Fasting for God only

Today’s scripture:

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

The purpose of fasting should always be for the desire of getting closer to God. See, just fasting in of itself does not move God to be closer to us. No, It’s a way for us to die to self, a form of humbling ourselves. If we fast, we are giving something up that we either need or desire. This forces us to deny what we need or desire and in that process, we press all the more into Him, seeking His face. In chapter 4 of Matthew, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to go and fast for forty days immediately after His baptism and right before the start of His ministry. It was because He wanted to pursue the Father and empty Himself completely so the Father could work through Him.

Fasting isn’t always about food. When I went through Pure Life Ministries in 2006, the councilors were putting people on fasts very often, almost daily! If a person obviously had issues of talking too much because he wanted the attention or He esteemed himself to be heard more than to listen, he would be put on a talk fast where the only people he could talk to is his councilor or if it was at his job. Some would have been put on a music fast if it became apparent they were being consumed with that activity interfering with their studies or prayer. But in all types of fasts, it was heavily encouraged for them to seek God in the process.

Today we are looking into the eleventh topic on the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus is teaching, which is “Fasting to be seen only by God”. Matthew 6:16-18 is much like the past couple of teachings from this sermon. Jesus is warning people to be careful on the purpose of fasting. Be careful that your not fasting for recognition of being very devoted to God and very holy. He says take care of yourself to look healthy and do not draw attention to your fasting. Again, if you do, that is the only reward you will get.

Another passage on fasting that is not in some translations such as the NIV and some others but in the NKJV it is mentioned in Matthew 17:21 with the context starting in v.18… “And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

See, sometimes what needs to happen is something so large like a mountain that needs moved, it is going to take God’s powerful work to intervene. If we want God to work mightily through us (for the only purpose of bringing Him glory and not yourself) is to come under the submission of denying your flesh so much that God is able to work thoroughly through you in ways that only He can do. The mountains can be anything like addictions, massive healings, rising from the dead, revivals, severed limbs to grow back, or the blind being able to see.

Does God desire us to wait for these things to come about before we start to fast? No! See, the point and the purpose of fasting isn’t just for a miracle, its His desire for us to be so closely connected to Him that our will becomes and intertwines with His and we begin to walk completely by faith and not on our own. In other words, we become one with Him just like He was one with the Father when He fasted for forty days and did all those healings. Dear beloved, please understand if you think he did all these miracles because He is God, you are mistaken! Even though He is God, Jesus limited Himself while here on Earth so He can show us how closely we can be with God the Father! But to be that close we need to constantly be submissive, humbling ourselves and deny our flesh daily walking in His will and Spirit and this comes with prayer and fasting.

Reflection:

An attitude of selflessness is very much needed in this teaching. We cannot run after God and expect Him to fully bless us with Himself if we are still hanging on to our flesh. Yes, we are all still sinners and will be until we are with Him in heaven. However, I’m talking about seeking God while you are intentionally being full of self. Say to yourself… “Self – Its time to take you out back and shoot ya!” Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, let me ask you, if “self” or your “old man” is keeping you from God then doesn’t it only make sense to destroy what is keeping you from God? That “old man” MUST DIE! He MUST BE CRUCIFIED!!!

Challenge:

When is the last time you have fasted? Think about your relationship with Jesus. Is it where you desire it to be? Do you want more of Him? Do you know that you need more intimacy with God to the point of being one with Him, sharing each step with His feet? Then, my friend, let me encourage you to take time to pray and ask God what He would like for you to give up for a time so that you can receive more of Him.

-Doug McGowan