It’s the
best kept secret of the American church. Perhaps the church world-wide, but I
think it’s less well known in the west. After all, we are affluent, and we
can’t help that.
But I’d like
to extol the benefits of fasting in this blog. I don’t want to say too much
about my own experience with fasting, because Jesus said we’re not supposed to
brag about it (Matt. 6:16-18). But I’ve had “extensive experience” (is that
boasting?) with it in the 45 years I’ve walked with Christ.
Allow me to
tell you what fasting does for a person.
Fasting
humbles the soul. (Ps.
35:13) There’s no doubt about it! Whether it’s calming fights with your spouse,
or just enabling you to stay out of strife in general, I can’t tell you how
many times I’ve been spared the hardship that comes from verbal altercations.
After all, James 4: 1-6 points out that our fights come from our pride. I
attribute our happy marriage in part to the fasting that has helped me keep my
mouth shut often!
1) We are rich. But we’re to be poor
in spirit. (Matt. 5:3). We have no concept of the poverty that much of the
rest of the world has to live with. But, we can identify with them and with
Christ’s sacrifice, if we fast from food for a time.
2) It makes us grateful! Anyone
can see that abstaining from something will bring thankfulness when we have it
again. I’ve found this to be true with food, rather than living nearly full
most of the time. I really enjoy food more!
3) It allows us to hear from God more
clearly. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4) One thing that got me fasting
from the beginning was a teaching that I heard on just this topic. When we are
satiated, say at Christmas, it is hard to hear the Lord clearly. We become kind
of dull of hearing, and God’s word seems distant. When we fast, however, we can
perceive His word to us clearly and immediately. “Then you will call, and the
Lord will answer; you will cry for help and He will say: ‘Here am I.”’ (Is.
58:9)
4) It brings us out of our
self-centeredness. All humans are self-focused, some due to their
upbringing are more so than others. But all are! When we practice fasting, not
like the Pharisees who did their fasting to be noticed by people, (Matt.
6:16-18) but really humbling ourselves, we get set free from that self-focus.
This goes with my first point about avoiding fights, but it also can bring us
creative ideas about things to do for others too.
5) People fast
for health reasons. It brings the appetite under control, and there are a host
of other secular reasons to fast. How about us, can we not benefit spiritually and physically? Now I used
to think that fasting had to be 40 days to count, or at least a week. But, one
day a week can do wonders for you. After all, the Bible says to rest 1 in 7
days, (Ex. 20:8), so why not rest your digestive system as well? I’m convinced
that many health ailments that afflict Americans could be brought under control
of we would fast.
Isaiah
58:6-12 is a beautiful passage that is filled with promises about people who
fast God’s way. Some of them are:
loosing the chains of injustice, opportunities to share with the poor
and lost, healing, answered prayer, absence of confusion, touching your family,
and guidance from God. We’ll be like a “well-watered garden,” we won’t burn
out, we’ll flourish, and be called “Repairer of the Broken-Down Walls.” I don’t
know about you, but I want and need those things! Doubtless there’s more
embedded in that passage, I am just giving you a tiny taste.
But watch
out! The enemy is very sly. You will (I repeat you will) fall into the
pharisaical attitude of self-righteousness. Again and again. “If I give my body
to be burned, but have not love…” (I Cor.13: 3) So we repent over and over, and
recognize that we are fallen, broken people who need a savior.
Some people
say “Well, what about fasting from TV, or video games, or desserts, or some
such thing?” All I can say about these things is great, go ahead and abstain
from them. But don’t think that that will have the same effect as abstaining
from food. There’s something about denying yourself this very basic need that
speaks to our flesh in an irrefutable way.
“Everything is permissible for me,
but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the body and the body is
for food, but God will destroy them both.” (I Cor. 6:12,13)
Telling
your body that it is not in control is a heady experience. We understand that the flesh wars
against the spirit (Romans 6 & 7). The one you feed the most will win!
Starve the flesh by fasting and praying, seeking God for a time. But again,
beware! Col.2:16-23 warns us that there is not spiritual value in fasting for
its own sake.
Some
practical points:
* Store
up some verses to be ready when you feel hungry, or get discouraged. Such
as “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall
be filled.” (Matt. 5:6); “I humbled my soul with fasting.” (Ps. 35:13); “This
kind only goes out through prayer and fasting.” (Mk. 9:29, Matt, 17:21) Repeat
them to yourself throughout the day. This will make your fast more meaningful,
and combat the “crabbies” that you might otherwise find creep up on you.
* Don’t
expect to lose weight if you fast; when you are done fasting, you will eat
more. But it can help you maintain your present weight, not gain.
* Eat a light
supper the day you fast, if you are just fasting for a day. No meat, (or chocolate I say, usually I obey
this guideline!), just to get something in your stomach before you go to sleep.
* You’ll find
that you forget things when you fast. But God is faithful, and usually it is
just little things that cause us minor inconvenience.
* You can
still exercise. Only in 21st century America do we believe that
we might die if we have to go a few hours without food! I’ve fasted 3 days and
run 2 ½ miles effortlessly. Repeat this to yourself “ I WILL NOT DIE!”
Sometimes you can even exercise more easily without the burden of having to
digest all that food; yes, you actually have MORE energy!
* You might
get headaches and/or slight nausea. I usually tough it out, and they go away.
Or take a little pain killer. If you are on a medication that needs to be taken
with food, then for gosh sakes, eat something. Recently I’ve taken to drinking
one caffeinated drink so I don’t get a headache when I fast.
* There
are still benefits when you fail. Even a little fast if you are seeking the
Lord, can help. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail! (Notice I said when, not
if)
* If you
struggle with anorexia or bulimia, DON’T fast! Get help for these things first.
Jesus
assumed that all his followers would fast, he said “WHEN you fast…”
(Matt 6:16-18), and it is practiced throughout Acts. Throughout church history,
many saints and people fasted. In modern times people such as Jim Elliot and
Bill Bright fasted regularly. It truly makes a difference in one’s personal
walk with God.
In fact, I am of the opinion that if
everyone who loved God fasted regularly, it would wake up the lukewarm Western
church. What a powerful thing it is!
