Fasting, What is it and Why Do We Do It?

Fasting! What is it and why do we do it? I n conducting a word search I found the word "fast" in 72 entries in the NKJV. Many of us think of food when we hear the word fast. However, is there more to fasting then just food? In the words of Nehemiah 1:4 - So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Many times we see in the bible how people fasted and prayed due to a request made for something desired.

The first step is to ask yourself is why am I going to fast? Once we discover the reason for our fast, then we can go to God in prayer and ask him how to fast. The Lord showed me that you cannot obtain the character needed to carry out his purpose by just fasting from food. There are shortcuts that will give you a more spiritual high. However, they will not develop the character that you will need to sustain the call that God has on your life. A fast will give you a temporary breakthrough, until you come off of it. So, how long can you fast for?

As I contemplated these thoughts I discovered that there must be something more too fasting then just food. We see this in Gal 6:8 8 - For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Fasting from the worldly or fleshly desires can bring about amazing results. However we are not just to fast but we are to give them up. Many times we look at fasting from food. If we fast, we abstain from something. So the question becomes what kind of a breakthrough are we looking for? Why aren't we seeing the victory in our lives? Is fasting from food really the answer?

God does want us to eat healthy. We need to take care of our earthly bodies and keep our temple a holy place. However, he also wants us to fast from the things of this world. If you really want to see a breakthrough in your spiritual life, just ask the Holy Spirit to start convicting you about the desires of your flesh. Our victories will be won in the spiritual realm when we deny our flesh. We must decide that they are going to die once and for all to the things of this world. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We need to be aware of what we are spiritually feeding ourselves. There is a great deal of deception in the world today. We need to be aware of what we are allowing our eyes to see, our mouth to speak, our hands to touch and our ears to hear. When we crucify the flesh in these areas, we will see victory and breakthroughs in our spiritual lives. I'll warn you, the flesh is not going to like being denied. Start by paying attention to what you are watching on TV? What other types of media do you listen to or watch? What is coming out of your mouth? What are you doing with your hands? What are you allowing your ears to hear? This is the way that Satan gets a foothold in our lives and creates a stronghold. When you get the victory in these areas of your life, you will see great spiritual breakthroughs.

Satan will always try to get a foothold in our lives through what seems innocent and harmless. It's called deception. You may be surprised what grieves the Holy Spirit and what you might think is harmless. The next time you listen to music or watch TV ask if Jesus were in the room would he approve? The bible says in Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Sometimes our daily habits need to be adjusted.

If God is asking you to fast, go to him in prayer and find out what he wants you to fast from. I am not saying don't fast from food. Sometimes we try to fix a problem with the wrong thing and it only makes it worse. It is almost like having the wrong tool and we try to make it work. We end up doing something out of frustration and we never see the end result. Ask God, if there is a place in your life where the devil has built a stronghold. If you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life he will put his finger on what is causing the problem. He may ask you to change something in your life so that you can see the victory.

When we abstain from our fleshly desires we will build the character that we will need to carry out God's plan for us. Many times we have a problem and we neglect going to God to ask him for direction. Have you ever felt, why do I continue going around this mountain? Yup, been there, done that! Many times it can be due to lack of obedience. God cannot reward your disobedience. You literally tie his hands when you are disobedient. Many times we open the door to the devil through disobedience. Until we come in line with God's will our enemy will cause all kinds of problems for us.

If you want to see great victory in your life make sure that your priorities are in line with God's will. Are your desires his desires? Sometimes what we want and what God is asking for are not the same. Sometimes how we want to go about getting our victory and how God wants to lead us is totally different. We become like that disobedient child. We want our way so we try to manipulate the circumstances. God can't be manipulated; he only moves according to his word. Sometimes what we will have to do to get the victory may be difficult. However he will give us the strength to overcome. If you are serious about getting the victory in your life start paying attention to these things in your life. You may be very surprised at what a simple adjustment or change may do. God can break any stronghold in your life if you are willing to submit your way to him.

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