Fasting Explained (Fasting, 1 of 3)
Christian fasting is the temporary and *voluntary abstinence from **food paired with a commitment to prayer and Bible reading regarding a particular spiritual desire or need – either personally (Matt. 6:16) or corporately (Neh. 9:1, Joel 2:15-16, Acts 13:3). There is, however, a broader and often overlooked view of fasting in which, for spiritual purposes, a person denies himself the enjoyment or comfort of something other than food. It is technically appropriate to speak of fasting from any legitimate freedom. Even those who, for medical reasons, do not fast from food entirely can enjoy many applications of this enriching discipline.
“Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not only be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Jesus both practiced and taught fasting, yet it remains the most misunderstood and under-observed of the spiritual disciples. The term “spiritual disciplines” refers to habitual Christian activities such as Bible reading, prayer, worship, confession, solitude, etc. For many, fasting is seen as radical or, worse, unproductive. Donald S. Whitney, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, says fasting is the most misunderstood discipline due to the famine of contemporary awareness of it. And it is more than that. Few disciplines are so radically contrary to the flesh and the mainstream of culture as is fasting. Christians in a largely gluttonous, self-indulgent society struggle to accept and enjoy the practice of fasting. But as unnatural as fasting may be, it remains an essential partner to serious prayer and no Christian should ignore the grace – the strength and intimacy – it affords us.
Fasting and a focused meditation on God’s Word is sometimes the most appropriate way to strengthen our prayers and demonstrate our appetite for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
* Even when done corporately, fasting cannot be coerced but must be done willingly and with a sincere personal desire for God to do or provide what only He can.
**While there may be exceptions (Deut. 9:9, Esther 4:16), water is typically permitted, if not recommended, during a fast (Matt. 4:2, Luke 4:2).
Partially adapted from Donald S. Whitney’s ‘Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.’