Spiritual Discipline - Fasting

Introduction

I got some feedback about trying to understand what purpose disciplines serve. Is there another word that would help it make sense since the word discipline can carry such a different meaning? Another way of looking at this is a to look at it as spiritual habits or spiritual practices that become spiritual habits.

In the first week where we talked about meditation, it is a practice to make a habit to spend time listening for God to speak to you through Scripture. In the second week, we talked about prayer as a means of asking God for change in someone’s life. We practice routinely to make a habit of bringing life circumstances and situation to God who can make change happen.

This week we are focused on fasting. This sound strange though to our modern ears. We remember hearing about people fasting for protest reasons. We hear people use fasting as a diet technique. We also hear how fasting is antiquated or people question anyone who does this as it is not healthy for you. Again, none of these are scriptural and none of these are our focus today. What I am talking about today will not harm you physically.

What is fasting in the bible?

Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline describes fasting as such:

“Throughout Scripture fasting refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It stands in distinction to the hunger strike, the purpose of which is to gain political power or attract attention to a good cause. It is also distinct from health dieting which stresses abstinence from food for physical, not spiritual, purposes. Because of the secularization of modern society, “fasting” (if it is done at all) is usually motivated either by vanity or by the desire for power. That is not to say that these forms of “fasting” are wrong necessarily, but their objective is different from the fasting described in Scripture. Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes.”

Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (pp. 48-49). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Is Fasting a Biblical Command?

Yes and No. It is clear that we find many examples in Scripture where fasting is conducted on a personal level and a community and national level. You can also find examples in history where people have conducted fasts for personal or community needs. You can find spiritual leaders such as John Wesley and others who insisted upon its regular practice as part of their lives.

Foster points out in his book that while it is a clear distinct command like the ten commandments, there can be argued some precedent in the way Jesus taught about fasting. The context of him teaching about fasting is in the same message when he is teaching about praying and giving. The argument provided here is that Jesus says when you do these things, not if you do these things. In Matthew 6:16 it can be argued that Jesus either assumed they were regular practices such as praying and giving, or in another light perhaps they ought to be regular practices.

Foster points out one of the earliest writings we have is the Didache. This early church document prescribes fasting twice a week on Wednesday and Friday. John Wesley himself insisted on following this practice of fasting twice a week as well.

Purpose of Fasting

So then if it is not fulfilling a direct command of God yet it is supported to be a regular practice, what purpose does fasting serve? Foster cautions that there is a single purpose and that other benefits should never be the reason why we fast. He says

“Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained... Physical benefits, success in prayer, the enduing with power, spiritual insights—these must never replace God as the center of our fasting.”

Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 54-55). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Fasting keeps our center on God for being sustained in life.

“Fasting reminds us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us.”

Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 55). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Fasting helps to recenter our lives on what is truly important and separate from things that are not.

“Fasting helps us keep our balance in life. How easily we begin to allow nonessentials to take precedence in our lives. How quickly we crave things we do not need until we are enslaved by them. Paul writes, “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). Our human cravings and desires are like rivers that tend to overflow their banks; fasting helps keep them in their proper channels.”

Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 56). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Practice of Fasting

How do we start the practice of fasting? Can we just dive in? One note of caution, I agree with Foster that in fasting, this is abstaining from food and not drink. He pointed out that fasting in the bible typically did not exclude water or drink. The physical body can go without food for days but can only go 3 days without water. If you are diabetic or pregnant or have other health conditions be careful and talk to your doctor first to see what limits you need to observe. It is wise to start slowly and plan it out. However, remember as Jesus taught, fasting is not meant to draw attention to you because you are fasting. So don’t make a big deal out of it with others. It is a practice that takes, well practice. Foster says.

"it is wise to learn to walk well before we try to run."

Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 57). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

I personally recommend starting even slower than Foster suggested. For the first couple of weeks try less then 24 hours - Wesley for example fasted skipping one main meal - Skip morning meal and eat early afternoon - 2 pm

Perhaps you try this for a couple of weeks skipping breakfast on Friday morning and eating a late lunch. See what this does. Remember the point in abstaining is to draw closer to God. Remembering God not food is what sustains us.

Once we have mastered this Wesley fast and you want to go further, or God prods you to go further, start with a 24 hour fast. One of the items Foster suggests it to incorporate fruit juice in this period alongside the water. The easiest way to tackle a 24 hour period fast is to pick a meal say lunch, and then skip the next two meals until you reach 24 hours.

One you have done this 24 hour fast several times, and you or God prods you to go further you can try the 36 hour fast which is in essence skipping over three meals. There are more but as I mentioned earlier, learn to walk before running. Come see me or pick up Foster’s book to see what the next steps are beyond the 36 hour fast.

Conclusion

Remember during all of this time abstaining from food, your body will be adjusting. You will feel hunger pains but your body is designed to be able to skip meals. Let those drive you inward to God within you, sustaining you.

Let the fasting period be a catalyst to spend time with God for sustenance and allowing you to detach from things that you have attached to that are not important. Food is one of those items that when not careful can become an idol. There are many benefits to fasting but remember to keep centered on God and not let the other benefits take over the reason behind fasting.