Did you know that there is one powerful but often forgotten spiritual tool in the Bible that can dramatically improve your life? This spiritual tool allows you to get closer to God, seek His will, and increase your faith. Not only that but with this tool, you’ll be able to obtain a clearer vision and understanding of what God wants for you.
What is this spiritual tool? I’m talking about fasting. Today, we are going to discuss what fasting is and how it can help you in your spiritual life. So, if you’re ready, let’s dive in.
What is fasting?
Fasting is going without food and drink. This is evident as we let the Bible define it. Esther 4:16 tells us:
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
The word fast here came from the Hebrew word tsum, meaning to cover the mouth. In the New Testament, Fast came from the Greek word nesteuo, meaning to abstain from food.
The longest fast recorded was done by Jesus, Moses, and possibly Elijah. They were able to fast for forty days and forty nights. Obviously, this type of fast includes supernatural help as ordinary people today won’t be able to do this.
Fasting in the Bible
Fasting, as we see it in the Bible, isn’t just about skipping meals. It’s a deeply personal journey of self-discipline and spiritual connection. Imagine sitting down with a growling stomach, your heart heavy with prayer, seeking answers or solace from God. Fasting is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and it has been practiced by individuals and communities for various reasons.
In the Old Testament, fasting was a response to life’s most profound moments. It was a way to show remorse, to plead for forgiveness, or to ask for direction from the Almighty.
Take the prophet Joel, for instance. He called for fasting when his people faced devastation from a locust plague as we read in Joel 2:12-15. It wasn’t just about skipping meals; it was about a community coming together in humble reflection, seeking guidance and redemption. In Leviticus 16:29-31, we read about the Day of Atonement, which is a day for the people of Israel to fast.
In the New Testament, particularly in Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus Himself embarking on a 40-day fast in the wilderness. Can you imagine the hunger pangs He must have felt, the physical weakness matched only by His spiritual strength? He also taught about fasting, emphasizing the importance of sincere and private fasting as a spiritual discipline as we read in Matthew 6:16-18.
The New Testament describes instances where individuals and communities fasted for various reasons, such as seeking guidance from God (Acts 13:2-3), accompanying prayer and worship (Luke 2:37), or dedicating themselves to the Lord (Acts 14:23). It is important to note that fasting is not presented as a means to earn salvation or impress God, but rather as an expression of devotion, humility, and seeking God’s will.
Overall, fasting in the Bible is a voluntary act of abstaining from food or certain types of food for spiritual purposes, such as seeking God’s guidance, expressing repentance, or deepening one’s relationship with God. It is often accompanied by prayer, self-reflection, and a desire for spiritual growth. Different individuals and communities may have different practices and reasons for fasting, but the underlying principle is the same—to draw closer to God and seek His presence.
How long and often should we fast?
There is one particular day when we are commanded by God to fast. It is during the Day of Atonement. We read Leviticus 23:26-29:
26 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28 And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29 For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.
In the New Testament, the Day of Atonement is called the Fast as we read in Acts 27:9:
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over.
The fast that we do on the Day of Atonement lasts from sunset to sunset or 24 hours. Sadly, some people dismiss that the Day of Atonement is just an Old Testament practice and it is done away with after the death of Christ. However, there’s no Biblical evidence supporting that claim. As a matter of fact, Paul – the Apostle to the Gentiles – continued to observe this day even many years after Christ’s death as we read in Acts 27:9.
From the example of the Day of Atonement, we can conclude that a normal fast is suggested to last for a day. However, on other occasions when you choose to fast, it can be done part of a day or more than a day. It depends upon your purpose.
When it comes to the question of the frequency of our fast, it is really a personal choice. But it is highly suggested to fast at least once a month. Healthy individuals can even tolerate fasting twice a month.
It is recommended that you consult with your doctor when you fast, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. From there, you can decide how often you should fast.
Are we commanded to fast?
We have already seen that we are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement. But are we also commanded to fast on other days of the year?
It is worth noting that Christ expects His followers to fast. When asked by the disciples of John why Christ’s disciples do not fast, Christ answered with a short parable and responded:
“But the days will come when the bridegroom (referring to Himself) will be taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15).
When Christ explained to His disciples how to fast, He clearly said, “WHEN you fast” (Matthew 6:16-17), He didn’t say, “If you fast.” This clearly tells us that Jesus/Yahshua is telling us that we need to fast.
When we think about it, we all fast. When we go to sleep, we go on without food and drink for several hours. That’s why we call it “breakfast.” However, this type of fasting is done out of necessity. The kind of fasting that God expects from us is a deliberate choice. Fasting for our spiritual growth does not come naturally. It should be a choice. Therefore, since God commanded us to fast, then we need to choose to do it.
In summary, fasting is a powerful spiritual tool that allows us to draw closer to God, seek His will and purpose for our lives, and increase our faith. Yes, fasting will make us physically weak, but it makes us spiritually strong. In our weakness, we find God’s strength in our lives.
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About the Author
Joshua Infantado is the founder of the Becoming Christians website and the Becoming Christians Academy, an online course. Since 2013, he has been writing Christian articles, and he launched his own YouTube channel. Joshua is deeply passionate about sharing the Word of God and supporting people in their Christian journey.
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