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Fasting
A Neglected Discipline
- Dietary discipline
- Spiritual self-denial
Biblical fasting embraces both the outer man and the inner man, involving the mind, spirit, and body.
Fasting – “To abstain from food as a religious observance” -Oxford Dictionary
- To afflict the soul
- To practice self-denial
What is a partial fast?
- Refraining from eating 1 or 2 meals a day
- Refraining from eating certain foods
- Should I fast without water?
- Is fasting commanded?
- Is fasting a religious duty?
Some may object to fasting, saying…
- It is more important to fast from sin than from food.
- God doesn’t demand this kind of burden today.
- It is unnatural to go without food.
- It is a Roman Catholic doctrine.
- I fast only when the Spirit tells me.
- I tried it before and it didn’t work.”
What is the purpose of fasting?
- Turns away the wrath of God
- Helps us attain spiritual objectives
- Is an aid to prayer
- Helps us mortify the flesh
- Is an evidence of desiring special mercy from God
- Is an act of worship
Did the early believers fast?
- Jesus said his disciples would fast
(Luke 5:33-35; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27)
- Early believers were in fastings often
(Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; 1 Corinthians 7:5)
What is the proper method of fasting?
- Preparation (Matthew 6:16-18)
- Duration (from 1 day to 40 days)
- Participation
- Cessation
What are some dangers of fasting?
- Ritualism ( 7:5-12; 8:16-19; Rom 14:6)
- Asceticism (Colossians 2:18-23)
- False fasts (Acts 23:12-14)
- Hypocrisy (1 Kings 21:9-14; Matt. 6:16-18)
- Extremism (Matthew 17:21; Jonah 3:7-8)
- Judgmentalism (Luke 18:9-12; 1 Corin. 8:8)
What are some natural and spiritual oppositions to fasting?
- Hunger pangs (Matthew 4:2)
- Weakness (Psalms 109:24; Isaiah 40:31)
- Headaches
- Halitosis
- Persecution
- Temptation (Matthew 4:3-4)
What are some benefits of fasting?
- Spiritual liberty
- Divine guidance
- Growth in grace
- Increased faith
- Anointing of the Spirit
- Physical well-being
- Overcome carnal lusts
- Coping ability
