Fasting may be a missing piece in your walk with Jesus.
I was messaging with a younger Christian and fasting came up. What made me so happy about that was they brought it up as something they saw as a next step in their walk. I couldn’t agree more. Fasting may be the most important thing that is least done.
Jesus on Fasting
Jesus started his ministry with fasting (Matthew 4). At one point he said his disciples don’t fast while he was with them but will fast when he leaves (Mark 2:19-20). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says “When you fast…” not “If you fast…” (Matt 6:16-18).
Jesus expects us to fast if we are able.
Why does it matter?
Not only did Jesus model fasting in his ministry. At one point he ties it to spiritual warfare. In some manuscripts at the transfiguration Jesus tells his disciples some demons only come out through prayer while other manuscripts say fasting and prayer (Mark 9:29). Either way, Jesus modeled in his ministry in Matthew 4 that spiritual warfare with the devil is best done through fasting.
Fasting is important for a few reasons:
1 – It helps us keep our flesh in check.
2 – It teaches us to rely on God/depend on God above all else
3 – It sets our mind/thoughts on God (when hungry, pray)
4 – It helps us discern what is from God and what is not as we tune into God through fasting and prayer.
If you want to know more about how to fast, here is a quick guide!
A word of caution
Any time we engage in an activity that can change our relationship with God for the good, it can also change our relationship with God for the bad. Satan doesn’t like to see our progress. So he will tempt you to twist the reason for your fasting and make it about you rather than about God. You will be tempted to use it as a way to get things your way…to convince God you are serious. You will be tempted to use it for the power rather than for the weakness. And that will get you off track and put you in a worse position than when you started. So be aware!
