What is fasting and why do Christians fast? There are so many false teachings surrounding fasting, but studying the Bible will quickly expose them for the lies that they are. Indeed, while some are born out of misguided efforts to impress God, many of them are simply money-making ploys.
Sister Grace, burdened by myriad challenges which she has diagnosed as “spiritual”, goes to see a “man of God” who tells her that in order to receive solutions to her problems, she will have to fast for 40 days. However, if she cannot do the fasting, the “man of God” will undertake the fast for her…for a fee.
That scenario, and its many variants, clearly show the lie into which many Christians who lack knowledge have bought. Here are 5 things you should know about fasting:
1. Fasting is about God, not food: Fasting is abstaining from food, pleasure and sometimes work and other activities in order to separate yourself for prayer, study and waiting on Jehovah. However, it’s all too easy to make fasting about food. The focus should not be on the abstinence from food but on devotion to God. Fasting increases your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, allowing you to hear God more clearly. Acts 13:2, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Oh, to hear so clearly! Many Christians take part in corporate fasting and instead of focusing on God, they end up simply starving. There’s no spiritual benefit in that.
2. Fasting is for your own benefit: Fasting is not a tool to arm-twist God into doing what He wouldn’t ordinarily have done. Fasting is not something to be exchanged for blessings. Fasting subdues your flesh so that it doesn’t get in the way of effectual, fervent prayer. It is a time to minister to the LORD without food and other fleshly indulgences bogging you down. When you fast the way God described in Isaiah 58, you will experience the amazing rewards He outlined.
3. Fasting is not a way to avoid having sex with your spouse: Many wives (and some husbands!) are quick to reach for 1 Corinthians 7:5 as an excuse to deprive their partners of sex. 40 days fasting equals 40 days sex free, hallelujah! Sorry to burst your bubble; the Bible does not say in that verse (or anywhere else) that fasting is a reason for denying your spouse sex. It says, “DO NOT refuse and deprive and defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by MUTUAL CONSENT for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire.” If your spouse isn’t in agreement, God is not either.
4. Fasting does not take the place of obedience: There are clear instructions and principles in the Word that must be followed. If God has stated what you should do, you can’t wiggle your way out of it by fasting any more than you can do so by “seeds” and offerings. You can’t impress God by sacrificing your food, if you’re not walking in obedience. You’re wasting your time. Saul tried to ignore obedience, and the prophet Samuel asked him, “”What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
5. Fasting pleases God: When done right, that is. True fasting is not merely mechanical. It’s your heart God wants, and when you put aside distractions and give your attention wholly to Him and to sharing his love with those in need, “the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58:11)
About the author: Joy Ehonwa is a writer, editor and online proofreader who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a copy-editing, ghostwriting and transcription business, and blogs at www.anafricandiva.wordpress.com and www.girlaware.wordpress.com
