An End Times Guide To FASTING: 5 Questions About FASTING Answered Biblically

FASTING

God’s Word does NOT have a LOT to say about FASTING–and what it says is scattered throughout God’s Word.

Here are 5 (FIVE) questions about fasting answered in a Biblical manner.

1- What, exactly, is FASTING?

Simply put, FASTING is the giving up of food (and nourishment) during a certain length of time.

A number of folks (particularly those of the Roman Catholic persuasion) maintain that FASTING involves giving up ANYTHING (sort of like what a lot of Catholics do during LENT).

BUT, IN THE BIBLE, ‘fasting’ SPECIFICALLY refers to abstaining from FOOD.

A number of passages in God’s Word advise the follower of Jesus to ‘crucify the flesh’–with all of the desires that the flesh contains.

FASTING is a way of crucifying the flesh.

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
–Galatians 5:24

The Book of Esther relates what ‘fasting’ is. Queen Esther called a fast and SPECIFICALLY spells out what a ‘fast’ is.

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
–Esther 4:16

Someone might claim they are giving up watching TV for while as ‘fasting TV.’

This is a tradition of man, not God.

Fasting is all about giving up food and nourishment for a specific time.  Giving up ANYTHING ELSE is NOT a fast.

2- WHY should Christians fast?

This is a simple answer.

Christians fast because fasting humbles one’s self before God.

FASTING is, in effect, saying to God, “You are more important than even food to me.”

God’s Word is clear.

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting”
–Psalm 35:1,13

Psalm 69 is even MORE clear on the matter.

“When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”
–Psalm 69:10

The Book of Ezra also chimes in.

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”
Ezra 8:21

Fasting is not only a way of humbling one’s self before God, fasting is ALSO a way to ‘supercharge’ one’s spiritual power.

When the disciples of Jesus could not cast out a powerful devil, Jesus advised them, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

As is written in the Books of Matthew and Luke.

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
–Matthew 10:1,7-8

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
–Luke 10:17,19-20

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
–Matthew 17:19-21

3- What does the world have to say about FASTING?

For the moment, the world is VERY agreeable that fasting is a GOOD thing–especially for HEALTH reasons.

4- Is it a good thing that the world now advocates FASTING?

The world is a fickle mistress.

What the world likes one minute can change.

The reader should be aware of this proclivity to change.

5- WHY is there such confusion about fasting?

There is MUCH confusion about fasting–particularly among the church folk–BECAUSE MOSTLY the WRONG information is distributed.

For instance, a few years ago, a pastor of a large congregation told his listeners that the reason we FAST is to ‘purify ourselves.’

THIS IS NOT in the Bible and is something man has concocted.

The NUMBER ONE reason given in God’s Word for fasting is to ‘humble ourselves before God.’

Because man prays to God during a fast, that man’s requests take on an urgency and importance NOT found in a lesser man’s prayers. So there is ALSO something to be said about FASTING being the spiritual engine which drives a FASTING man’s spiritual motor.

And THAT is 5 questions about FASTING answered BIBLICALLY.

DID the reader learn anything?

It is not YET too late–although time is surely running out: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
—1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 5, 2023.]

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash.com

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-23. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Related articles

Author: Jeremiah J Jameson

End Times Prophecy Report - Publisher and author

Love it? Hate it? Be biblical! We occasionally respond to biblical comments, questions and/or remarks.