Fasting for Spiritual Health

Fasting empties our stomachs and fills our spirits.

Marianne Clements

Fasting for spiritual purposes has been done for thousands of years. In fact, the Israelites were first commanded to fast and rest on the annual Day of Atonement as part of the Old Covenant. There is no longer a need for a Day of Atonement because Jesus died on the cross as the permanent atonement for our sins and the only requirement of the New Covenant is faith in Jesus, the Christ. However, fasting is beneficial, but we do it because we WANT to and not because we MUST.

Jesus’ First Fast – Resisting Temptation:

The first thing Jesus did after He was baptized was to go into the wilderness and fast and pray for 40 days and nights. After His fast, Satan tempted him in the same way that he had tempted Adam and Eve, but Jesus resisted temptation with the Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was physically weak, but spiritually strong whereas Adam and Eve were physically strong and spiritually weak. (Luke 4:1-13). Could food cause you to open the door to the devil as it did Adam & Eve?

Isaiah 58 – The Fast that Pleases God:

There are many reasons for fasting, but I think Isaiah 58 has one of the best explanations of why we should fast. It tells us that fasting is not just abstaining from food and being unchanged spiritually. It’s about changing US and making US more like God – more sensitive to the things that hurt God such as injustice, hypocrisy, and the needy. Isaiah 58 goes on to tell us that we will be blessed in every area of our lives when we fast with the right attitude. I liked the translation from The Message that explains why the people were fasting but God was not pleased.

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Tags: Fasting, Health, Spiritual

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Comment by Caroline Gavin on January 10, 2013 at 4:15pm: Thank you so very much, Marianne! God's blessings and victory to you in all you do!

Comment by Marianne Clements on January 10, 2013 at 11:38am: Caroline,

I like that -- "feasting on God's presence". Yes, we definitely see more clearly after spending time with God. Many blessing to you as well.

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

Comment by Caroline Gavin on January 10, 2013 at 11:30am: Beautiful post, Marianne! I appreciate tremendously your heart for the Lord. I agree that fasting and prayer are a powerful combination. Fasting, in the denial of physical food, allows us to spiritually feast in God's presence. I have always found that I have grown closer to the Lord during fasting; I have seen things more clearly and witnessed His miracles more radiantly. This is a timely post, as we enter now a New Year. May God bless your labor and your love for Him!

Comment by Marianne Clements on January 10, 2013 at 9:57am: It's definitely a good practice. If it was good for Jesus, surely it's good for us.

I've had some amazing experiences during and after fasting and those experiences of being closer to God make me hungry for more of Him.

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

Comment by Peter A Ferguson on January 10, 2013 at 8:07am: Great post Marianne! I was instructed early on to fast the first Sunday of the month at a minimum, donating the money we would have used on food to buy food for those in need. Our congregations fast together - usually just sharing the day, but sometimes sharing the purpose of the fast together.

Additionally, we have had family fasts when someone's health is at risk or my wife and I have fasted together before making big decisions.

While I know there are health benefits to occasional fasts, for me it is a great reminder to the body that the Spirit is in charge and that I can be master over the body's desires.