Bible Foundations Lesson 25 – Subject: FASTING

 

Bible Foundations Lesson 25 – Subject: FASTING

Fasting should be a part of every Christian's life, just as prayer and study. Without Fasting, we can never be the person of God that he wants us to be. Fasting is necessary to complete Christian growth.

1. What is fasting? Fasting is an aid, a tool to help you spiritually.

Fasting is to abstain from food only. Be sure to drink water during a fast. To abstain from both food and water would take a supernatural intervention from God.  Our bodies can go without food for a number of days, but to go without water for just a few days would be harmful to our health.

Fasting can be for any length of time, from one meal to several days. The “Jewish fast” was usually one day and ended at sundown. Often it was only the evening meal, but there is no set rule.

If you have a health problem, such as diabetes, you should consider taking a glass of fruit juice at meal and break times, and also include plenty of water to keep your body system in balance.

2. How NOT to fast.   Don't try to appear to be fasting when you fast.

   Matthew 6:16-18 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but your fast is onto your Father God, who sees in secret - - he will reward you openly.

When you fast, don't allow yourself to become proud. Luke 18: 9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Don't fast trying to have visions or manifestations, as this can open you up for deception and error.

3. Why should we fast? - - John's disciples fasted often. Jesus said, that His disciples would fast, after He, the bridegroom was taken away.

   Luke 5:33-35 Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?  But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

Short fasts should have a normal place in a Christian's life. Notice there are no instructions whatever on fasting, as to length, or how, the only instruction is in 1 Corinthians 7:5 regarding consent of husbands and wives. It is wise to use common sense in fasting.

1 Corinthians 7:5  Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

If the wife is fasting, she should prepare, or make arrangements for the families meals and not cause a burden on her loved ones.

The Bible tells us that fasting “afflicts” the soul, that is it forces it down, causes it to be abased. Depressed and it makes it humble. The soul of a person is their; intellect, will, emotions, and is their normal (carnal) control center.

Our carnal nature would like to be in charge. If we “mind' the things of the Spirit, we press down or depress the things of the flesh, and build up or edify our spiritual nature. Fasting is one of the major factors employed to bring our carnal appetite under control of our spiritual man.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Our whole man becomes transformed by the renewing or making new of our minds. Study and meditation of God's Word and praying the the Holy Spirit, are very important growth factors;

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

The prime reason for “Fasting” is NOT to change God, but fasting is to change you.

Daniel chapters 9 and 10 speak of Daniel fasting, although he calls it fasting, he says, “I ate no pleasant bread.” Daniel's fast was not total abstinence of food, but rather he appears to have been on a mild vegetable diet, eating no pleasant bread, meat or wine. Daniel was in prayer and seeking God during this period of time.

Fasting should have a purpose.  Don't fast just to be fasting. There will be times when the Lord will lead or prompt you to fast.

Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that he brought his body under subjection of his spirit by fasting.

Jesus taught that His disciples could not cast out a demon, because of their unbelief – and that the unbelief was caused at least in part, by not fasting. In other words, fasting will help build your faith.

Faith needs prayer for it's development and full growth, and prayer needs fasting for the same reason.

Jesus, Paul, and the early church, fasted often, (often means they missed one or two meals.)

Moses was on a 40 day fast in Exodus 34:28, but this was not a bonified fast - - because he was in the midst of the glory cloud and all of his physical senses were suspended.

Elijah's 40 day fast was also supernatural. He was given Food by an angel, and he was able to go on the strength of that meat for 40 days.

When is it a good time to Fast? - - First in an Emergency: Use meal time for a prayer time.

Fast as you are being led of the Holy Spirit: caution, don't get imbalanced and do not enter a long Fast.

Very important - - It is good to Fast when you are seeking God's Direction: Fast and pray and wait on God for an answer.