Fasting

Pastor Dan Davis
  • Matt. 4:1,2 Jesus, led by the Spirit, fasted 40 days and 40 nights
  • Matt. 6:16-18 Jesus gives instruction for when, not if, you fast
  • Acts 13:2,3   Serving God and seeking His direction.
  • Isaiah 58   Proper attitude and approach to fasting

Jesus spoke of “when you fast…”, notice that it was not, “if you fast…”. When Jesus was on the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James, and John a man came to the disciples that were down below. The man asked them to heal his son and they were unable to do so. When Jesus returned from the mountain He healed the boy and then moved on with His disciples. The disciples then asked Him privately why they could not heal the boy and Jesus said; This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Fasting is way of focusing on the Spirit while denying the flesh. In a very practical way it is saying to the old fleshly nature, “You are not in charge anymore, at this time we will wait and seek spiritual food before we take of physical food for the body.” Fasting is not a way of turning God but rather it is a focused turning to God. As Isaiah 58 shows our attitude should be one of obedience to the heart of God. In fasting we discipline our bodies as we direct our attention to knowing and obeying God. Generally speaking fasting involves the denying of food and or water. While it can be applied to other physical appetites or needs, the common biblical meaning is abstaining from food or water. Here are 3 types of fasting listed in the Bible:

  1. Food only-Jesus-Matthew 4:2,3
  2. Food and water-Paul-Acts 9:9 “And he was 3 days without sight, and neither ate nor drank”
    1. Queen Esther to Mordecai- 3 days and nights, no food or drink
  3. Select foods-Daniel 1; to not defile themselves, 10; “no delicacies, no meat or wine…for 3 full weeks”May God direct us, refresh us, and show us His will for this season. I am confident that He desires to renew us and lead us through the many opportunities and challenges that are ahead of us.

 

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13,14


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