BIBLE STUDY ON FASTING, ISAIAH 58:5-11, EXPLANATION, TEACHING
Fasting, Bible study (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-17), teaching
Fasting is one of the most powerful and effective forces that we can use against the enemy. Fasting solidifies the life of Christianity into a fruitful and productive one. The rewards that accompany fasting are numerous, only a few of which we will be able to cover in this article.
One goal of this Bible study on fasting is to point out the importance, effectiveness, and essentiality of fasting. Biblical material and practical examples reinforce the need to make fasting a practice. Many things are achieved through fasting that cannot be achieved by anything else. Victories are won, power is received, and releases are made through this medium.
Strange is that man fell through eating, a natural reaction to the unconscious, instinctive and innate sensation of hunger. Strange still is the connection between excessive eating and drinking and man’s wantonness in sin.
Paul discovered Israel’s trap in that they sat down to eat and drink and got up to play (1 Corinthians 10:7). Paul warned that if there is no resurrection then we eat and drink because tomorrow we will die (1 Corinthians 15:32).
We must renew the discipline of fasting in our lives
Certainly no one will condemn the legitimate practice of eating and drinking. The problem is that the excess abounds due to the lack of the discipline of fasting. That through this article, God can put the feeling of renewing the discipline of fasting in our lives.
JESUS’ RESPONSE ON FASTING
Jesus is questioned by the disciples of John the Baptist concerning fasting (Matthew 9:14-17). John’s disciples asked why they had to fast while Jesus’ disciples did not. Jesus answered them with three truths that we need to understand:
1) Those who are at weddings do not fast while the bridegroom is with them.
2) A patch of new cloth is not put on an old dress
3) New wine is not put into old wineskins
Jesus Christ was and is the husband. While he was here on earth with his disciples it was not necessary for them to fast, but after he ascended to heaven it became necessary for them to fast.
Jesus had to leave before the Holy Spirit could come into our lives (John 14:26; 16:7-13), but such a powerful experience could not be contained in old garments and wineskins. The Holy Spirit, accompanied by prayer and fasting, needed renewed, regenerated vessels which He now provides. While we await the return of the husband we must keep our glasses and lamps full (Matthew 25:1-13) and this can only be achieved through fasting and other biblical disciplines.
A LOOK AT FASTING THROUGH TIME
In relation to the question of the disciples of John the Baptist, next let’s look at what fasting has been from the Old Testament to the present day and even the thousand-year reign of Christ.
Fasting in the Old Testament until John the Baptist
Fasting was a common practice throughout the Old Testament. This is why the disciples of John the Baptist could not understand why the disciples of Jesus did not fast.
Fasting during the time of Jesus
Jesus, the bridegroom, was present with them, therefore it was NOT necessary for them to fast at this time. This was only for a short time.
Fasting in the church age
The husband is gone, so we are commanded to fast in the New Testament.
Fasting in the Millennium
The wife will be with us, so we won’t have to fast at this time. Furthermore, the church will have a transformed body. The saved of Israel will not have to fast because the husband will be with them.
WHAT IS FASTING ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE?
Many definitions of fasting can be found, but the following should suffice to define what fasting is:
1) The dictionary states that fasting is abstaining from eating all or certain kinds of food, eating very little or nothing.
2) Fasting comes from the Hebrew word TSUWM, which means covering one’s mouth to fast.
3) The Greek word for fasting is NESTIS, which means not eating, abstaining from food.
It is important to mention that fasting is NOT:
1) A diet process
2) Missing a meal or two because we’re too busy to eat
3) Being without food because we are too poor to buy it
4) A hunger strike to get someone or the government to do something
5) An act to obtain physical health. Although fasting is healthy, we fast for other reasons; this is a secondary benefit.
Fasting is:
1) A mental and vocal declaration to abstain from food in order to gain spiritual strength, answers, and direction for ourselves and others.
2) Fasting can and does help to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-48)
3) Certain types of demons cannot be cast out except with fasting and prayer (Mark 9:14-19)
4) Our fast must be done before God (Zechariah 7:5; Matthew 6:18)
5) Fasting helped Daniel and his companions gain skills, understanding, and wisdom (Daniel 9:2-3; 21-22).
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FAST
Fasting can be achieved through two methods in our lives. Whatever the method, the ideal is always to try to fast.
1) Fast for inspiration
The Holy Spirit prompts us to fast for some unknown need to us at the time, we just feel a burden, need or desire to fast. This is the easiest way to fast because we have a strong feeling to do it. However, we should not completely depend on this method. If we do so, our seasons of inspiration can be far apart.
2) Fast for commitment
Dedication and consecration to God demands that we fast simply because we have been commanded to do so. The spiritual disciplines cannot be carried out in the believer’s life by inspiration alone. Self-control is an essential point for the Christian; this is especially so in the call to fast. Regulate yourself to fasting and fast when your leader tells you to. Don’t wait on others; make your own commitments and save them. Whatever method motivates you to fast, blessings await you.
EXAMPLES OF FASTING IN THE BIBLE
Add to these personal experiences, experiences of others, and other examples of fasting in the Bible.
1) Moses: He fasted 40 days on Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:9)
2) David: Humbled his soul through fasting (2 Samuel 12:16: Psalm 35:13; 69:10;109:24)
3) Elijah: He fasted forty days (1 Kings 19:8)
4) Ezra: Others fasted for him for protection and guidance on his return from Persia to Israel (Ezra 8:21-23). He fasted without bread or water for the sins of Israel.
5) Nehemiah: Wept, mourned and fasted for the wall of Jerusalem that was torn down (Nehemiah 1:4)
6) Israel: On many occasions the Israelites fasted nationally (Nehemiah 9:1-3)
7) Nineveh: The king, animals and citizens fasted without food or water (Jonah 3:1-10)
8) Daniel: While confessing to God during a fast, God gave him the vision of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27). During a 21-day fast (Daniel 10:1-21), the prince of Persia prevented the angel from coming with the answer. Study this event closely, you will better understand the struggles you are having in prayer and fasting.
9) Ana: She served God with fasting and prayer day and night (Luke 2:36-37).
10) Jesus: He fasted for forty days (Matthew 4:1-11). Notice that Jesus defeated Satan with the power of the word.
11) Cornelius: He fasted four days, Peter came and Cornelius and all his household received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:30-48)
12) The church in Antioch: Fasted and prayed when they sent men as missionaries (Acts 13:1-4)
13) Paul: He fasted three days before his conversion (Acts 9:9). He fasted frequently (1 Corinthians 11:27)
FASTING ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, WHAT WE SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO WHEN WE FAST
Here are some biblical guidelines to follow which will make our fasting more effective. These guidelines will be taken from Isaiah 58:3-12 and Matthew 6:16-18. Brief quotes from each, in context, will be highlighted. Only brief comments can accompany each one due to the length of the topic, but you are free to further investigate each item mentioned on your own.
What we should not do when we fast
1) Indulge in pleasures and specify all your work
Israel demanded that the servants work without giving them time to pray, meditate or study the word of God. Put aside pleasure and as much work or business as possible in order to get the most out of the fast.
2) Fasting to argue or debate
Praising yourself like the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14), is not something acceptable before God
3) To wound with the fist iniquitously
Israel continued in their evil deeds and mistreatment of others. Sin must be eradicated from our lives for fasting to be pleasing to God. This applies to a saint who persists in hypocritical conduct. Fasting can help you conquer weaknesses in his life.
4) Having an appearance of sadness
Being sad and attracting sympathy from others destroys the effectiveness of fasting. In this we have our reward.
5) Disfigure the face
Distorted facial features to show others that you are fasting is wrong
6) Show men that you are fasting
Seeking to impress men is the wrong motive. We must seek to impress God.
What we must do when we fast
1) Untie the bonds of impiety
Disengage ourselves from whatever we are doing wrong
2) Skip the burdens of oppression
Putting aside not only physical burdens but also spiritual ones
3) Let the broken go free
Give men freedom, forgive their transgressions and offenses and treat our fellow men fairly.
4) Break every yoke
Put aside all weight and the sin that besieges us, breaking every yoke that binds us and stops us from being spiritual.
5) Sharing bread with the hungry
Giving literal and spiritual bread to…