ADVANCED
|
FASTING Biblical fasting is partial or total abstinence from the
natural carnal desires for the purpose of dedicating your time
to spiritual growth. The
Hebrew words for fast and fasting are sum (verb) and som (noun).
The corresponding Greek words are nesteuo and nesteia which
come from a root meaning hunger.
Other expressions used in the Old Testament are "not
eat bread" (I Sam. 28:20; 2 Sam. There is no mention of fasting before the time of Moses
and there are less than 20 New Testament references to fasting. Within these 20 references there is no command
to fast and only one passage gives direct instructions on fasting. In looking at the various examples of fasts throughout the
Bible one will see that there are many variations. There are variation in what one is abstaining
from, the length of the fast, whether the fast is brought on by
circumstances or whether there is intent to fast and the reason
for fasting. I. Types of fast A. Absolute Fast
- abstaining from all food and water 1. Jonah 3:5-10 - As an act of repentance an absolute
fast was called for where both man and beast was to eat or drink
nothing. The length of
the fast is unknown. The
people were told not only to fast but also to turn from wickedness. 2. Exodus 34:27-27 - Moses while getting the Law
from God did not eat or drink for forty days and forty nights. Under normal circumstances a forty day absolute
fast is not recommended. Though
the body can go for long periods without food, long periods without
water are harmful to the body.
Moses here was in the very presence of God.
The glory of God was there.
There is a supernatural refreshing or encounter here. Moses
probably did not even notice that he had been there 40 days. (Ex. 24:13-18) B. Partial Fast - Any reference that does not specifically
say that one abstained from both food and water is considered
to be partial. 1. Matt. 4:1 - Though Jesus fasted for 40 days
and nights there is no mention that He was thirsty afterward. 2. I Kings 19:8 - Elijah went on the strength of
the meat for 40 days and nights.
This does not say or imply that he drank no water. 3. 2 Sam. 12:16-23 - David fasted 7 days praying
that God would have mercy and deliver the child from death. At the end of the fast there is no mention of
a need for water. 4. Dan. 10:2-3 - Most agree that by "pleasant
bread" Daniel means delicacies. Possibly he ate unleavened bread and drank water,
or he may have had fruit and water.
The fact that he felt the need to specify what he was not
eating implies that this was not an absolute fast.
This was a 3 week fast.
The fact that Daniel gave up that which was pleasant to
him, leads some to believe that one can abstain from things other
than food (TV, extra curricula activities, etc.) C. Other scriptures 1. Dan. 2. I Cor. 7:5 - married couples are allowed to
abstain from sex during a fast.
A fast of more than a day should be agreed upon by both
persons. 3. Judges D. When on a long fast (3 or more days) 1. May have some nausea (esp. if have large caffeine
or sugar intake. Fasting
is a means of purifying the body of toxins and poisons. 2. May have weight loss and loss of weight (Ps. 109:24) 3. May find it hard to sleep. This is because the
loss of weight lets an excess of Blood in the body. 4. A long fast can be dangerous to your body, esp.
if not enough water is consumed.
5. Break a short fast (2-6 days) by eating fruit
and drinking orange juice (maybe two meals), then eat light meals,
to get system ready for heavy foods. 6. Break a long fast ( a week or more) by taking
diluted orange juice (50-50) every two hours for a day; then pure
orange juice every two hours for a day.
The next day have three meals of fruit.
Each day add more to meals until body can accept a normal
meal. II. What Fasting Does A. Ps. 69:10
- David said he chastened his soul with fasting. To chasten means to scourge or punish in order
to correct or make better. The
idea here is that David whipped his soul (seat of man's appetites)
into shape by fasting (denying those appetites).
(Ps. 35:13) B. Jer. 14:12 - Will not make God do something
that He does not choose to do. C. Luke 9:23-24 -
Fasting is a way of denying oneself. D. Romans E. Fasting is a spiritual exercise used to cleanse
us so that we are better equipped to hear God and to operate on
His behalf and as the Spirit leads. III. Fasting Should Be Combined With A. Prayer - Matt. 17:21, Luke 2:36 Since the goal in fasting is to be in a better
position to hear God and operate according to His will, it seems
logical that one should spend time during fasting to communicate
with God. B. Ministering to the Lord - Acts 13:1-3 - As the
Disciples spent time in worship and
fasting, the Spirit spoke. IV. Instructions
on Fasting A. Matt. B. Zech 7:1-14 - Though the people had fasted for
many years in the fifth and seventh months, God was not hearing
their prayer. Fasting had
become a ritual. They fasted but refused to hear what God was
saying. They refused to
walk after God's instruction, yet felt that fasting would be pleasing
to God and set things right. Their
lifestyle was insincere and so was their fast.
God said He would not hear when they cried to Him. C. Isaiah 58:1-14 vs. 3-5 - The people are upset because they feel that they have done
that which is required by the law; they have fasted and afflicted
their souls, yet God has not heard them.
God responds by saying that when they fast they 1. spend their time seeking pleasure and making
sure that they as well as their servant get all their work done,
whether it was necessary or not.
In other words they treated the fast day as
any other day. 2. argued and fought on the fast day. They also fasted for wicked things to happen
to one another. 3. did so to try to make God act on their behalf
and to seek public glory. 4. tried to look pitiful so that others would notice
they were fasting and they would appear to be righteous in the
sight of others. verse 6-7 The fast that God desired was to 1. To break the bands of wickedness. Not to indulge in pleasure but to break the
power and wicked desires of the flesh. 2. To show mercy on those who are burdened, help
the oppressed be freed
and break the yokes that hold people captive. 3. meet the needs of others and not shut your eyes
to the needs of your own people.
Also not to cover up one's own faults and try to give a
better impression than there really is. 4. take away the burdens from others (collecting
of debts), stop pointing accusing fingers at others and quit all
boasting. This translates to be merciful to one another,
judge your own sin and faults and not that of another and humble
yourself before God. 5. (verse 10) have compassion on those who are
in need and satisfy the hurting soul. The focus of the acceptable fast is not on getting something
from God for ourselves. But
rather, it is on searching and
judging ourselves and showing mercy and kindness in seeking
to meet and have God meet the needs of others. V. Conclusion Fasting humbles the soul before God and crucifies the appetites,
denying the flesh so that one can be more sensitive to the spirit.
Fasting is good for the health, allowing the body to purge
itself of toxins and poisons. Fasting is good for self-discipline. It forces us to deny ourselves things which
are within our power to buy or to do.
It keeps us from becoming slaves to habits.
If we practice wise fasting, no pleasure would become a
yoke and no habit would become a master.
It teaches us that few things in life are really essential
and that luxuries are not mandatory for a good life.
It teaches us appreciation.
Going without a desire or need being met teaches us to
appreciate it even more when it is met. |