teach our natural body that the Holy Spirit inside us is in charge. This is hard on our flesh. When you first start fasting it may feel like you are going to die if you don’t eat, get on social media, or watch TV. If it feels that way, that is awesome because it means the fast is working. Flesh is being pulled to the surface. When this happens, take your struggle to the Lord in prayer and the Holy Spirit will help you overcome.
Fasting is powerful because it is the equivalent of withdrawing from junk food metaphorically. When we withdraw from junk food, we will eventually look for something to fill us and when we make good choices with healthy foods we will be full. As we make these choices consistently over a period of time we will eventually crave the healthy food we used to not desire. Fasting will increase your desire for God. If you’d like to learn more about fasting, check out this article.
I hope this article has been a help about how to get hungry for the things of God. I’m praying that God God will ignite a hunger in you for Him and His kingdom that will never be satisfied except by experiencing time in His word and His presence!
