Fasting 101

An introduction to fasting, as God desires it.

I have wondered at times what the purpose of fasting might be in the times of today. We know that the result of fasting can be to focus, if you will, our efforts upon God. In Matthew 17, we are told that some types of demons will not easily be called out of a human. These cases require prayer and fasting. Also, in 1 Corinthians chapter 7, we are told that married couples should be devoted to giving of themselves to each other, unless it is by agreement that, for a short time, they will instead devote their time to prayer and fasting. So, the short answer seemed to be that fasting was done to keep a person's attention more completely on God, to the exclusion of the base urges of the world.

However, a better explanation of what fasting is all about can be found in Isaiah 58:6-12. Let's break this passage down into the description, methods, and then the results....

"[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Isa. 58:6-7

So, we see that the kind of fasting that the Lord desires has a specific purpose. Actually, it is one purpose, but with four different indications here.

Purpose: to provide freedom.

1. Loose the bands of wickedness. We must remember Matthew 18:18 when we hear this. "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Fasting allows us to exercise our spiritual authority to loosen the grip that wickedness might have upon self or others. As we use fasting as a method of putting ourselves to the cross daily, we are exercising the spiritual side of our being, at the expense of the physical.
2. Undo the heavy burdens. Jesus told us, "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light." Mat. 11:28-30. Fasting provides us a method of releasing the heavy weights that sometimes accumulate in our souls. It can allow us a clear sight of what is bothering us, and to give it to the Lord.
3. Let the oppressed go free. In Psalms 9:9, we see that, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." The word oppressed means to be burdened or weighted down, to be pressed against. So, when we are under pressure, God gives us freedom. But, where does this pressure come from? Acts 10:38 show us, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Satanic oppression can be directly resisted and broken through prayer and fasting, as this once again allows us to put our selves to the cross and thus allows Christ to live through us.
4. Break every yoke. A yoke is a type of controlling collar, often used on beasts of burden. It serves two purposes: it allows someone to steer the beasts, and it harnesses the power of the beasts to the purpose of the one in control of the yoke. Satan can use yokes of bondage to the sinful flesh to steer us where he wants us to go (at least in his opinion) and he can harness our actions to try to make what he wants to happen to happen. Paul gave inspired instructions to us in Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Jesus gave us our freedom through His death on the cross. Now, we should make every effort to avoid the snares that still exist all around us. And fasting weakens the flesh while strengthening our spirt.

Methods: How do we fast effectively?

1. Deal thy bread to the hungry. In all things we should seek the will of God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But, here is an easy rule to be applied. If you fast through a meal, give that meal (or it's equal) to those in need of food. If you fast for a day, donate the cash saved to a food bank, or to a needy individual.
2. Bring the poor that are cast out to thy house. Use the time of your fasting to bring those in need into your house. If you can't get them to you, take you to them. Help them to find not only shelter, but the warmth and loving compassion that is part and parcel of the home.
3. When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him. When fasting, don't sit around going on about how much you are suffering due to the hunger and/or thirst. Instead, go out clothe the naked. This doesn't seem to mean just clothing, but to cover the nakedness of one's unregenerated spirit. Deliver the Word of God to people.
4. Hide not thyself from thine own flesh. This one has been debated as to the exact meaning. In my humble opinion, I tend to agree that this is in reference to one's self and one's own family (both physical and spiritual.) During the fasting, you should not make a public display of yourself, lest the fasting be not for God's glory but your own. However, this time could be potentially a fantastic time to not only lift up your family to Jesus, but to be lifted up BY your family. Fasting is a time of physical pressure and spiritual celebration. It should be shared with those closest to you.

Results: Hang on to your hat!

If we read on in Isaiah 58, we now see what happens when a person fasts with prayer unto the Lord:

• Then shall thy light break forth as the morning
• Thine health shall spring forth speedily
• Thy righteousness shall go before thee
• The glory of the LORD shall be thy reward
• Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer
• Thou shalt cry (pray), and he shall say, Here I [am]
• Then shall thy light rise in obscurity
• Thy darkness [be] as the noonday
• The LORD shall guide thee continually
• (Shall) satisfy thy soul in drought
• (Shall) make fat thy bones
• Thou shalt be like a watered garden
• (Shall be) like a spring of water, whose waters fail not
• [They that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places
• Shalt raise up the foundations of many generations
• Thou shalt be called, The Repairer of the Breach
• The Restorer of paths to dwell in

Have you ever seen such a stack of potential blessings? All of this awaits the people that are willing to crucify their flesh, be it for a meal or for 40 days, either an absolute fast of no food or water, no entertainment, no nothing, or a lesser form of fasting, such as what Daniel did (fruits, vegetables and water.) God want us to start learning to walk on our spiritual feet. And fasting and prayer is the beginning of those first baby steps.

Grace and Peace....