Fasting

In our Sunday School time and on Wednesday nights the passed few weeks we have been walking through the sermon on the mount. In Sunday School we started withe Matthew 5 and are making our way through a few verses at a time. Bro. Greg is a little ahead of me. So, I am sure the Sr. high has already covered these verses. But this may be a good reminder.

As a reminder, Jesus is talking to the true disciple and are teaching them how to behave as disciples of Himself. They the Christian should act, think, and behave differently than the world.

The last time are were together on Sunday morning we talked through the model prayer and forgiveness. This morning we are going to talk about fasting. This is something that isn’t taught about very much, so let me encourage you if you have any questions or you think that fasting is something you might want to do: Please don’t decide you are going to fast without talking it through with your parents, and making sure you have the right understanding of fasting. As well as the physical health to fast without problems.

Matthew 6:16–18 KJV 1900

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Introduction

Christian fasting is the act of abstaining from something for a period of time for a certain spiritual purpose–it’s intentionally emptying oneself to be receptive to something else. When Christians fast, they become receptive to a closer relationship God and to being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Fasting is a crucial part of our walks with the Lord and although it isn’t commanded, we can clearly see in Scripture that Jesus expects His followers to fast. Fasting shifts our attention from the things of the flesh to the things of the Spirit, and it is an act of surrender to the Lord and the things of Him.

What should Christians do when they fast? Fasts are unique to you, so pray about what the Lord wants you do to or not do during your fast. When you fast, I highly encourage you to replace the time you’d normally spend doing whatever it is you’re fasting from and spend that time dedicated to the Lord instead.

Biblical fasting should not be considered a method for dieting, but a method for growing into deeper communion with God and being more in tune with His Spirit. The primary Biblical reason to fast is to take our eyes off of the things of the flesh and to open our eyes to the things of God.

“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” - Andrew Murray

Fasting is the act of denying oneself and one’s needs to grow our dependence and reliance on God. It is a part of our sacrificial living for the purpose of bringing our spirits in alignment with His. It is a reminder to us that He provides for each and every one of our needs.

Because fasting is so broad and there are multiple ways to fast, it can be difficult to figure it out, so I want to give you some tools to help you better understand. Some rules, guidelines, and best practices of fasting.

Rules for Fasting

Here are both practical and spiritual rules for fasting.

1. Fast in Secret

Matthew 6:16 KJV 1900

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

When we fast to be seen or approved of by others, our reward will be just that–approval of man. There will be no reward for us stored in heaven. Don’t let your fast be wasted because you would’ve rather had man’s approval than God’s approval.

If you’re the type of person who needs accountability during your fast, ask a close friend, mentor, or family member to help keep you accountable, but it is unBiblical to go around telling others of your fast for the sole purpose of wanting others to know that you’re fasting.

2. Have the Right Motives

Fasting as a Christian means to humble ourselves before the Lord. It’s a way to glorify Him, so our focus should be centered around Him rather than ourselves.

When you fast, you shouldn’t: -Fast to be seen by others -Fast for a reward -Fast to be more holy or righteous

But when you fast, you should: -Fast to deny oneself -Fast to deepen spiritual hunger for God -Fast for God’s intervention

Remember that God sees every intention of the heart.

3. Physically Prepare Yourself

When fasting food, it’s crucial to prepare your body and eat smaller meals a few days prior to your fast and to avoid high-fat and sugary foods before the fast. Make sure you’re also drinking plenty of water and staying away from strong stimulants such as caffeinated and sugary drinks immediately before and during the fast.

Keep in mind that years of improper fasting can cause permanent physical damage. The negative effects won’t typically be felt at a young age, but they will accumulate after years of fasting. If you have previously or currently struggle with an eating disorder, have any dietary restrictions of any kind, or are on prescription medication, please consult your doctor before beginning the fast and know that you may need to fast something other than food. Pay attention to your physical needs and what your body is telling you.

Guideline for Fasting

Here are a few practical and spiritual guidelines for fasting:

1. Know What Scripture Says About Fasting

Although fasting isn’t commanded in scripture, we should not take lightly; we know Jesus expects of us. If you don’t know why fasting is a necessity in the life of a believer and why Jesus expects it of us, you will have a difficult time completing and being fulfilled from your fast.

2. Identify the Purpose

Be intentional about determining the purpose for your fast before you begin your fast. Are you fasting for clarity on a decision? Are you fasting for God’s intervention? Are you fasting to go deeper in your relationship with God? Clarifying the purpose for your fast creates a frame for it. It also helps your activity during your fast be in alignment with the purpose of it. The more intentional you are before your fast, the more fruitful your fast will be.

3. Determine the Length of the Fast

Don’t go into it playing it by ear, but determine the length of the fast before it begins. Whether if it’s for one meal, one day, three days, a week, a month, etc. If you’re just beginning, fasting for one meal is a good place to start. Ask the Lord to reveal to you how long your fast should be! I highly encourage going into your fast committed to a time period for it. Be as intentional as you can be with it.

4. Plan What You’ll Do Instead

Before you begin your fast, make sure to plan what you’ll do in the time period that you’ll normally spend doing the thing you’re fasting from. If you’re fasting from food, you’d be surprised how much time opens up from not only not eating, but also from not having to prepare and cook meals. As I previously mentioned, I highly encourage you spend that time with the Lord to get the most benefit from your fast.

Connect the plan with your purpose for the fast. If you’re fasting because you need to make a big decision, spend that time praying about the decision. Whatever it may be, it’ll be the most beneficial to you if you found a way to connect the plan for your fast to the purpose for your fast.

5. Start Small

Especially with fasting food, starting small is crucial because our bodies need to grow accustomed to the lack of supply. Don’t go from not fasting to attempting a weeklong fast, but instead, work your way up to it with smaller fasts. Start with one meal, then after fasting one meal for a couple weeks, try two meals. Then work your way up to an all day fast.

If you’re fasting from something else such as social media and you know you’re going to have a difficult time, try fasting it for a couple days rather than cutting it cold turkey. Most of the time, we need time to train our bodies and brains to go without the thing we’re fasting from. You don’t always have to “go big or go home,” it’s okay and often times necessary to start small!

6. Try Different Kinds of Fasting

As we see throughout scripture, there is more than one way to fast. We see congregational and national, regular and occasional, absolute and partial, public and private, and personal and communal. If you’re the type of person who needs accountability for your fast, ask someone to fast with you! Consider fasting with your church, family, small group, or whoever may want to see the same outcome of your fast.

If you can’t fast food for various reasons, fast social media, Netflix, or something else! I encourage you to fast from whatever it is that takes up most of your attention.

Best Practices for Fasting

We’ve talked a lot on what to do before your fast, but here are a few things to do during your fast.

1. Meditate on Scripture

Paul tells us in

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Meditation is Biblical, especially when meditating on the words of God. Remember it means to think on deeply. It is more that just a quick thought.

John 15:7 KJV 1900

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2. Spend Time in Prayer

It’s easy to forget to spend intentional time in prayer during our fast, but prayer strengthens our weak flesh. Prayer is for our benefit because it puts us into alignment with God and allows our spirit to be in tune with His. It opens us to be receptive to God and to the things of Him.

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Because fasting brings us to a weak state before the Lord, it’s easy to lose heart, but Luke comforts us in saying that prayer helps us to not lose heart but to remain steadfast and encouraged.

Luke 18:1 KJV 1900

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Conclusion

These are just a few thoughts about fasting. As I said at the beginning, if you are thinking that you may want to fast through a decision you need to make or something big in your life. Talk to your parents and make sure your motive is right, and you are able to physically handle the fast. But remember fasting doesn’t have to be from food it is just what we normally thing about.