My goal in writing this post is not to cram a bunch of history, thoughts, studies etc. down your throat. Or to tell you that you have to be fasting to be a good Christian. This is more of a food for thought & spirit post. Because truthfully, I haven’t studied this extensively. I just know from experience that there is power in fasting from food & it’s something that has really been on my heart & mind lately.
Fasting & praying are biblical-based disciplines that are applicable for every believer despite common misconceptions about it being old fashioned or only “traditions” for certain religious groups.
Man shall not live by bread alone,
Matthew 4:4
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
While I’m not opposed to “fasts” from things other than food (I’m using quotes here because that’s what people are calling these disciplines) but I disagree with calling them “fasts” & I’ll explain why in a sec. I believe they can be powerful! Afterall, you are abstaining from something that is an idol in your life (something standing between you and God) & that’s great! I would totally encourage that! But this isn’t what fasting means in the biblical sense.
The noun translated “fast” or “a fasting” is tsom in the Hebrew and nesteia in the Greek language. It means the voluntary abstinence from food. The literal Hebrew translation would be “not to eat”. The literal Greek means “no food”
Today, Merriam-Webster defines it as
fast
fasted; fasting; fasts
1 : to abstain from food
2 : to eat sparingly or abstain from some foods
So, fasting does not just mean to abstain, it is abstaining from food.
So, this cleared the confusion I had when pondering if fasting from my smart phone had the same spiritual effect as fasting from food. I don’t believe it is the same. Though I do believe in abstaining from anything that is coming between you & God. I just don’t think we should be labeling our abstinence from an idol, a “fast” because it’s confusing & is a misuse of the verb.
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.”
Mark 9:28-29
Fasting is biblical. We see examples of biblical fasting in many lives throughout scripture including Jesus, Moses, Elijah, & King David.
Jesus Fasted 40 days & 40 nights.
Moses Fasted for 40 days & nights from food & water TWICE!
Elijah fasted 40 days & 40 nights.
(I always thought Jesus was the only one who fasted 40 days, just an interesting truth I wanted to tuck in here, that Moses & Elijah did as well)
If this seems impossible that’s because it is without divine intervention. Humans can only last about three days without water. I’m not at all saying you should fast from food & water for 40 days, that’s not where I’m going with this, I’m just sharing because it’s amazing.
But I do want to share some thoughts I had when studying Jesus’ fast & temptation in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13
Jesus had just been baptized by John & the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove & then:
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. And the tempter came and…”
Matthew 4:1-3
Note: There are a lot of layers to this and so so so much to learn and discuss about this topic/story, but I am just sharing the scratched surface with some thoughts that hopefully encourage you to dig deeper into the Word & grow more spiritually.
Jesus wasn’t tempted by the devil until after 40 days of fasting. What if, fasting was absolutely necessary; extremely important in preparation to resist & withstand the temptation of the devil. & if that is true what that would mean for the importance of fasting in our own spiritual lives & preparing for spiritual battle.
It’s so easy to wave off fasting as a pastime, but Jesus said his disciples will fast once He is gone (when they have the Holy Spirit).
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
Mark 2:18-20
We actually had a discussion about fasting at our bible study group last week that my husband & I attended. People shared their personal experiences, thoughts, & biblical references. There was the consensus that fasting can be powerful, but we need to be spirit led & not doing it out of tradition or selfish gratification which is all very biblical.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:16
“When you fast” not “if” you fast. – this was pointed out during our study & I never noticed it before.
I want to be clear; fasting isn’t some magical self-help tool to get what you want. There are a lot of selfish reasons why one may fast. But I sincerely hope you will pray & fast as you feel led. & ultimately will do it out of a hunger for growing closer to God. That should be the drive in this. Not for you, but for Him. That He may reveal more to you, & through you, for His glory. To humble you rather than self-praise. To experience God’s grace to grow & mature you spiritually.
Through Fasting, the Holy Spirit will engrave God’s Word deeper on your heart, & His Truth will become more real & relevant.
Remember: Satan will always tempt us to satisfy our flesh and not the spirit.
Dr. Bill Bright produced a guide to fasting for cru.org if you are interested in digging deeper.
With much love,
kortney sue
