Fasting: A Spiritual Journey of Self-Denial and Seeking God

15/11/2023 / By

Title: Fasting: A Spiritual Journey of Self-Denial and Seeking God

Introduction

In the realm of Christianity, fasting is a practice deeply rooted in tradition and faith. As we delve into the scriptures, we encounter numerous instances of individuals and entire nations turning to fasting as a means of drawing closer to God, seeking His guidance, and humbling themselves in His presence. From the Old Testament to the New, fasting has played a significant role in the lives of believers. In this article, we explore the historical and spiritual aspects of fasting, its purpose, and what it means in the context of our faith today.

The Biblical Roots of Fasting

Fasting is not a new concept in the Christian faith. It finds its origins in the Old Testament, where we can observe various figures and communities engaging in this spiritual discipline. These acts of fasting served different purposes, from seeking God’s forgiveness to mourning the loss of loved ones. Let’s examine some of these instances: 

Old Testament Examples:

Moses’ Fasting on Behalf of Israel:
  • In Deuteronomy 9:9, we witness Moses fasting for 40 days on behalf of Israel, a powerful act of intercession. 
  • In Deuteronomy 9:18, 25-29, and 10:10, we see Moses fasting and seeking God’s mercy and guidance for the nation.
David’s Fasting and Mourning:
  • David fasted and mourned the death of Saul (2 Samuel 1:12).
  • David also fasted and mourned the death of Abner (2 Samuel 3:35) and his child (2 Samuel 12:16).
Ahab’s Humble Fasting:
  • Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God after Elijah’s prophecy (1 Kings 21:27-29).
Fasting in Times of Crisis:
  • Darius fasted in concern for Daniel’s safety (Daniel 6:18-24).
  • Daniel fasted while reading Jeremiah’s prophecy, interceding for Judah’s sins (Daniel 9:1-19).
  • Daniel also fasted when confronted with a mysterious vision from God (Daniel 10:3-13).
Esther’s Fasting for Deliverance:
  • Esther fasted on behalf of her people when faced with a life-threatening situation (Esther 4:13-16).
Fasting in Times of Repentance:
  • Ezra fasted and wept for the sins of the returning remnant of Israel (Ezra 10:6-17).
  • Nehemiah fasted and mourned over the broken walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4-2:10).
Nineveh’s Collective Fasting:
  • The people of Nineveh fasted and repented upon hearing Jonah’s message (Jonah 3).
  • New Testament Examples:

In the New Testament, we find that while fasting was neither commanded nor forbidden, it remained a practice embraced by many early Christians. Let’s explore some instances:

Anna’s Fasting for Redemption:
  • Anna fasted and prayed for the redemption of Jerusalem through the coming of Christ (Luke 2:36-37).
Jesus’ Fasting and Temptation:
  • Jesus himself fasted for 40 days before His temptation and the commencement of His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
Disciples of John the Baptist:
  • The disciples of John the Baptist observed fasting as part of their spiritual practices (Matthew 9:14-15).
Elders in Antioch:
  • The elders in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and Barnabas for their missionary journey (Acts 13:1-5).
Cornelius’ Seeking Through Fasting:

Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation (Acts 10:30).

Paul’s Fasting Experiences:

Paul fasted for three days following his Damascus Road encounter (Acts 9:9).

During a perilous sea voyage, Paul and others fasted for 14 days (Acts 27:33-34).

It’s important to note that Jesus Himself affirmed the role of fasting for His followers, saying:

Luke 5:35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast

Furthermore, He emphasized the right attitude while fasting, warning against displaying one’s devotion to gain human approval (Matthew 6:16). 

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Point 1. What is Spiritual Fasting?

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Spiritual fasting, as depicted in the Bible, primarily involves abstaining from food while focusing on prayer. In most biblical cases, individuals engaged in complete food fasts, seeking God’s guidance and drawing nearer to Him. While some opted for partial fasts, such as Daniel, who ate only vegetables, the primary objective remained to shift their focus from earthly concerns to God.

Daniel 1:8-12 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.

However, the scope of fasting is not limited to food alone. Believers can choose to fast from various aspects of their lives to redirect their attention to God. This might involve refraining from certain activities, materials, or habits that may lead to sin or distractions from their spiritual journey.

For example, a believer may choose to fast from social media, television, sweets, or other indulgences. In doing so, they prioritize their time with God and focus on spiritual growth. This resonates with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the significance of the heart and one’s internal disposition during fasting (Matthew 6:16).

Matthew 5:27-30 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Point 2. The Purpose of Spiritual Fasting

While some may associate fasting with dieting, the primary purpose of spiritual fasting is not physical but spiritual. Fasting carries unique spiritual benefits in the life of a believer. When we fast, we exercise self-control and discipline as we deny the natural desires of our flesh. It’s a powerful means of redirecting our attention from earthly matters to God.

Fasting serves the following purposes:

Drawing Closer to God:

Fasting shifts our focus from the physical to the spiritual realm, allowing us to draw closer to God. It clears our minds and bodies of earthly distractions, enabling us to hear God’s voice more clearly.
Fasting demonstrates our profound need for God’s help and guidance. It fosters complete dependence on Him as we abstain from physical sustenance.

Humbling Ourselves:

Fasting can serve as a means of humbling ourselves, softening our hearts when pride or hardness exists. It is an act of submission, acknowledging our reliance on God.

Joel 2:12 "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
Ezra 8:21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

Making Things Happen Through Prayer:

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar ” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him

Fasting can be a powerful way to plead with God to intervene in our lives or in the lives of others.It can be a catalyst for change, seeking God’s favor and guidance.

In certain situations, fasting becomes essential, as some challenges can only be overcome through prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:28-29 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.

It is a spiritual tool that, when employed sincerely and in line with God’s will, yields incredible results.

Psalms 35:13-14 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

Point 3. What Spiritual Fasting is Not

Manipulating God’s Will:

  • Fasting should never be used to manipulate God into doing something that goes against His will or purpose for His kingdom or your life.
John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
  • All requests made through fasting should align with God’s plan and bring glory to Him instead of us.
  • For example:
    • one should fasting for becoming a person worthy of dating & marrying a daughter or son of god, rather than fasting for a particular person to like he or she.
    • one should fasting for clarity to see if a certain job is the best for you rather than crying to God to give you this exact job or else you will be angry with Him.

Public Display of Spirituality:

  • Fasting is an intimate act of devotion and should not be used to showcase one’s spirituality.
  • As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18, fasting should be done privately, between you and God, to receive a reward from Him.
Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

A Substitute for Obedience:

  • Fasting is not a substitute for obeying God’s will or emulating the character of Jesus.
  • Isaiah 58:3-10 emphasizes that true fasting involves actions that reflect God’s heart, such as seeking justice, caring for the oppressed, and showing compassion.
Isaiah 58:3-10 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
 

Punishment or Harm to the Body:

  • Fasting should never be a means of harming or punishing the body.
  • It is an act of devotion, self-control, and spiritual discipline, not a form of self-inflicted suffering.

Point 4. More Questions about Spiritual Fasting

As you embark on a journey of fasting, you might have some questions and concerns:

  • How Long Should I Fast?

Fasting should be limited to a determined length of time, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Seek both medical and spiritual counsel, especially if you plan an extended fast.

  • How Often Can I Fast?

New Testament Christians practiced prayer and fasting regularly, led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Since there is no biblical command to fast, believers should be led by God through prayer concerning when and how often to fast.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that allows believers to draw closer to God, exercise self-control, and seek His guidance and favor. It is a tool for transformation, an act of humility, and a means of demonstrating dependence on the Creator. However, it should be done in accordance with God’s will, in humility, and with the right motives. As you explore the practice of fasting, may it deepen your relationship with God and empower your spiritual journey.