Redirecting Our Appetites - Fernridge Faith Center

Hunger and Thirst – Redirecting Our Appetites

Genesis 25:29–34 “Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (This is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.”

First thing in this passage – Esau is a man ruled by his appetite

In other words Esau said “my present appetite matters more than my future blessings”

In Abrahamic culture, the birthright was not just inheritance:

It was identity
It was leadership
It was spiritual responsibility
It was God’s promised blessing.

For us to realize – There is a danger for having an unrestrained appetite

Fasting – Is God’s gift to redirecting our appetites

1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but I will not be mastered by anything”

Fasting helps us reorder our loves

Physical Benefits:

Improved insulin sensitivity – Fasting helps the body regulate blood sugar more effectively.
Cellular repair (autophagy) – After 12–16 hours without food, the body begins cleaning out damaged cells.
Reduced inflammation – Many people experience clearer thinking and reduced joint pain.
Improved heart health – Fasting can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Mental clarity – Many report sharper focus and emotional steadiness.
Reboots our tastebuds – After 24 hours of fasting our cravings start to go away