I.
Introduction
a.
There are many
things that we read in the Bible that we view as outdated or optional—one of
these things is fasting
b.
When we think of
fasting, we might think that it was an Old Testament thing, or maybe that it’s
something that Catholics do during Lent or that Muslims do during Ramadan
c.
Fasting is,
however, a very powerful tool in our relationship with God
d.
Arthur Wallis:
“Fasting is important, more important perhaps, than many of us have
supposed…when exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window
opening up new horizons in the unseen world; a spiritual weapon of God’s
provision, mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds.”
e.
Tertullian:
“Fasting possesses great power. If
practiced with the right intention, it makes man a friend of God. The demons are aware of that.”
f.
St. Clement:
“Fasting is better than praying.”
g.
Today we’re going
to see why we should fast and some of the benefits we can derive from it
h.
Prayer
II.
What is Fasting
a.
Google: “To
abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious
observance.”
b.
Wikipedia:
“Fasting is primarily a movement of willing abstinence or reduction from
certain or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.”
c.
Fausset’s Bible
Dictionary: “Fasting is the laying aside of food for a period of time when the
believer is seeking to know God in a deeper experience.”
d.
Hebrew word: TsumàTo cover the mouth, i.e., to abstain from eating
e.
Greek word:
NestisàCompound word
combining the prefix for no and the word for eat, i.e., not eating
f.
When I say
fasting, I mean “To abstain from food and/or drink for religious reasons.”
III.
Why Should We
Fast?
a.
Jesus expects us
to fast (which is as binding as a command)
i.
Matthew 5
1.
Verse 2: When you
give to the needy…
2.
Verse 5: When you
pray…
3.
Verse 16: When
you fast…
4.
Jesus expects us
to fast just as much as He expects us to be generous and to engage in prayer
5.
He does not
explain why; He gives principles to regulate our fasting, assuming that we will
do it
ii.
Matthew 9:14-15
1.
Verse 14àWhy don’t your disciples fast?
2.
Verse 15à”Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the
bridegroom is with them? The days will
come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
b.
Because Jesus
gave us an example to follow
i.
Matthew 4:2
ii.
Now, I’m not
saying we have to fast for 40 days…
c.
To show remorse
i.
Fasting is a
tangible way of showing God that we are sorry for our sin
ii.
Joel 1:14:
“Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of
Yahweh your God, and cry out to Yahweh.”
d.
To enhance prayer
i.
“Prayer and
fasting” is found at least 77 times in the Bible
ii.
Setting aside
food (earthly concerns) for a time provides an opportunity to focus on God and
His Word
iii.
Don Whitney:
“There’s something about fasting that sharpens the edge of our intercessions
and gives passion to our supplications.”
e.
To teach
ourselves reliance upon God
i.
Going without
food reminds us that everything we have and are is from God
ii.
Beyond Today
Ministries: “Fasting is a means of getting our minds back on the reality that
we are not self-sufficient. Fasting
helps us realize just how fragile we are and how much we depend on things
beyond ourselves.”
iii.
The Day of
Atonement
1.
Leviticus 23:27—the
only full fast commanded by God
2.
Fasting helped
them to focus on the Redemption of God
f.
To teach us
self-restraint
i.
Is there a
sin/habit that you are trying to break?
ii.
Fasting, combined
with prayer, is something the Spirit uses to teach us to say “no”
g.
It has many
health benefits
i.
Fasting has been
shown to
1.
Lower blood
pressure
2.
Lower bad
cholesterol
3.
Reduce the risk
of diabetes
4.
Reboot the immune
system
5.
Increase the
metabolism
ii.
These health
benefits should not be our primary reasons for fasting, but, as with many of
God’s commands, what is good for our souls is good for our bodies as well
IV.
When Should We
Fast?
a.
Times of crisis
i.
2 Samuel 12àDavid and Bathsheba
ii.
Verse 16: “David
therefore sought God on behalf of the child.
And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.”
b.
In times of
national or Church-wide repentance
i.
Jonah 3:5: “And
the people of Nineveh
ii.
Why hasn’t the
Church called a fast over abortion? Why
don’t we have the National Day of Prayer and Fasting?
c.
When seeking
protection or guidance
i.
Esther
1.
She was going to
approach the king on behalf of the Jews
2.
Esther 4:16a:
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa
ii.
Ezra 8:21: “Then
I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves
before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children,
and our good.”
d.
Whenever we want
i.
There are no set
rules for when or how long we should fast
ii.
It can be a
corporate activity, but it should also be a personal act of piety
iii.
We must follow
our consciences
V.
How should we
fast?
a.
Willingly
i.
If we are being
coerced into fasting, God will not honor it
ii.
It must come from
the heart
b.
Sincerely
i.
Isaiah 58:3-5àGod chastises Judah
ii.
Don Whitney: “We
must never try to immerse ourselves in a spiritual discipline as an attempt to
drown out God’s voice about forsaking a sin.
It is a perversion of fasting to try and use it to balance a sinful part
of life we want to continue feeding.”
iii.
Fasting is not
supposed to replace obedience or true communion with God; it is designed to
enhance them
iv.
Simply going
through the motions of fasting is worse than not fasting at all
c.
Subtly
i.
Matthew 6:16-18:
“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.”
ii.
When you fast, no
one but God and you should know it
iii.
Fasting must
never be something we do to show everyone how pious we are; it should show God
how dedicated we are to Him
d.
Wisely
i.
Certain people
may not be able to fast—nursing mothers, diabetics, etc.
ii.
Be aware of
health concerns
iii.
At the same time,
remember that all of Israel
VI.
Conclusion
a.
Fasting is a way
for us to personalize and “physicalize” our religion
b.
It can become
rote and lifeless—beware!
c.
Remember, fasting
is wider than food and drink
i.
D. Martyn
Lloyd-Jones: “Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not…be confined to the
question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence
from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special
spiritual purpose. There are many bodily
functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for
special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting.”
ii.
What are some
things that I could give up to learn reliance on God and to focus on communion
with Him?
d.
It is a practice
the American Church
e.
We make excuses
for why we don’t have to fast or why it’s not that big of a deal
f.
We are missing
out on a means of grace!
g.
I encourage you
to develop this spiritual discipline
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