Fasting

FASTING
Mark 2:18-22

“A time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken from them and on that day they will fast”.

Matt 6 In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught about 3 keys to live in Kingdom life.

1) Prayer
2) Giving
3) Fasting

This is an expected practice to Jesus ….

There are many misunderstandings about fasting.

1) Its’ something people did in the past therefore becomes religious and ritualistic. But its not true because the Korean church has grown to nearly a million due to prayer and fasting.

2) Abstinence is not fasting. In Old Testament, fasting means ‘to cover up your mouth;. In New Testament, not to eat is a biblical fast to do without food. Do not fast because of diet, anorexic, health etc. This is not biblical. Therefore, abstinence is not a biblical fast.

Fasting is therefore to QUIT eating for an agreed period of time – agreement between God and you and other believers. Do it to the glory of God for your life and the community.

When you fast from food, continue to drink water unless it is an extreme fast – waterless. We should never go beyond 3 days unless the Lord tells you.
Moses in Duet 9:9, 18.. it was a supernatural fast and a miracle.

Fasting is not ritualistic or unenjoyable. Mark 2:18 Jesus was questioned why his disciples did not fast. It was time to feast because he was with them.

Fasting is not an option; just like feet washing etc. John Wesley said this, “The man who never fasts is no more on the way to heaven than the man who never prays”.

It is the fruit of our salvation. Matt 6:16
When you fast; not if you fast.

Jesus is physically taken away and sits in heaven at the right hand of the Father.
In that time, they will fast – no option!
They fast because of a fiery love for their absent bridegroom.
It is a means of communing with your absent bridegroom.

Jesus on earth – no need to fast because they can fellowship with Him. But now, is to know Him deeply and intimately.

Not that you need to when we are born again but it is an option to try and practice regularly. Fast out of a PASSION for JESUS!!!

Fasting brings results … eating versus spiritual life?

Matt 6:18 Secret fasting would be openly rewarded.
May not be immediate or exact results – like prayer. Gradual and sharper and clearer as God responds to your fast.

What is a bad fast? Isa 58

1) Done with wrong motives – 71 references out of 7 are a bad fast.

2) Look religious – Isa 58:2 . Create a wrong impression for others and God. You really don’t want God; just look like you want Him. Zech 7:5. Luke 18:9-14. The example of the Pharisee who fasted and prayed regularly. But his prayer was ABOUT HIMSELF. When you try to mpress God and others, you are not fasting for God.

Also, do not be secret about it too! There is no need to lie. Just share humbly without boasting!

3) Be religious – Isa 58:3. Don’t make God respond to you by twisting His arm. David tried to fast to stop judgment against his family because of his sins. 2 Sam 12:15-23. God did not respond!

4) Feed religious spirit – Isa 58:3-4. Fast even as you sin. Use God’s grace to cover up rebellion against God. 1 Kings 21:9-14. Jezebel orders a national day fast to conceal her plot to murder Naboth and take his vineyard… to cover up for herself.

5) Form of godliness – Isa 58:5. Don’t fulfill a ritual by having a form of godliness and yet denying its power. 2 Tim 3:5. Enter into fasting by faith and trust that God will do something in and through you by Jesus.


What is a good fast? Isa 58
God will give it to those who are responsible.

1) Do it with a right motive.

2) Answer God’s call – Isa 58:6. Obey God’s prompting. Joel 1:14 Declare a holy fast and set apart for God. Seek the Lord to se when you should fast, how long and the nature of the fast. It could be for a week, certain meals, corporate fast (1 July). Just like a prayer; seek the Lord’s will and sanctify your expressions of righteousness by responding.

3) Satan fears fasting – Isa 58:6. Speaks of cards, chains and yoke where slavery, bondage and oppression be broken.

4) Fast with mercy – Isa 58:7. Lifestyle to help others. Feed the hungry, give shelter, clothe the naked and help your own family. Matt 6:2,5,16. Pray and giving to those in need. Neh 1:4 – He sat down and wept for his people and their needs.

5) Fasting for transformation – Isa 58:9. To change your own life. To do away with finger pointing and malicious talk. Fast to change in behavior. (Paul in Acts 9:9) Because of fasting, recognize our bad behavior, repent and seek God to change their lives. Fast to discover secret or hidden sins of your life. Ask God to see the condition of your heart.

Ree Howells says … Angry resistance to enter a fast brought him to see his selfish appetites and he didn’t know he had such lust in him. He was agitated and this was proof of the grip it had on him.

Ahab was a wick king and he repented of this sin through fasting (1 Kings 21:27).

6) Fasting for revelation – God brings knowledge to your spirit. Eph 1:17-18; 3:19 Paul went blind. People had to be led as they stumbled around. Many of us are like that. Paul prayed that the eyes of the people’s heart will be enlighten so that they might know the love of Jesus that surpasses knowledge. How to get revelation? Seek God’s voice through faith, intimacy with Jesus and openness to the Holy Spirit. Believe for and expect revelation. Fasting opens the door too! Isa 58:8. Your light will break forth like the dawn!

Fasting for 3 levels of REVELATION.

1) Through the word. Reading the bible because of the Word of God is the inspired word. Read in faith and expect God to speak to us. Fast and ask for revelation and the ability to receive the word. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the illumination of the 10 commandments. Exo 34:28. Daniel got the inspired words of end-times when he fasted. Dan 9:3.

2) Gifts of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor 12:7-11 . The words of knowledge, wisdom, discernment of spirits, prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues. Joel 2:28. Pour out your spirit on all peoples.

3) Interpreting God’s Word – When you have a word, or a dream or vision or prophecy and you are not sure what its saying, ask the Lord for an interpretation. Daniel asked God to interpret his dreams and vision. Dan 1:17-20, Dan 5:12. Dan 1:12. They went into partial fast to receive revelation from God. Dan 9:3.

How do we apply? Wisdom through revelation and fasting. Acts 13:2 .. set Paul and Barnabas apart for the work.

Fasting also releases ;

1) Healing – supernatural anointing to release sickness.
2) Holiness
– transformed by the Holy Spirit combined with faith
– Overcome self indulgence – Example of Eve eating the forbidden fruit
– Self deception – Think differently Rom 12:1,2 God centered thoughts especially in the area of fasting.
– Addictions to food, sex, sleep or comfort. Tame these cravings or it controls the body and allows the enemy to hold us bondage.

3) Protection – Matt 6:13 “Deliver us from the evil one”.
4) Doors to Answers – Jer 29:13 “When you seek me with all your heart, you shall be found of Him.
5) God’s presence – Fasting enhances communion and worship .. You have a taste of heaven.
6) Door to deliverance – Repent with fasting and demonic forces will be broken and family chaos broken.
7) Guidance – pressure of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Word.
8) Provision – prosperity.
9) Anointing and revival.