The Christian And Fasting Series

The Christian and Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18

Perhaps, the most misunderstood and most misapplied teaching in the Bible is the teaching of fasting. Down through the ages, it has been a method of displaying something on the outside that was supposed to be prevalent on the inside. It supposedly used to show humility, sorrow, and godliness, but it was normally a method by which the observer could gain attention to himself.

I. The Meaning of a Fast

A. Literally means “not to eat”.

B. It does not mean to abstain from certain foods for a certain period of time.

C. Fasting is self-denial while prayer is God dependency.

D. It is a time when we subdue the natural desire of the body, because of a great desire of the soul.

E. Fasting in many cases is the natural result of a disaster.

F. In all cases, it should be carried out through desire not through command.

G. Nowhere in the Bible is fasting given as a routine Christian duty.

H. We should be so excited with what God is giving us during the fast, that food will be literally repugnant to us.

II. The Reasons for Fasting

A. A deep sorrow because of an incident or person.

1. Death will often take away our desire to eat and will thus cause us to fast in sorrow.

2. Concern over our own problems and needs will often cause us to fast.

3. An earnest desire to commune with God than the satisfaction of food.

4. The heart felt desire to see a soul saved will often cause us to fast.

III. The Results of Fasting

A. It humbles the soul.

Psalm 35:13; “I humbled my soul with fasting.”

B. It brings about repentance and godly sorrow. Joel 2:12

C. It is a source of power with God.

Matthew 17:21; “This kind goeth out not but by prayer and fasting.”

1. If we are more concerned with eating and self-satisfaction, than with leading people to Christ, then our witness will never be effective.

2. God, as a loving Father, will often give us just what we desire. Look around and see if your gifts from God, are what you desire, or are they those things that are beneficial to the Kingdom of God.

IV. The Restrictions on Fasting

A. Not for a show or for the praises of men.

1. Do not look unkept, unshaven, or unclean.

2. Do not distort face and body as if in the throes of starvation.

B. Fasting is Godward just like prayer and service. When we do it for the praises of men and receive those praises than we can expect no praise from God.

1. We are to be neat, well dressed and clean.

2. We are to have a smile on our face for the world.

3. We are doing this for the glory of God and not for men, thus men should never know.

C. Fasting is not to be done to the extent that it harms the body.

Conclusion:

Fasting should be the natural result of an earnest desire to commune with God, to please God, and to have power with God. The desire to fast must come before the fast or it is not effectual. However, if you are never concerned enough about the things of God that your desire to be with our food or to deny yourself of the service of God you need to check your relationship with Him.

1. A homesick child will often refuse to eat.

2. A surviving spouse will often refuse food at the time of the death of a partner.

3. A pet will often starve to death because of the death of a master.

We become so involved with things of this world, yet we are involved with the eternal things of God.