As usual, I am not writing as an expert, but as a fellow journey(wo)man. For reasons that I’m not wanting to share at this moment, God has been putting “fasting” before my eyes lately. Do you know much about fasting or do this on a regular basis yourself?
Years ago, I set aside one day a week to fast. Now, my life seems to be zooming so fast I haven’t been focusing on this spiritual principle.
Have you ever noticed that Jesus didn’t say “IF” you fast, but “WHEN” you fast? Look below:
Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Why fasting? I wonder why it is so important to fast and why it has such an impact in the spiritual realm?
Isaiah 58:6
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Mark 9:26-30
Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
There is something very powerful about denying our flesh. Even the demons recognize it. It takes fasting to cast some of them out.
Isn’t it interesting that in our mind we would consider ourselves weaker, but spiritually we would be operating at a different level? I wrote a post one time about us belonging to An Upsidedown Kingdom (click on title), and this principle is another example.
Even now I just thought of Daniel. Do you remember when the king wanted all of the young men to eat from his table, rich foods and wine? Daniel had another idea. See below:
Daniel 1:12-16
Daniel said, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Have you ever heard of the “Daniel fast” folks? This is where we came up with that fast. Do you see how even denying the flesh the richest of foods helped Daniel and his friends? Years ago when I was still at our old church, my friend Michele and I did the Daniel fast for 21 days. It was amazing how God carried us. Seriously, I didn’t feel deprived of breads, meats, cheese, etc … But let me tell you. The night of the very last day, the attack came. The enemy was UPSET to say the least. God had the victory of course, but the attack was swift in coming.
Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and who was there to torment Him? Satan himself. Immediately, the angels were sent to minister to Jesus after His ordeal. You can read about this in Matthew 4:1-11.
So, why fast?
When I think of my “flesh” I do think about my physical body, but I also think of my cravings, and desires. My flesh seems hungry for something all of the time — constantly at odds with the Spirit of the Living God. Didn’t Paul say it well in Romans 7?
Romans 7:15-20 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So why fast? I believe it is necessary to deny this flesh of ours for several reasons. 1. Jesus said to DO IT. 2. For some reason it helps us hear God’s voice more clearly.
In my years of learning life lessons, I have found that God’s instructions through His Word can have some benefits that aren’t explained word for word. For a quick example. Are you familiar with the scripture that states we should capture our thoughts? What about this one:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
There is a reason why we should think on good things. I saw a testimony where God allowed a man to see in the spirit realm for a certain number of days. He saw demonic spirits drawn to people who focused on negative things. The thoughts put off an aroma and the demons were drawn like a shark to blood. He also saw when people focused on pure and holy things, holy angelic activity surrounded them. I found my note on facebook (if you’re my friend on fb, it is in my notes — July 30, 2008), but I can’t find where I posted about it on here (though I KNOW I did). Sorry.
Ok, I started to venture off course a bit, but my point is — there are probably some hidden benefits to fasting that the Lord didn’t spell out for us. Perhaps our bodies PHYSICALLY need to fast. Obviously we need to fast spiritually.
I just wanted to put this out there for everyone to ponder.
I pray you have a wonderfully blessed Monday!
As part of a small group bible study I'm participating in, they suggested that we try fasting from media for 48 hours. Many people shared how difficult it was as their daily routine was to watch the news in the morning and before they went to bed at night. Of course, it's important to know what's going on in the world but does it have to be the first and last thing of our day?
Others shared about the radio and talk radio. Others talked about the internet.
Food is absolutely something we could all fast from …for a time.
But there are a variety of ways to take some time away from this world and its ways and focus totally on God. We don't realize how much we've been influenced by this present world, no matter how much we try. Sometimes, it takes a time of no distractions.
There are others who have much more experience in this area than me. I read on a blog about a person who fasted from food and gained 5 pounds. I can't remember where I read that; was it here? LOL, sorry.
Jill of Forever n Ever n Always is much more up on this and she might be a valuable resource.
Love you,
Debbie
I need to be fasting with you. I need to pray about fasting, for many reasons, two are: One, it is good for the physical body and two, it is good for the soul.
Blessings and hugs, andrea
I need to be fasting with you. I need to pray about fasting, for many reasons, two are: One, it is good for the physical body and two, it is good for the soul.
Blessings and hugs, andrea
Beth,
I have an award for you! Please stop by and pick it up when you get a chance.
Christy
This is a great post, Beth, and you have wonderful scriptural support for fasting. Years ago, I led a bible study using the book "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough". We all fasted for a time, and it was wonderful. I do believe in fasting from foods as God leads, and I also agree with Debbie about fasting from habitual and addictive behaviors…the idea is to break free from the physical world and be a vessel for God's voice and guidance. We know that our minds can get into overload…mine does all the time…but our bodies do as well, and they need a rest,just as the land needs a rest from the planting…we need REST so we can listen to God.
Great post, Beth…God bless you!
Mary
Too cool, I just wrote a devotional on fasting. Thanks for the great info and the spiritual insight!
You're invited to join me:
http://www.heavenlyhumor.blogspot.com
for some laughs and God times…
I've always set out a day to fast out of habit, but found that I've been slipping lately.
Thanks for sharing. I have to go back to where i first started from.
Fasting has always been hard for me. It is always because I feel the need to have COFFEE to stay awake otherwise, I start to fall asleep. I still need to try again. Thanks for the reminder that God is with us through it all….
Sis Beth Good insite keep puttin the word out .Love to all. Pod.
Such an informitive post sis.Thanks for all that you share, love you.
Thanks for sharing about fasting. I often fast when I need spiritual guidance:) Smiles to you:)
FOR BOAZ'S EYE'S ONLY. BUBBA
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