Fastening???

(Acts 13:2) “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…”

The power of words has undoubtedly been proved over time. We understand the wonders of God even if we do not acknowledge Him as the only true Creator. I am yet to find a hater of nature, someone that curses a beautiful sunset. Prayer is a tool used especially when in need; it is often a very selfish tool. Think about how often we pray for something that would benefit us directly and we are clearly taught our prayers are not answered only when our prayers are misguided; “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3): - I love the way the Bible has an answer for so many daily applications to one’s life, “seek and you shall find” its underlying formula. Why we tend to look to it last instead of our first point of reference is proof that we are in desperate need of our Saviours helping hand alone the way. All hail King Jesus!

There is another facet to the bible that we often tend to acknowledge but give it very little thought, let alone any participation and that is fasting. I would like to explore this a little further.

Fasting is often linked to repentance, it seems a perfect match. Fastening is about conquering a stronghold, whatever that may be! Look at the pattern through the Old Testament and it is obvious that one would fast to get God’s attention or at least use it as a tool to get noticed. However, some made the mistake of looking to people to be noticed whilst fasting and this we shouldn’t do. If we are too fast and there is no doubt a place for it in the lives of the New Testament believer, it must be done silently and secretly before God and Him alone.

How not to do it -- “Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:4): - there is an implication that fastening is obviously a tool we can use to be notice by our heavenly Father in and through our great Saviour. Obviously we can never be justified outside the finished work of Calvary; we can add nothing or take away anything from His finished work, praise His name! Yet we are nevertheless given instruction on how we should live as new creatures in Christ. We are taught to put on the mind of Christ; we need to follow His example and learn from Him. I ask the question, did He ever fast and if so why?

Fasting obviously deprives the body of something it needs or craves. It is all about denying the flesh. We are taught that the natural and the spiritual are enemies; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8): - I speak in principle and I do not use this text to proof the need for fasting, it is a mind-set I look for us to understand. It is the mind of Christ we seek to understand.

What was the Lord busy doing prior to His first recorded encounter with Satan and why then should be our next question?

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:1-2)

Let us unpack this; firstly Jesus was led by the Spirit (God the Holy Spirit) away from any home comforts, into the wilderness, in other words away from the norm whatever that may be. And it was for a specific purpose, which was to be tempted of the devil. But before this account actually took place, the Lord fasted for forty days and forty nights, leaving Him hungry, His physical body in need of food. It was in this state that the Lord Jesus was now ready to confront Satan; “And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:3-4)   

The necessity to give place to God’s Word over and above our carnal needs even to the point of denying oneself the necessity of food, which the body needs in order to survive, is clearly seen in this example. Faith has much to do with fasting, it means we need to step beyond our comfort zone and try something new. Not as some new fade but as a help, aiding us with our walk if we look to be victorious.

It is there as a help to build our relationship with God our Father: if our reasoning for doing it is wrong then we have misunderstood the purpose of fastening, which is to help us find strength to overcome in time of need. If we do it as a custom and make everyone aware of what we are doing, then it has no benefit as God will not recognise us; "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.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

What reward do I seek? Is it an easier life? that it is! But not through wealth and prosperity, but rather seeking out victory over any bondage to my life that hinders my relationship with my heavenly Father, if it be sin that so easily besets then fastening and prayer may be exactly what I need to find strength to overcome.

In the bigger scheme of things, this topic is very seldom mentioned and yet the Lord chooses to deal with this exact topic in conjunction with His instruction on how one should pray and I find that very interesting. But always remember that fastening has a sister and that is prayer and they are inseparable. If we fast lets us also remember to pray.

Signing off

Tyrone