FASTING (Excerpts at wayoflife.org) Biblical fasting is abstinence from food and perhaps other legitimate pleasures in order to concentrate on a definite spiritual problem or need. It is done in conjunction with confession of sin and prayer. Warnings about Fasting 1. Biblical fasting is not for show (Matthew 6:16-18). God hates hypocritical religion, which is man’s attempt to appear holy before other men without possessing true holiness before God. 2. Biblical fasting is not an empty religious ritual (Luke 18:12). This is the statement of a Pharisee who was practicing religion in an attempt to justify himself before God. He observed a regular period of fasting. Nowhere, though, does the Bible require such a practice. Fasting is not a ritual observed once a week, or once a month, or prior to the Lord’s Supper, etc. Fasting, rather, is something that is practiced when a special need arises and when the Holy Spirit leads. 3. Biblical fasting is not for physical health. Though various sorts of fastings may or may not promote better health, this is never the purpose given in the Bible for fasting. …. We cannot say that fasting is or is not good for the health, and we cannot say it either is wrong or right to fast for health. We are saying, simply, that the Bible does not speak of fasting in light of health. 4. Biblical fasting is not an empty ascetic practice (Colossians 2:20-23). Some false teachers in Paul’s day were practicing fasting because they believed it made them holy. They taught that salvation and sanctification were attained by following a list of rules. The Roman Catholic monastic system adopted this error. The monastics locked themselves away from society and beat themselves and starved themselves. . But this is a false gospel. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, and sanctification and spiritual victory is not through asceticism but through obedience to the simple New Testament faith by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Fasting is an important part of the Christian life and ministry, but we must be careful that we do not think that spirituality comes through punishing the body and observing various rituals and dietary laws. True spirituality is being in a right relationship with and fellowship with Jesus Christ. 5. Fasting does not necessarily guarantee that one’s prayers will be answered. God is always sovereign in answering prayer, and we must always submit to His will. 6. Fasting is not a matter of law but of liberty. It is a personal matter. Fasting is important and useful in Christian life and service, but it is not something that can be commanded and it is not something by which we are to judge the spiritual condition of others. There are no rigid guidelines for fasting in the Bible. God has not given specific instructions about fasting because it is to be a private matter between an individual and the Lord. A nursing mother, for example, would be unwise to go entirely without food for any significant length of time, because not only is she dependent upon that food, but her infant is also. People with health problems such as diabetes must be very careful about fasting. God has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psa. 32:8). This promise applies to fasting. God will guide me as to when to fast, and how long, and from what should I abstain. Fasting is a matter of individual freedom under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It can be one meal or many meals, according to the need of the hour and the direction of God.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:22:23 +0000