Firstly I would like to say that fasting is not impossible. Somehow we have a tendency to believe the lie that fasting is not for us, but for super-Christians or intercessors only. As followers of Jesus, we are called to a lifestyle of prayer and fasting.
Fasting: dying to the flesh and yeilding to the Spirit; the decision of showing that God is better than food; being firm in loyalty; being hungry; humbling yourself to know who God is verses who you are; etc...the list goes on.
In Isaiah 58, fasting is to (1) loosen the bonds of wickedness; (2) undo heavy burdens; (3) help
the oppressed go free; (4) give bread to the hungry; (5) receive the light of revelation in God’s
Word; (6) for emotional and physical health; and (7) that righteousness would break forth. (taken from Mike Bickle) When you are fasting, you get hungry (obviously), and you become thankful. When I was in Africa, the Lord repeatedly showed me how much more thankful I was when I was living a simple life there. It can be difficult to live simply or experience that here in America, but it doesn't have to be. When you're fasting, you could feel hunger within a few hours and the experience has already begun. I believe this is one of the reasons Jesus calls us to fasting. We are called to be thankful ALWAYS! If you look at children, the ones who are spoiled are usually the least thankful. But praise the Lord we don't have to remain that way!
Fasting is choosing the opportunity to eat straight out of the palm of God's hands!
Fasting brings up un-dealt with issues in your life. Usually we have the strength and capacity to place filters on our mouths and reactions when around people, but when in weakness, it is easier to see reactions directly from the heart. No one enjoys seeing their issues brought to light, but this brings the opportunity for Jesus to fix the root of the issue and fill that place with the Holy Spirit and with Truth.
Fasting humbles you. It brings you to the reality that you are weak without the strength of the Spirit of Life. The strongest man alive would become weak quickly without food, there are no exceptions. Fasting brings an opportunity to trust God. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." These choice words by Jesus were applied into another context, but it is truth nonetheless. Our body is weak, and when we fast it brings us to that realization. When we then focus on our spirit, we see that it is so willing to pray and be in alignment with the Father.
Fasting without prayer turns into a body pouting in its lack of food.
If the whole time you are fasting you are thinking and talking about food and when you are going to eat it, then maybe the flesh is getting too much of your attention..Ask the Lord to set you mind on things above and you just might even forget you hadn't eaten.
John 6:25-59
vs. 27 says "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Also, I have personally found that fasting with friends brings great encouragement and accountability :)
Happy Fasting!
Thanks for this, Random Facebook Friend. Haha
ReplyDeleteI've realized similar things recently. There are a few oppressive chains in my life that I have spent forever trying to break on my own--chains of temptation, pride, and sin--and it was only recently that I realized that I'm never going to break them with my own hands. I don't have the power to do anything on my own, much less attempt to alter such embedded aspects of my character and behavior.
Fasting has helped in the process. It has given me focus and motivation, sure, but I think most importantly it has removed certain distractions that have made it easier for me to ignore the ever-present need that all of us have of being filled with and led by the Spirit.
Only God's Spirit can break chains. Only God is capable of changing me. Without Him, I am less than nothing.
Wow these are wise words. Thank you for this truth.
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you. I think that many people are often all too quick to turn Christianity into a self-help sort of moralism. The end result is that many Christian's are dedicated to "pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps" and altering their behavior to match the commandments of God.
DeleteActing in a manner that is in proper accord with the will and commandments of God IS something that we are meant to do, but we would do well to remember that we have no righteousness to call our own and are entirely incapable of even attempting to please God with our lives without God completely taking over control of our lives for us. Fasting can also be interpreted, I think, as a means of expressing this kind of radical life-submission.
Have you read Matt Chandler's The Explicit Gospel? I just picked it up recently and finished it. Some of your comments on fasting reminded me of it in an off-hand way, and I think you might enjoy it.