More Fasting
Is fasting for the New Testament church? That is an important question for all of us Christians today. We need to understand if we should be fasting to please our heavenly father. What does the Bible teach us about fasting for today?
Jesus makes two very important points about fasting: there is a time and a place for fasting and we should not fast because others think we should, but when God desires us to fast in His time.
Matthew 9:14-19 (Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33) “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples fast not?” And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
In the passage from Matthew, Jesus explained that there is a time for celebration and a time for fasting. When we cry unto the Lord in pain, suffering, troubles, trials, and need we can fast and He will hear. There will be a day when fasting will be required of God. I believe that for each of us who want to be a mature and effective member of Christ’s family, He will call on us to fast.
You Shall Fast… someday
In the next passage Jesus speaks of fasting and He uses the phrase “when you fast” and not the phrase “if you fast”.
Matthew 6:16-18 (Not “if,” but “when ye fast …”) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Fasting in Secrecy
As the scripture in Matthew 6:16-18 above states, we should not fast in a manner that brings attention to us. We are to fast in private, so that our blessing will come from God not from man who sees us. It is a Biblical principle that what we do for God we do in private when at all possible.
Humility in Fasting
It is also a Biblical principle that we go before God humble of who were are, for we are nothing but sinners lost without Him.
Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Fast in private, with humility, and in accordance with God’s will. In this way your fasting shall bring honor to God, you shall grow stronger and closer to Jesus, and it shall move God on your behalf.
Build a strong relationship with God through fasting. Move God on your behalf.
If you found this informative, please Digg it, Stumble it, submit it to Delicious, post it on Facebook , and above all tell a friend. You are our best resource for spreading the Word.
Author: Jeff Harris
Copyright © 2010