5 Breakthroughs Fasting Can Unleash in Your Life by KEITH NIX for Charisma News
Why fast? Is it required? Is it beneficial? Is it an antiquated practice that is no longer valid for Christians? Many today believe that fasting is a religious work of the flesh that only speaks of bondage since Jesus finished the work at Calvary. Some do indeed approach fasting with legalistic religious vigor and place their confidence in their discipline rather than in the power of God. Others view fasting as a valuable tool in weight reduction but of no significant spiritual value. What does the Bible say?
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes wrote, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (4:12c). Jesus gave His disciples (I hope that includes you) the formula of a threefold cord for our lives. Matthew records where Jesus said, “When you give … when you pray … when you fast …” Matt. 6:2,5,12 NLT). Notice that Jesus didn’t make these three acts optional for a believer. His instruction wasn’t if, but when. So, giving, praying and fasting for the believer is not optional. Neither does God treat them like extra credit. They are core elements of the Christian life.
There is an assumption that disciples will have periods of fasting in their journey of following Christ. In fact, when you look at the New Testament believers, it is easy to see that fasting is a standard practice. Paul, the great apostle, said that he was “in fastings often” (2 Cor. 11:27b). So the New Testament positively affirms fasting is a regular part of life for believers. But it is important to note that the New Testament doesn’t give specific instruction regarding how long someone must fast or how often. These things are left up to the local church and the individual as the Holy Spirit leads.
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What Is Fasting?
What exactly is fasting? The word specifically means to do without food for a spiritual reason. It is more than dieting. People almost always lose weight as a result, but the goal of fasting is first and foremost to make the soul and spirit trim and fit, not the body. So, the focus of any true fast must be spiritual, not natural. You may undoubtedly fast social media or any number of things other than food, but fasting is first and foremost doing without food for a spiritual reason.
Fasting dethrones king stomach and further enthrones King Jesus in our lives. Ed Cole said it this way, “A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God’s commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands.” We fast to offer ourselves to God not to force Him to move.
What you fast depends on the leading of the Spirit in your life. Whatever you give up be assured, if it matters to you, it will matter to God. But don’t use this liberty as an opportunity for spiritual laziness. My beautiful daughter, Isabella, told me last year during a fast that she would be fasting “water” since she doesn’t like it anyway. I laughed and instructed her that true fasting doesn’t work that way. What you give up needs to cost you something, or else stomach is never dethroned.
Why Fast?
Of course, we fast because it is part of the Christian life. But then we must ask ourselves what the purpose of our fasting is? What do we hope the outcome of this time will be? The Bible includes many examples of powerful results that come from fasting. Following are five that we believe will be released in us individually and corporately during this season of fasting:
