Understanding of Fasting and What Jesus Loves About It
1. Fasting is a Form of Worship
Fasting is more than just abstaining from food; it’s an act of worship. By denying yourself physical nourishment, you’re saying to God, "You are more important to me than food." It’s a way of showing that your dependence is not on earthly things but on God’s provision.
In Matthew 4:4 (KJV), Jesus says:
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Jesus reminds us that God’s Word is our true sustenance, more than physical food. When we fast, we acknowledge that our spiritual life is more vital than our physical desires.
2. Fasting Strengthens Your Spirit
When you fast, your body becomes weak, but your spirit grows stronger. Fasting clears away distractions and allows you to hear God more clearly. It teaches you self-discipline, which is essential for spiritual growth.
In Galatians 5:16-17 (KJV), Paul says:
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."
Fasting helps you to walk in the Spirit and overcome the desires of the flesh. It strengthens your inner man so that you can be more in tune with God’s will.
3. Jesus Showed Us the Example of Fasting
One of the deepest lessons we can learn about fasting is by looking at Jesus’ own life. Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2). This was a time of preparation, where Jesus faced temptations from the devil but overcame them through the power of God’s Word.
Fasting was a way for Jesus to draw near to His Father, to be empowered for the work ahead, and to resist the temptations of the enemy. His example teaches us that fasting prepares us for spiritual challenges, gives us strength, and opens the door for greater power in our ministry and daily life.
4. Fasting Releases God’s Power for Breakthrough
Fasting has the power to release supernatural breakthroughs. It is often in times of fasting that we see God's intervention in a mighty way. When you fast, you align yourself with God's purposes, and this invites His power into your situation.
In Isaiah 58, we find a detailed explanation of the kind of fasting that pleases God:
"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?" (Isaiah 58:6, KJV).
This passage teaches that fasting has the power to break spiritual chains, release people from oppression, and destroy the yokes of bondage. It is not just a ritual but a spiritual weapon that God uses to bring freedom and deliverance.
5. Fasting Leads to Personal and Spiritual Transformation
One of the deeper purposes of fasting is personal transformation. It humbles your soul and brings you into a deeper dependence on God. In fasting, you confront your weaknesses and rely on God for strength. This results in spiritual growth and a renewed sense of intimacy with God.
David says in Psalm 69:10 (KJV):
"When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach."
Here, David speaks of how fasting disciplines the soul, leading to repentance and a deeper sense of humility before God. When you fast, God begins to transform your heart, renewing your mind, and deepening your faith.
6. Fasting Prepares You for God’s Purpose
Fasting prepares you for new seasons of life and ministry. When you are seeking God’s will for an important decision or facing a new challenge, fasting sharpens your spiritual sensitivity and makes you ready for what’s coming next.
In Acts 14:23 (KJV), we see that fasting was used when appointing leaders:
"And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
Fasting was a part of seeking God’s direction and entrusting leaders into His hands. It is an important practice when you are preparing for new roles, responsibilities, or decisions.
7. Fasting Brings Us into Alignment with God’s Will
One key purpose of fasting is to bring our desires in line with God's will. Sometimes we may pray for things that are outside of God’s perfect plan for us. Fasting helps to align our hearts with His purposes, allowing His will to be done in our lives.
Jesus demonstrated this in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He submitted to the Father’s will:
"Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39, KJV).
Fasting teaches us to surrender our desires to God’s greater plan. It clears away the noise and allows us to seek God’s will wholeheartedly.
8. Fasting with the Right Heart Brings Rewards
Jesus emphasizes that when we fast, we should do it with a sincere heart, seeking God, not for the praise of people. When fasting is done with a humble spirit, God sees it and rewards it.
In Matthew 6:17-18 (KJV), Jesus says:
"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."
The reward may not always be material, but fasting brings spiritual blessings: greater intimacy with God, answered prayers, and spiritual empowerment.
9. Fasting is a Form of Sacrifice That Honors God
Fasting is often seen as a sacrifice, where we willingly give up something valuable (like food or comfort) to honor God and seek His presence. This act of self-denial pleases God because it shows that we are willing to put Him first, above all other things.
In Romans 12:1 (KJV), Paul says:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
When we fast, we present ourselves as living sacrifices, showing that we are willing to endure discomfort in order to grow spiritually and draw closer to God. It’s a sign of total surrender to God’s will.
10. Fasting Helps to Gain Clarity and Focus
Life can be full of distractions, and sometimes it becomes difficult to hear God clearly. Fasting helps to eliminate these distractions and allows us to focus solely on God. In moments of confusion, fasting can provide spiritual clarity and direction.
In 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (KJV), King Jehoshaphat called for a fast when Judah was facing a great threat from their enemies:
"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."
By fasting, the people of Judah focused all their attention on seeking God, and He gave them clear direction and delivered them from their enemies.
This teaches us that in times of uncertainty, fasting can sharpen our spiritual focus and help us hear God’s voice more clearly.
11. Fasting is a Pathway to Healing
Fasting is also associated with healing, both physical and spiritual. In Isaiah 58, God connects fasting with healing and restoration. When done with the right heart, fasting can lead to breakthroughs in areas where you need healing or deliverance.
Isaiah 58:8 (KJV) says:
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward."
This verse suggests that fasting can be a key to experiencing God's healing power in your life. Whether it’s healing from physical sickness or spiritual wounds, fasting brings you into a place where God’s healing can flow more freely.
12. Fasting Builds Faith and Trust in God
When you fast, you learn to trust God in a deeper way. By giving up food or other comforts, you are placing your full dependence on Him. This act of trust strengthens your faith and helps you to rely on God’s provision.
In Matthew 17:20-21 (KJV), Jesus connects fasting with faith:
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Jesus teaches that fasting, combined with faith, can move mountains and cast out even the most difficult spiritual strongholds. It strengthens your faith to believe that nothing is impossible with God.
13. Fasting is a Way to Show Repentance
In the Bible, fasting is often associated with repentance and turning back to God. When people realized they had strayed from God's will, they fasted as a way to show their sorrow for sin and to seek His mercy.
In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh fasted when they heard Jonah's message of judgment. They sought God’s mercy through fasting and repentance, and God spared their city.
Jonah 3:5 (KJV) says:
"So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them."
This teaches that fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and express true repentance, leading to forgiveness and restoration.
14. Fasting Prepares Us for Revival
Fasting is often linked to spiritual revival, both personally and corporately. When God’s people fast and pray with sincere hearts, it opens the way for revival and a fresh move of God’s Spirit. Throughout the Bible, times of fasting often led to renewal and a deepening of faith among God’s people.
In the book of Joel, the prophet calls the people to fast in preparation for the Lord’s outpouring:
"Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord" (Joel 1:14, KJV).
Fasting, combined with prayer, sets the stage for God to move in a powerful way. It prepares our hearts to receive His revival and blessing.
How to Begin Fasting with Understanding
Start with Prayer: Before you begin fasting, seek God in prayer to know what kind of fast He is leading you to. Ask for strength and guidance as you prepare your heart for the fast.
Choose the Type of Fast: You can do a complete fast (abstaining from all food), a partial fast (giving up certain types of food), or even a fast from distractions like social media or entertainment. Choose the fast that God places on your heart.
Set Your Purpose: Have a clear reason for your fast. Whether you’re seeking guidance, breakthrough, healing, or spiritual growth, be intentional about your purpose during the fast.
Stay in the Word and Prayer: Fasting is most effective when paired with consistent prayer and reading of the Word. Use the time you would normally spend eating or engaging in distractions to focus on God.
Expect God to Move: As you fast with a sincere heart, expect that God will respond. Whether through answered prayers, spiritual breakthrough, or deeper intimacy with Him, believe that God honors your fast and will reward you in His timing.
Conclusion By Pastor Brown: Walking in the Power of Fasting
Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool that has been used by believers throughout history to draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and experience His power. Jesus taught us the importance of fasting and demonstrated its power through His own life. As we fast with sincere hearts, we can expect to grow spiritually, gain victory over the enemy, and experience God’s presence in deeper ways.
Remember, fasting is not about earning favor with God, but about aligning your heart with His purposes, humbling yourself before Him, and seeking His will above all else. As you commit to fasting, may you experience the transforming power of God in every area of your life.
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