Fasting For Christians
by Jym Wells
04/15/2015
Fasting For Christians
What is fasting? according to the Bible, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, or from sleep, sex, or TV, the computer etc. For the purpose of focusing on a period of spiritual growth. Fasting for Christians is specifically, when we humble and deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life.
Fasting Is To Bring Us To a Deeper Understanding on God
Fasting isn’t some kind of a job or work that’s commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn’t mean that fasting isn’t recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions [Acts 13:4; 14:23]. Fasting and prayer are often linked together [Luke 2:37; 5:33]. To many time, the reason of fasting is on doing without food. However, the purpose of fasting is for us to stop looking worldly thing, we should be looking at and for God. Fasting is a way for us to show God and ourselves that we are serious about how we feel about our relationship with or Father. Now in scripture fasting is almost always from food, there are other ways to fast. Something that you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God. The giving up of most anything that you do regularly can be considered a fast [1 Corinthians 7:5]. Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Long periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish our immortal body, instead to see God clearer.
Fasting Should Not Be a Method For Losing Weight
We should not fast to lose weight, However rather to gain a deeper understanding and relationship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God. Even unplugging the television for a period of time can be an effective fast.
Yes, it’s a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, however it’s highly recommended. The primary Biblical reason for fasting is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the desires of this world or the enemy, we can see Christ better. When one is fasting, one should not look melancholy or gloomy as does the hypocrites do, for they distort or mar their faces to show men they are fasting. The truth is, they have received their reward. However when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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” [Matthew 6:16-18].
So let your light break through like the morning, your healing shall spring forth, and ones righteousness shall go before them; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you can cry, and He will say to you, ‘Here I am’ [Isaiah 58:8-9].
May God be with you and watch over you. And America it is time for us to BLESS GOD again…
1 Corinthians 9:19 [NKJV] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
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