Fasting?
What does that really mean?
We just had what we called a “Facebook Fast” in our youth group, and I believe that we must take those idols and distractions away from our lives to show God we care more about Him than these “things.” It was a day for taking something that was a distraction from God and placing it aside to focus more on Him. But what is real fasting? Is that REALLY it?
No.
In Scripture and in accordance to every Scripture, the word fasting is always used as a link to food, or shall I say being without food. Food is the sustenance we gain energy from, it allows us to gain weight, stay healthy, become stronger, and have contentment in its taste. So when we refrain from eating what are we supposed to do in that time that we do not eat? Well, according to Christ’s example, we should go to a quiet place and pray (Matthew 4). Jesus went for forty days and nights without eating. Can you imagine? I am not boasting about this, but I have fasted for a whole day before and even by dinner time I was aching in my gut for a steak and mashed potatoes. Probably even as I wrote those words you got a mental image-picture of a juicy steak smeared in sauce and a glob of mashed potatoes with sour cream and bacon bits on it. Right? Oh man, now I’m hungry… Anyway, one day and I was dying, now think if you could with me about FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS. This was not easy, and I again I repeat NOT EASY. Now this does not set you at a higher standing with God, meaning that you will “gain more love if you fast,” but it does mean that you should be relying on Him and that does bring Him glory.
So what about you? Have you thought about fasting ever before to prepare you as Jesus was at the beginning of His ministry? Or perhaps to increase your faith in God to be more relying on Him?
Well, let me say do it in a way that is humble. Jesus was displeased with the religious leaders of the day, because they would take pride in fasting and would want to be seen- thinking that it “made” them more righteous (Matthew 6). Be humble before God and choose to only be seen by Him. Do it with purpose and not just because it is the “Christian thing to do.”
Now I am not the sole expert on fasting, but I do know that as Christians we should strive to be like Christ in ALL His actions (Romans 12:1). When we fast, it brings us close to God; and the more we are closer to God, the more our sin is magnified because of God’s holiness. It is a time to ask God to clean us to serve Him in everything.
Fasting is a beautiful thing. When and where you do it, do it all for His glory. I still have much to learn about it, but my biggest lesson is just doing it.
Praise His Name,
Andrew Anderson
