FASTING

Lesson 1

Introduction To Fasting

Fasting is an essential and vital part of a strong Christian walk. There is much confusion and misunderstanding concerning the subject and practice of fasting in the Body of Christ today. This curriculum is designed to help educate and ground us in the subject of biblical fasting.

WHAT IS FASTING?

To “fast” means to abstain from some or all kinds of food or drink for a period of time. Fasting can also include the abstaining from other types of behavior and is not just limited to food and drink. We understand the term abstinence to refer to a fast of sexual intercourse until marriage.

WHAT IS FASTING?

It should be pointed out there is only one commanded fast in the Bible and it is under the Old Covenant. This fast was to be for one day on the Day of Atonement.

And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: – Leviticus 16:29

The phrase “ye shall afflict your souls,” is a reference to fasting. Also, as you read the Bible and you hear about “solemn assemblies,” this too is another term for fasting. In the original language, “solemn assembly” means “a day of restraint” (Joel 1:14). Though this is the only commanded fast in the entire Bible, and though it only lasted for one day, fasting is a critical part of a strong walk with God. We understand that fasting is a critical part of a healthy Christian life for many New Testament reasons.

NEW TESTAMENT PRECEDENT

Jesus Christ fasted (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2).
Jesus said, “when you fast,” not “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16).
Jesus said when the bridegroom was taken, then His disciples would fast. Jesus is the bridegroom and He has been taken up into the heavens for now. The Church Age is a season of needful fasting (Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35).
Jesus said some devils are only cast out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-29).
The New Testament saints fasted (Acts 9:8-9, 14:23).
Paul taught us to pray and fast (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Fasting is one of the ways a minister can commend himself (2 Corinthians 6:5).
Paul fasted often (2 Corinthians 11:27).

WHAT CAN BE FASTED?

We need to understand that fasting isn’t just limited to food and drink. The Bible teaches us to fast other things in order to keep our appetites under control. This is called living a fasted life.

Daniel fasted pleasant bread, flesh (meat), and wine (tasty drink) for three weeks. (Daniel 10:3). Pleasant bread is any food you like a whole lot. Daniel ate during this time. He refrained from the things his flesh craved but not what was needed for nourishment. He drank liquids, just not wine.
Daniel fasted the king’s meat and wine indefinitely. This can represent fasting anything possibly causing you to pervert judgment (Daniel 1:8-16).
First Corinthians teaches married people to fast sex from time to time (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Philippians teaches us to be known for our moderation (Philippians 4:5).
We should fast sin. Abstain from it or anything even looking like it (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Acts 15:20, 29).
Dr. Mark Barclay encourages Christians to “fast your attractions so that they don’t become distractions.”
Bro. Kenneth Hagin encouraged Christians to live a “fasted life.”
I have known people to fast the news, sports, soft drinks, video games, media, sweets, coffee, etc.

FASTING WITH PROPER MOTIVE

As with any biblical activity, fasting can become a religious, dead work. By this we mean a deed that should accomplish something spiritually powerful but it fails to do so because it is being done with the wrong motive. We must be careful to fast with the right motives and heart condition.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. – Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus was teaching about some pious individuals only fasting to gain recognition from men, not God. We must be careful not to fast for man’s sake (man can’t help us anyway), but we must fast unto the LORD (for He IS our help.)

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. – Luke 18:11-12

This Pharisee thought fasting and tithing was more important than having a good heart. Jesus said this tithing and fasting Pharisee was not justified nor made right just because he fasted and tithed. The LORD looks on the heart.

They say, “To honor you we had special days when we fasted, but you didn’t see. We humbled ourselves to honor you, but you didn’t notice.” But the LORD says, “You do what pleases yourselves on these special days, and you are unfair to your workers. On these special days when you fast, you argue and fight and hit each other with your fists. You cannot do these things as you do now and believe your prayers are heard in heaven.” – Isaiah 58:3-4 NCV

Fasting should be a time of holy consecration unto the LORD. Fasting should change your lifestyle while you are fasting. If you are not prepared to have your daily routine changed up a bit, then you are not ready for a season of fasting.

May the LORD enlighten our eyes to this great spiritual tool called fasting.

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FASTING

Lesson 1

Introduction To Fasting

Fasting is an essential and vital part of a strong Christian walk. There is much confusion and misunderstanding concerning the subject and practice of fasting in the Body of Christ today. This curriculum is designed to help educate and ground us in the subject of biblical fasting.

WHAT IS FASTING?

To “fast” means to abstain from some or all kinds of food or drink for a period of time. Fasting can also include the abstaining from other types of behavior and is not just limited to food and drink. We understand the term abstinence to refer to a fast of sexual intercourse until marriage.

WHAT IS FASTING?

It should be pointed out there is only one commanded fast in the Bible and it is under the Old Covenant. This fast was to be for one day on the Day of Atonement.

And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: – Leviticus 16:29

NEW TESTAMENT PRECEDENT

Jesus Christ fasted (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2).

Jesus said, “when you fast,” not “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16).

Jesus said when the bridegroom was taken, then His disciples would fast. Jesus is the bridegroom and He has been taken up into the heavens for now. The Church Age is a season of needful fasting (Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35).

Jesus said some devils are only cast out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-29).

The New Testament saints fasted (Acts 9:8-9, 14:23).

Paul taught us to pray and fast (1 Corinthians 7:5).

Fasting is one of the ways a minister can commend himself (2 Corinthians 6:5).

Paul fasted often (2 Corinthians 11:27).

WHAT CAN BE FASTED?

We need to understand that fasting isn’t just limited to food and drink. The Bible teaches us to fast other things in order to keep our appetites under control. This is called living a fasted life.

Daniel fasted pleasant bread, flesh (meat), and wine (tasty drink) for three weeks. (Daniel 10:3). Pleasant bread is any food you like a whole lot. Daniel ate during this time. He refrained from the things his flesh craved but not what was needed for nourishment. He drank liquids, just not wine.

Daniel fasted the king’s meat and wine indefinitely. This can represent fasting anything possibly causing you to pervert judgment (Daniel 1:8-16).

First Corinthians teaches married people to fast sex from time to time (1 Corinthians 7:5).

Philippians teaches us to be known for our moderation (Philippians 4:5).

We should fast sin. Abstain from it or anything even looking like it (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Acts 15:20, 29).

Dr. Mark Barclay encourages Christians to “fast your attractions so that they don’t become distractions.”

Bro. Kenneth Hagin encouraged Christians to live a “fasted life.”

I have known people to fast the news, sports, soft drinks, video games, media, sweets, coffee, etc.

FASTING WITH PROPER MOTIVE

As with any biblical activity, fasting can become a religious, dead work. By this we mean a deed that should accomplish something spiritually powerful but it fails to do so because it is being done with the wrong motive. We must be careful to fast with the right motives and heart condition.

Jesus was teaching about some pious individuals only fasting to gain recognition from men, not God. We must be careful not to fast for man’s sake (man can’t help us anyway), but we must fast unto the LORD (for He IS our help.)

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. – Luke 18:11-12

This Pharisee thought fasting and tithing was more important than having a good heart. Jesus said this tithing and fasting Pharisee was not justified nor made right just because he fasted and tithed. The LORD looks on the heart.

Fasting should be a time of holy consecration unto the LORD. Fasting should change your lifestyle while you are fasting. If you are not prepared to have your daily routine changed up a bit, then you are not ready for a season of fasting.

May the LORD enlighten our eyes to this great spiritual tool called fasting.

Listen Along: