Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting
Notes
Transcript
What is Fasting?
What is Fasting?
Fasting is not a popular concept in our culture. In fact, for nearly 100 years (1861-1954) there was nothing extrabiblical written on the topic.
Fasting has gotten a bad reputation
Asceticism
Health issues
In recent years, fasting has gained in popularity in both these areas
Eastern culture says it is good for mind, body, & spirit
Diet fads have been built around intermittent fasting
Scripture has a lot to say on fasting. Fasting is mentioned over 70 times in Scripture.
This is the process of abstaining from food and drink (not including water) for an extended period of time.
So, what does the Bible say about fasting?
What does the Bible Say?
What does the Bible Say?
Scripture highlights that fasting is for the spiritual purposes.
Jesus fasted in Luke 4:2
for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
Moses fasted in Deuteronomy 9:9
When I went up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord made with you, I remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water.
Elijah fasted in 1 Kings 19:8
And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
Daniel fasted in Daniel 10:3
I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.
Esther encouraged Modecai to fast in Esther 4:16
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Paul fasted after encountering Christ in Acts 9:9
And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
There were individuals who fasted and there were public proclamations to fast.
The people were instructed to fast on the day of atonement in Leviticus 23:27
“Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord.
Joel instructed the people to fast during national emergency in Joel 2:15
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
King Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast when Judah was invaded in 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
Ezra has the exiles fast and pray for safety while traveling on bandit-infested roads in Ezra 8:21-23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Zechariah mentioned regular fasts (up to four) being held in Zechariah 8:19
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day and his parable spoke of fasting up to twice a week in Luke 18:12
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
The Didache talked of regular fasting on Wednesday and Fridays for Christians in the first century, and history shows us that regular fasts were going on even into the 6th century.
Regular fasts have been part of the lives of God followers throughout time.
Is Fasting a Commandment?
Is Fasting a Commandment?
Jesus most famous discussion of fasting comes in Matthew 6:16-18
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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.
There are two key factors to consider from this text
Jesus speaks of fasting in the context of his teaching on giving and praying. It is the assumption, his included, that Christians will fast just as they will give and pray.
Isn’t it interesting that there is much to say, maybe even more, on the discipline of fasting versus giving. Yet we do not question giving. Certainly not praying.
Jesus key works are “when you fast”
He does not say “if you fast” or “you must fast”
He simply makes the assumption that a devoted follower will take opportunities to grow through disciplines gifted by God to connect more fully with Him
Another statement Jesus makes about fasting is in Matthew 9:14-17
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
Here Jesus says fasting will take place when He returns to the throne. The time is now just as we see of Barnabas, Paul, and the first century Christians in Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
This demonstrates that while fasting is not stated as a direct command, it is an expedient opportunity that is expected of the devoted follower.
Why Should I Fast?
Why Should I Fast?
To Grow Spiritually
To Grow Spiritually
Jesus says in Matthew that fasting is about our motive. While fasting can benefit us emotionally, physically, or mentally it should most often be done for benefit spiritually.
Fasting is connected to prayer, meditation, and worship as seen by Anna the prophetess in Luke 2:37
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
Again we see it a worshipful act of the first century Christians in Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
God questioned the people in Zechariah’s day when He says in Zechariah 7:5
“Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?
When we fast, is it with a mindset to grow closer to the Lord?
To Learn What Controls Us
To Learn What Controls Us
Fasting, more than any other discipline, will reveal the things that control us.
We often cover up our inside with food, drugs, and other indulgences.
Pride can take control and we must be humbled. David writes Psalm 69:10
When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
it became my reproach.
Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by God and God alone
But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Fasting is Feasting
Fasting Helps Us Keep Our Balance In Life
Fasting Helps Us Keep Our Balance In Life
We crave things we do not need and become enslaved by them. Remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:12
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Fasting will help us to keep these things in their proper place
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
But I, when they were sick—
I wore sackcloth;
I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.
This discipline brings about freedom!
Fasting can increase our prayer life, decision-making, physical well-being, deliverance from spiritual bondage, and more.
How Do I Fast?
How Do I Fast?
Fasting should occur on a progressive timeline
Start out with a 24-hour fast (lunch time to lunch time)
Eat small fresh meals before and after (fruits and veggies)
Drink fruit juices to help in the beginning
Drink plenty of water
Attempt this one day a week for several weeks
During the fast be in constant prayer, song, meditation, and adoration
Make every task a ministry to the Lord
After a few weeks, attempt a true 24-hour fast with just water
Do not listen to the hunger. Replace meal times with worship
Calm your inner ‘spoiled-child’
Refrain from mentioning your fast, as Jesus says, to anyone except those that must know
After several weeks try a 36-hour fast and build up to 3-7 days
It helps to know the process your body goes through during a longer fast
The first three days are the toughest with hunger pains and discomfort
Headaches
Frustration
Dizziness
your body is ridding itself of toxins that have built up from poor eating habits
It is not a comfortable process, but it is beneficial
By the fourth day the hunger pains become easier to manage
Move more slowly
Rest often
Days 6-7 you will begin to feel stronger and the hunger pains diminish un til about day 9-10
Concentration will be sharpened
Physically this is the most enjoyable part of the fast
Between days 21-40 hunger pains will return
These are the first true signs of starvation
When this happens, break your fast
Listen to God and listen to your body
Do not fast if you have medical issues obviously
Fasting is spiritual warfare
Lean into God and practice this discipline to become spiritually stronger
Remember our weaponry and who we rely upon
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,