Fasting

Intro:

Next week we will be launching into a study on the book of James where we will be looking at several key areas of the Christian life, and how to live well. As I sought the Lord this past week for todays message the Lord instructed me to teach you about fasting.

Fasting might sound sensational today, but in Jesus’ culture, it was weird for a religious person not to fast. Biblical fasting is not a hunger strike between you and God. It can be easy to think of fasting as a way to add an extra oomph to your prayers, but biblical fasting isn’t so much about how God responds to your prayers: it’s about how much you bring your prayers to Him.

Fasting is more about abstaining from food for spiritual reasons. A few important things to understand about fasting.

Food is not evil, nor it is sin.

Gluttony is evil, and is a form of lust because it is unbridled and uncontrolled eating. Basically the flesh is in control. Food is intended to fuel our body not be the source of our fulfillment.

1 Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Fasting is not about starving yourself to look more Holy. It is a spiritual discipline that God has chosen to help us humble ourselves before Him. 1 Peter 5:5. Matthew 4:4.

We bring to our rememberance the words of Jesus in Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””

God is the ultimate source of our life in every way. Fasting helps us renew that understanding.

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Submit:

So as we jump into the message lets establish a baseline for fasting.

What does biblical fasting accomplish?

Fasting is a means of humbling ourselves before God. Psalm 35:13.

King David said in Psalm 35:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.”

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance and a transformed life. When we fast we spend focused time in the word of God. That focused time allows the word to illuminate what is inside of us. Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Fasting strengthens your faith in God and gives you spiritual confidence leaving you feeling mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. Isaiah 58:6

““Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”

Fasting renews our connection with God. When we fast we get our hunger back for the presence of God. John Piper made this statement about fasting, “The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.

Fasting empowers us to fulfill God’s calling on our lives.

Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness fasted for 40 days. He was successful in defeating the temptations of the enemy. Matthew 4:2 “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

Anna a widow of 84 years served the Lord in the temple through prayer and fasting. Luke 2:37 “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”

Cornelius prayed and fasted four days and received a visitation from the Lord. Acts 10:30 “So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

Prophets and Teachers in the NT served and fasted and the Holy Spirit spoke to give direction. Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

Fasting helps us defeat the flesh. This is why most of the battle during fasting is mental not physical. Their is much warfare in the mind during times of fasting. The goal of the enemy is compromise.

Fasting helps us defeat the devil. In Matthew 17:21 a man brings His son to the disciples to cast out a demon, and they could not do it. Jesus tells them the key to overcoming this demon is prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:21 “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.””

Fasting helps us overcome the calamities of life.

Esther fasted when faced with danger. Esther 4:16 ““Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!””

Ezra fasted for protection. Ezra 8:23 “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.”

Jehoshaphat fasted during an invasion by the armies of the canaanites and Syrians. 2 Chronicles 20:3 “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

Fasting is an important tool for the believer. It positions us for great encounter with the Lord.

The challenge we face is that we want to have kingdom impact while simultaneously surrounded with unlimited distractions in our everyday environments.

From the problems of everyday life, social media, technology, busy schedules, work, etc. it is easy for what is most important to get crowded out.

Jesus made it clear that when He left His disciples would continue to fast. Mark 2:20 “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

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Apply:

Now that we understand what fasting does, the real question is how do we actually fast and what does it look like to fast biblically?

*As we jump into this part I want to give you sound instruction. It is important to ask the Lord what type of fast He wants you to do.

There are a few different types of fasting.

One I would only do at the express direction of the Lord and you are in good health. Remember that fasting is not about is not about pride or outward proving to others. It has about your connection to and relationship with God.

1. AN ABSOLUTE FAST (NO FOOD AND NO WATER) There are a few examples of this in the scripture.

Moses went on a dry fast (it was supernatural). Don’t try this at home! So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

The city of Nineveh fasted for 3 days. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. (Jonah 3:7)

Paul went on a 3 day dry fast. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:9)

Caution: This should not be undertaken for over 3 days, and it should only be done if you have a clear directive from the Lord and are in good health.

2. A NORMAL FAST (NO FOOD, WATER ONLY) . . .being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. (Luke 4:2)

3. A PARTIAL FAST (ABSTAINING FROM CERTAIN FOODS) I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Daniel 10:3)

A partial fast could mean abstaining from meals on a set day

Abstaining from certain kinds of foods. This is commonly referred to as the Daniel fast (no meat, no sweets, no dairy. Soup only, fruit and vegetables only).

4. A NON-FOOD FAST (ABSTAINING FROM OTHER THINGS) For those with a medical condition, the non-food fast is the safest way to practice this spiritual discipline. Such as TV, Entertainment, Social Media, or certain types of activities that have typical higher importance and require more time.

Something important to know about fasting is that the fast is typically done between the individual and the Lord. It is a time for personal pursuit, but there are times when there is what we would call corporate fasting. These are times when spiritual leaders call people to fast.

These can happen during times of specific need to seek the Lord. There are examples throughout the bible of these fast.

Samuel called a nation to a fast (1 Samuel 7:6). (a time of war) Esther called a nation to a fast (Esther 4:16).( a time of great distress) Ezra proclaimed a fast (Ezra 8:21–23). (a time of uncertainty) King of Nineveh declared a fast (Jonah 3:5). (a time of judgement loomed) Disciples fasted and ministered to the Lord (Acts 13:2–3). (for discernment of direction)

Ultimately, at the root whatever type of fasting you do let it be from the direction of the Lord. The goal is to humble yourself and seek His face.

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Closing:

As I finish this message I want to share with you how to fast.

A major principle of fasting mentioned by Jesus is that we are not to look dejected outwardly so that others know we are fasting. Matthew 6:16-18.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:16–18 ““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. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

How to fast:

START WITH A CLEAR GOAL. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of your marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be specific.

PREPARE SPIRITUALLY. Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you.

DECIDE WHAT TO FAST. Are you fasting food? Food and water? Or are you fasting from something that isn’t food, like social media or television?

DECIDE HOW LONG TO FAST. Most can easily fast for one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.

Replace eating with reading and prayer. Deuteronomy 8:3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’s example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship music. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mindset on seeking God’s face.

What to expect when fasting?

Persistent hunger. Hunger is a common side effect of any fast. Avoiding water can make you feel even hungrier, since water helps increase satiety.

Tiredness. If you don’t eat food or drink water, your body won’t have enough fuel. You’ll likely feel fatigued, dizzy, and weak. My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. (Psalm 109:24)

Irritability. As the hunger builds up, you’re bound to feel cranky. This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. (Leviticus 16:29) Fasting exposes unhealthy relationships with food and our flesh. We comfort our negative emotions through eating. Emotions surface and they are forced to go to the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

Headaches. Restricting caffeine and nutrients, especially carbohydrates, can lead to headaches.

Poor focus. When you’re tired and hungry, it can be difficult to concentrate at school or work.

HOW TO END Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks. Physical reason is that your digestive system has been at rest, and will need to restart. Remember, if you have underlying medical issues it may be wise to fast technology, or be under the care of your physician while fasting.

I am asking you to join me over the next seven days beginning tomorrow to fast with me as we begin the new year. I am going to do a partial fast. I will be fasting breakfast and lunch each day, and breaking my fast for dinner. Seek the Lord on how he would have you to fast. I believe we will see greater breakthrough in 2024 than ever before.

Pray:

1. Prepare our hearts, and strengthen us.

2. Salvation.