Chapter 55: Fasting - Third Peter

Fasting is an important spiritual discipline practiced by people in the Old Testament, our Lord, and followers of Christ. It is a form of self-denial that helps us focus on the Lord and prayer. Fasting does not earn “points” with God or make us more acceptable in His eyes. Instead, it is meant to help us grow relationally with the Lord.

Jesus taught that fasting is a normal part of kingdom life.

In his sermon on the mount, he told us how to fast.

And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get.¹⁷But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

Fasting helps us understand that what we need most in life is God Himself, not what He provides.

It helps us to step back from what usually fills our time and thoughts during a normal day so that we can come aside to seek the Lord without distraction. It is a reminder that, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4 NASB)

God has no difficulty speaking to us, but we often have a hard time accurately hearing what He is saying because we are so distracted with the business and cares of ordinary life.

Fasting helps to open our hearts and minds to God.

God wants us to hunger for him more than for food. He will fill the hungry heart.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  John 6:35 (NASB95) —

Usually, we must be desperate to be motivated to deprive ourselves of food. This desperation may stem from our facing an emergency or having a pressing need, but what a blessing it is if our desperation originates from a deep desire to know God better.

Whatever might be our motivation to fast, God promises that if we seek him, we will find Him.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Matthew 7:7–8 (NASB95) —

We get insight into God’s purpose for fasting in Isaiah 58.

"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? ⁷"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸"Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. ⁹"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, ¹⁰And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. ¹¹"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. ¹²"Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:6-12 (NASB)

Fasting is meant to turn our hearts toward the things that move God to compassion and away from what bring grief and pain to Him, such as our selfishness and sin.

Fasting temporarily separates us from the food that brings comfort and nourishment to us so that we might become part of God’s solution for those who are hurting and helpless. Fasting can be a gateway into practical service, which is evidence the gospel is having sway in our lives.

It is a good idea to fast when faced with critical needs and challenges that only God can meet.

It helps us come to terms with how much we need God’s help. Old Testament saints frequently fasted and prayed when only God could save them, and He did.

So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.  Ezra 8:23 (NASB95) —

Fasting helps to hone our spiritual “edge” so that we can avoid becoming “dull of hearing” and slow to obey.

Daniel the prophet sought the Lord regarding Israel’s return from Babylonian captivity. He wanted the Lord to reveal to him more about his plan.

During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.  Daniel 9:2–3 (NLT) —

God sent his angel with the answer.

I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.  Daniel 9:20–22 (NLT) —

Often fasting is appropriate prior to taking some big step of faith. We want to make sure that we are hearing God correctly before launching out.

Jesus fasted for forty days before launching his public ministry. Paul spent time fasting after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, after which he received his commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas were part of a group which was fasting and worshiping when they received a commission from the Holy Spirit to go on their first missionary journey.

There are all sorts of ways to fast. One can abstain completely from all food and water or just from food. Some people fast a meal, some all or part of a day, and others fast for several days at a time. How we fast is a matter of what God is speaking to our hearts, our own choice, and what is medically wise for us. Long fasts need to be done with some knowledge of how to stay properly hydrated and nourished and how to properly conclude the fast without producing undesirable effects on our digestive system. Diabetics and those who must eat on a regular schedule may be unable to fast in a traditional sense and choose to fast from other things that will help them focus more on seeking God, such as TV, reading, hobbies, etc.