My pastor’s suggested a fast for the month of January, so I’ve pulled my study notes on fasting from a while back that I wrote before I started my first fast; the purpose being -of course- a greater (read biblical) understanding of what it means to fast. And based on the scriptures that I pulled, I’ve divided the subject into some key points.
* I know the post is long, and I do consider all parts to be beneficial, but feel free to jump around to portions that you are particularly interested in or to subjects that you have questions about.
PURPOSE/REASON
- To humble oneself
and to intercede (Ps 35:13)
- To receive an answer to prayer / a word form the Holy Spirit,
as a part of commissioning,
as a part of worship
and as a part of commissioning (Ps 35:13; Ac 13:1-3)
- To make a decision (Est 4:16)
- In observance of a day (Est 9:31)
- To reconcile with the Lord (Lev 16:29-34)
- As a sign of repentance (Joel 1:14)
- When mourning (Neh 1:4)
David humbled himself with fasting when it seemed as though his prayers were unanswered. (My pastor points out that our acts cannot indebt God or twist his arm though. It’s our faith and his word that he responds to, in His time.) (Ps 35:13)
Church leaders Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen had been worshipping and fasting, and then received a word from the Holy Spirit before Saul and Barnabas had been commissioned and anointed for God’s work. (Ac 13:1-3)
An assembly was called to repent in Joel 1:14, and fasting was a sign of repentance. The Lord told the people, through Moses, to deny themselves as an act of reconciliation and reparation of their relationship with Him (Lev 16:29-34). This was probably done to illustrate the significance of reconciliation to God. We now reconcile ourselves to God through Jesus Christ, acknowledging his perfect and holy sacrifice (Jn 14:6; 19:30; Heb 10:5; Ac 16:31).
Mourning, fasting, and praying were all related in Neh 1:4.
Prayer and fasting proceeded a decision (to act) in Esther 4:16.
And in Esther 9:31, fasting was done in observance of a particular day.
HOW-TO (DO’S AND DON’TS)
· Do be lead by the Spirit (Mt 4:1-2)
· Do so voluntarily
· Do maintain your regular appearance and demeanor (Mt 6:17-18)
· Do pray while fasting (Ac 14:23; Neh 1:4)
· Do humble yourself (Joel 1:14)
· Do so privately and individually (Mt 6:16-18)
· Don’t fast at an inappropriate or unfitting time (Mk 2:18-22)
· Don’t make a show of fasting (Mt 6:1,16-18)
· Don’t fast out of legalism (Mt 4:1-2)
Fasting is an outward sign of an inward belief or attitude. There’s no benefit in humbling yourself physically, if you aren’t humble in spirit.
Since fasting was often associated with mourning or loss, Jesus explains in Mk 2:18-22 that his disciples would have plenty of time to fast after he leaves, but while he was still with them, they should enjoy their time together; which reminds me of stories of disapproving mother-in-laws wearing black to their son’s weddings. Likewise, fasting during a joyous occasion is inappropriate.
And in Matthew chapter 6 Jesus warns people to “be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ (of which fasting is included along with prayer and giving) “before men to be seen by them…(v. 1).
GROUP VS. INDIVIDUAL FASTING
We see examples of both individual, private fasting and corporate fasting; the difference between the two being the purpose. For a group to all be on one accord in fasting to receive direction or word from the Lord (Ac 13:1-3; 14:23; Est 4:16; 9:31) was shown in previous examples versus Jesus’ warning against people fasting for the purpose of being seen instead of truly humbling themselves (Mt 6:1,16-18).
OLD TESTAMENT VS. NEW TESTAMENT FASTING
The most significant difference between OT and NT fasting is the negation of fasting as a way of atonement and cleansing of sin. Just as Jesus has provided a once-for-all perfect sacrifice and has made animal sacrifice obsolete, we’re also atoned to God through Christ and cleansed of sin by his blood (Jn 14:6; 19:30; Heb 10:5; Ac 16:31).
Other applications may still apply though: an outward expression of internal humbling, a part of worship or its association with mourning, part of election and commission, part of observance, to recive direction form the Holy Spirit, etc.
TRUE FASTING (HUMBLING) CAN RESULT IN…
· Reward(s) and spiritual benefits (Mt 6:18; Lk 5:33-39, and NIV notes)
· Word/revelation, leading by the Holy Spirit (Ac 13:1-3; Est 4:16)
· Healing, protection, prayers answered in the affirmative, guidance, strength, life, and…
· Provision (i.e. being set free, clothed, feed, provided shelter) (Isa 58:3-11)
SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT DURING FASTING
Although the definition of fasting has been broadened from simply abstaining form food or eating sparingly or abstaining form some food (m-w.com) to abstaining from habitual activities that may signify a dependence on worldly things I’ve pulled nine key scriptures that I meditate on during a period of fasting, and they may help you as well:
1. The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not be in want (Ps 23:1)
2. Daniel then said to the guard…Please test your servants for ten days: Please 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. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. (Dan 1:11-13, 15) [This particular issue concerned both the spiritual and physical. Daniel made the wisest choice because the first portion of the meat was offered to idols and a portion of the wine poured out on a pagan alter, so under the law they were considered unclean. Verses 15 to 20 of Daniel chapter one show how God blessed them physically, mentally, and most likely spiritually afterward. Although fasting is to be a spiritual practice, intended to bring us closer to God collateral blessings are often bestowed.]
3. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Pr 16:3)
4. ‘Everything is permissible for me’ –but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’ –but I will not be mastered but anything. ‘Food for the stomach and the stomach for food’ –but God will destroy them both. (1 Co 6:12-13)
5. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name. O Lord God Almighty. (Jer 15:16) [NIV note: I ate them, digested them, assimilated them, and made them a part of me.]
6. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed form sin. (Ro 6:6-7) [NIV notes, and mine also: Our ‘old self’, what we once were, our pre-Christian state, was dominated by sin. For the believer, the ‘old self’ has been rendered powerless, so that it can no longer enslave us to sin. Sin has no ruling power because it died with Christ, and we have victory over sin and death, as Christ does. Freed form sin doesn’t mean sinless, but free form sin’s shackles and power.]
7. They promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. (2 Pe 2:19)
8. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. (Gal 5:13)
9. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Mt 4:4)
