Post by Cindy on Mar 1, 2022 13:20:53 GMT -5
Often people today "fast" without really understanding what the Bible says about when, why and how we should fast. Here's what some of my commentaries say about Fasting:
Simply to deprive ourselves of food is not of itself fasting. We must devote ourselves to God and worship Him. Unless there is the devotion of the heart (see Zech. 7) there is no lasting spiritual benefit. As with giving and praying, true fasting must be done in secret; it is between the believer and God. If we have to look miserable to be considered spiritual, then there is something wrong with our views of spirituality. (Matthew 6:16–18).
Fasting for the Christian is preparation for praying and other spiritual exercises. It means giving up a lesser thing to gain a greater, and this could involve food, sleep, or even sex (1 Cor. 7:1–6). Giving up sex is obviously only for someone who's married and must be agreed on by both husband and wife.
TRUE FASTING. BASIL: Take heed that you do not make fasting to consist only in abstinence from meats. True fasting is to refrain from vice. Shred to pieces all your unjust contracts. Pardon your neighbors. Forgive them their trespasses.
A holy and lawful fast has three ends in view. We use it either to mortify and subdue the flesh, that it may not wanton, (in other words, put to death sin or sins) or to prepare the better for prayer and holy meditation; or to give evidence of humbling ourselves before God, when we would confess our guilt before him.
Responding to modern society’s obsession with image and appearance, some weight-loss programs have started to prescribe fasting as a means of losing weight. But in ancient Israel, fasting was observed for more purposes than that. For example, the gallant men of Gilead fasted for seven days to express their grief over King Saul’s death (1 Chr. 10:12). Rather than hide their sadness and feelings of loss, they openly expressed it by using fasting as a cleansing discipline.
Other purposes for fasting among the Israelites included:
• commemorating special occasions of God’s deliverance (Zech. 8:19);
• repenting of and grieving for disobedience and sin against the Lord (Judg. 20:26; 1 Sam. 7:6);
• expressing humility before God (Lev. 16:29; Ps. 69:10); and
• seeking guidance from the Lord by clearing out the senses and focusing on Him (Ex. 34:28; 2 Chr. 20:3–4).
Today one hears much about “focus,” “concentration,” and “working the program” in areas such as sports, the workplace, and psychotherapy. Fasting is a means toward spiritual focus by concentrating on God rather than on food and other personal needs. The following table shows some of the people in the Bible who fasted, and the outcomes of their discipline.
In what ways might you benefit from the discipline of fasting? Are you facing major challenges or decisions? Perhaps fasting would be a fitting way to honor God in the situation and ask for His help. You may be surprised at how depriving yourself of a day’s food in order to concentrate on the Lord can build spiritual muscle and moral fiber.
Moses
Fasted 40 days and nights as he met with God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:27–28). He received a second set of tablets containing the Law after the incident with the golden calf.
The Israelites
Fasted to show their repentance and renew the covenant after retrieving the ark of the covenant from the Philistines (1 Sam. 7:5–6). Victory over the Philistines soon followed (7:10–11).
David
Fasted to show his repentance after learning that he would lose the child conceived by adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:15–16). The child died anyway according to the judgment of the Lord.
Ahab
Fasted to show his repentance after Elijah warned him of judgment because of the murder of Naboth (1 Kin. 21:27). The Lord decided to delay punishment until his son assumed the throne (21:29).
Ezra
Fasted before journeying from Babylon to Jerusalem in order to ask God’s blessing, guidance, and safety (Ezra 8:21–23). The trip was without incident (8:31–32).
Nehemiah
Fasted and repented on behalf of the Israelites after learning of dire conditions at Jerusalem (see “Nehemiah’s Prayer: A Model to Follow” at Neh. 1:4–11). God gave him favor with the king and a chance to return and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
Daniel
Fasted and repented on behalf of the Jews in order to entreat God to restore them from exile in Babylon (Dan. 9:3–4). God allowed His people to return to their land.
The city of Nineveh
Fasted to show faith in God and repentance after hearing Jonah’s message of impending judgment (Jon. 3:4–9). The Lord forgave the Ninevites’ sin and spared them from calamity.
Zechariah
Reminded Israel of four commemorative fasts to be held each year after their return from exile. The events were intended to call them to love truth and peace (Zech. 8:19).
Jesus
Fasted for 40 days in the wilderness after being baptized by John at the start of His ministry (Matt. 4:2). Satan came to tempt Him into sin, but He withstood the test.
Cornelius
Was fasting and praying when God directed him to send for Peter (Acts 10:30–32). Peter proclaimed the gospel to Cornelius and his family, and they received it with gladness (10:34–48).
Paul and Barnabas
Were fasting and praying when God called them for a journey to take the gospel to Asia Minor (Acts 13:1–5). Several new churches were planted as many came to faith.
I hope this helps us all understand a bit more about this subject. I have to admit that I was very surprised to learn that when we fast the important part of it wasn't giving up food (or whatever) but was rather what we did instead that drew us closer to the Lord.
Simply to deprive ourselves of food is not of itself fasting. We must devote ourselves to God and worship Him. Unless there is the devotion of the heart (see Zech. 7) there is no lasting spiritual benefit. As with giving and praying, true fasting must be done in secret; it is between the believer and God. If we have to look miserable to be considered spiritual, then there is something wrong with our views of spirituality. (Matthew 6:16–18).
Fasting for the Christian is preparation for praying and other spiritual exercises. It means giving up a lesser thing to gain a greater, and this could involve food, sleep, or even sex (1 Cor. 7:1–6). Giving up sex is obviously only for someone who's married and must be agreed on by both husband and wife.
TRUE FASTING. BASIL: Take heed that you do not make fasting to consist only in abstinence from meats. True fasting is to refrain from vice. Shred to pieces all your unjust contracts. Pardon your neighbors. Forgive them their trespasses.
A holy and lawful fast has three ends in view. We use it either to mortify and subdue the flesh, that it may not wanton, (in other words, put to death sin or sins) or to prepare the better for prayer and holy meditation; or to give evidence of humbling ourselves before God, when we would confess our guilt before him.
Responding to modern society’s obsession with image and appearance, some weight-loss programs have started to prescribe fasting as a means of losing weight. But in ancient Israel, fasting was observed for more purposes than that. For example, the gallant men of Gilead fasted for seven days to express their grief over King Saul’s death (1 Chr. 10:12). Rather than hide their sadness and feelings of loss, they openly expressed it by using fasting as a cleansing discipline.
Other purposes for fasting among the Israelites included:
• commemorating special occasions of God’s deliverance (Zech. 8:19);
• repenting of and grieving for disobedience and sin against the Lord (Judg. 20:26; 1 Sam. 7:6);
• expressing humility before God (Lev. 16:29; Ps. 69:10); and
• seeking guidance from the Lord by clearing out the senses and focusing on Him (Ex. 34:28; 2 Chr. 20:3–4).
Today one hears much about “focus,” “concentration,” and “working the program” in areas such as sports, the workplace, and psychotherapy. Fasting is a means toward spiritual focus by concentrating on God rather than on food and other personal needs. The following table shows some of the people in the Bible who fasted, and the outcomes of their discipline.
In what ways might you benefit from the discipline of fasting? Are you facing major challenges or decisions? Perhaps fasting would be a fitting way to honor God in the situation and ask for His help. You may be surprised at how depriving yourself of a day’s food in order to concentrate on the Lord can build spiritual muscle and moral fiber.
Moses
Fasted 40 days and nights as he met with God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:27–28). He received a second set of tablets containing the Law after the incident with the golden calf.
The Israelites
Fasted to show their repentance and renew the covenant after retrieving the ark of the covenant from the Philistines (1 Sam. 7:5–6). Victory over the Philistines soon followed (7:10–11).
David
Fasted to show his repentance after learning that he would lose the child conceived by adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:15–16). The child died anyway according to the judgment of the Lord.
Ahab
Fasted to show his repentance after Elijah warned him of judgment because of the murder of Naboth (1 Kin. 21:27). The Lord decided to delay punishment until his son assumed the throne (21:29).
Ezra
Fasted before journeying from Babylon to Jerusalem in order to ask God’s blessing, guidance, and safety (Ezra 8:21–23). The trip was without incident (8:31–32).
Nehemiah
Fasted and repented on behalf of the Israelites after learning of dire conditions at Jerusalem (see “Nehemiah’s Prayer: A Model to Follow” at Neh. 1:4–11). God gave him favor with the king and a chance to return and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
Daniel
Fasted and repented on behalf of the Jews in order to entreat God to restore them from exile in Babylon (Dan. 9:3–4). God allowed His people to return to their land.
The city of Nineveh
Fasted to show faith in God and repentance after hearing Jonah’s message of impending judgment (Jon. 3:4–9). The Lord forgave the Ninevites’ sin and spared them from calamity.
Zechariah
Reminded Israel of four commemorative fasts to be held each year after their return from exile. The events were intended to call them to love truth and peace (Zech. 8:19).
Jesus
Fasted for 40 days in the wilderness after being baptized by John at the start of His ministry (Matt. 4:2). Satan came to tempt Him into sin, but He withstood the test.
Cornelius
Was fasting and praying when God directed him to send for Peter (Acts 10:30–32). Peter proclaimed the gospel to Cornelius and his family, and they received it with gladness (10:34–48).
Paul and Barnabas
Were fasting and praying when God called them for a journey to take the gospel to Asia Minor (Acts 13:1–5). Several new churches were planted as many came to faith.
I hope this helps us all understand a bit more about this subject. I have to admit that I was very surprised to learn that when we fast the important part of it wasn't giving up food (or whatever) but was rather what we did instead that drew us closer to the Lord.
!!
