CENTRAL THOUGHT
Fasting done in line with scriptures is acceptable unto the Lord.
HYMN: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
INTRODUCTION
Fasting was practiced in the scriptures by the people of God. The Lord Jesus took out time
to teach about it and outline its potency (Matt.17:21). He gave it practical emphasis by fasting for 40 days and 40 rights. (Matt. 4:2).
To fast means to abstain from food and pleasure over a period of time, to seek the face of God in prayers. From the examples in scriptures, there should a reason for the fast, and it must be accompanied with prayers. Being a powerful spiritual weapon, it has been abused in various ways. This teaching is to remind believers of the need to fast, how to fast, and the benefits of fasting as a Godly exercise. Fasting is not a bribe to God, but an attempt to subject the flesh to rule of the Spirit, in order to commune with God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.) To explain what it means to fast and why we should fast. 2.) To identify Christian attitudes and behavior that should complement fasting. 3.) To identify ways fasting may be abused. 4.) To state the benefits of an acceptable fast.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT IS FASTING?
A Christian fast is characterized by abstinence from food and from other forms of nutrition for a period of time so as to devote oneself to prayers. It also involves staying away from activities that are intended to gratify the flesh (worldly pleasures).
Fasting is aimed at bringing the flesh and senses of the believer under subjection so that the spirit can be free enough to relate to the spirit of God at the supernatural level. It is supposed to enhance the believer’s earnestness and devotion to God. To abstain from food for a while therefore is to humble one’s soul before God, crucify the appetite and the flesh, and put one’s spirit in a position to conquer. Just as faith needs prayers for its development and full growth, so prayers need fasting for full effect (Matt. 17:21). Fasting is to enhance believer’s earnestness and devotion, humble his soul before God, chastise his sinful flesh, and to empower him for an effective prayer in spiritual warfare. The duration and nature of a fast is determined according to the leading of the Spirit of God and according to the prevailing challenges.
Q2. WHAT ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR SHOULD ACCOMPANY A CHRISTIAN FAST?
Isa 58:6-9
A proper fast must, first of all, impact the life of the one who is fasting. The believer’s life must radiate humility, grace and benevolence for fasting to be effective and acceptable. The primary activities in fasting are praying, studying the word of God, listening to God’s ministrations, meditating, and worshipping. The objective of fasting should be to loose the bands of wickedness, to let the oppressed go free, to undo heavy burdens, and to break every yoke. It involves asking for God’s forgiveness and extending our own forgiveness for others, interceding for righteous causes, and opposing all forms of injustice and wickedness.
An acceptable fast should help us to open up our bowels to mercy for the less privileged in the society. Any purpose for which we fast must line up with God and His word.
Q3. IN WHAT WAYS DO PEOPLE ABUSE OR MISUSE FASTING TODAY? Matt 6:16; Isa 58:3-5
There are many ways that fasting is being misapplied today, both among believers and
the unbelievers. We shall make a short list of them as follows:
A. Contract Fasting:
There are people who pay money and give other supplies to a fasting contractor (Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, etc.) to fast on their behalf. Making business out of fasting is unscriptural and a manifestation of greed. It is an abuse of God’s divine plan.
B. Fasting without Purpose:
This is mere starvation. A fast should be predicated on a clear purpose, not just a routine observance, if it must be acceptable. The spirit of commitment and devotion is very low when we fast for purposes that are not burdens on our souls. While not condemning routine fasting, care must be taken to ensure that it is
purposeful, goal oriented and rewarding.
C. Seeking public attention or applause: (Matt. 6:16)
Making so much noise about a proposed fast may affect its effectiveness. While it necessary to carry all involved along through adequate information, it becomes public display when we unnecessarily resort to radio or television or use of hand bills to announce a fast.
D. Fasting to make a name:
At the beginning of a new year or month, some are of the habit of mounting fasting programs with the sole aim of creating records in terms of number of days. Some even want to equal or out do the 40 days and 40 nights record of the Lord Jesus. We should not fast just to demonstrate spiritual superiority or prowess.
E. Fasting for mischief:
Some go into fasting with negative intentions- to enslave, to do harm, to subject others to selfish manipulations, to hinder progress and to obstruct justice. This is not God’s acceptable, whether desired results come or not.
The purpose of fasting is to obtain mercy and grace, and to extend same to others.
Q4. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FASTING? Matt. 4:1-11, 17:21; Acts 13:2
A fast that is acceptable to God leads to very many benefits. Among them are:
A. It makes the individual more sensitive to the promptings of the spirit of the Lord, because the flesh and its appetites are subdued.
B. Fasting leads to breakthrough over all forms of spiritual darkness that are prevailed before the fast; captives are freed and powers of wickedness are destroyed.
C. The grace received from fasting makes the believer more earnest and steadfast in the things of God. He thus stands in deeper devotion to God and is more equipped to resist sin.
D. On the natural level, fasting is a health building measure that eliminates wastes from the body and gives rest to our digestive system. It brings healing to our bodies.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Fasting is a spiritual exercise meant to strengthen the faith of believers. While dieting is an exercise that benefits the physical body, fasting profits the totality of man-body, soul and spirit. Fasting could be personal or corporate. It must be purposeful and accompanied with prayers. An acceptable fast must subdue the flesh and appetites, seek freedom for captives, and draw attention to the plight of the needy.
Some people faithfully abstain from food and other pleasures during the period of a fast, but cannot make out time to pray and show devotion to God. This could be a result of weakness or too busy a schedule or not seeing the need to personally pray. Unless the fasting is accompanied with Bible reading, worship, prayers and mediation, it may just be a form of dieting or simply amounts of starvation.
Furthermore, the way we end a fast is very important. Though very hungry, we should not rush at food. For a long fast, a gradual break beginning with a light meal is recommended.
MEMORY VERSE
James 5:16b
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: How to fast. Matt. 6:16-18
Tuesday: Fasting in repentance. 1 Sam. 7:6 Wednesday: Fasting against reproach.
Neh. 1:1-4 Thursday: Fasting for direction. Acts. 13:1-3 Friday: Fasting for intervention.
Esther. 4:15-16 Saturday: Fasting before decision.
Acts. 14:23