Fasting
I hate fasting.
I have always dreaded starting a fast of any kind. Not to mention I am terrible at it. I always allow those internal conversations to sway me into compromise and before I know it I have “adjusted” my fast because my flesh is too weak.
I think a part of my struggle has been from not fully understanding what fasting is really about. I was under the impression that fasting is a way to “level up” in the Kingdom. When you need that extra bit of faith to heal someone or when you need God to do something for you, so you stop eating until He gives in.
I have since learned that fasting is more for dying than building you into some spiritual superhero.
let me explain because I already hear the thoughts you are having right now, “but Jesus said “that these kind only come out by much prayer and fasting” (Matt 17.21) so fasting must bolster your faith somewhat!”
Yes, I totally agree! However, I have found that the increase of your faith comes as a byproduct of fasting and should not be the sole purpose of fasting for a believer.
Jesus says in Matthew 10.38 & 39
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
It is in this truth that I believe we find the purpose of fasting. The laying down of our “life” to find Him.
When is the last time you told yourself “no”?
Seriously, can you recall it? When is the last time you said “no” to the doughnut? Or “no” to the tv show you constantly binge even though you know it is toxic?
Everyone around us encourages this idea of saying yes to every one of your desires, finding what makes you happy and indulging in it. Creating this YOU focused reality where you are the center of the universe and everything exists to make you happy. Sounds good right? Sure it does, who doesn’t love saying “yes” to every little craving?
The problem is that this mentality doesn’t transfer well into the Kingdom. It’s hard to “pick up your cross” when your entire life has been built on the effort to make you as comfortable as possible.
It’s sad to say that we see this reality alive and well in the Church today. I’ve heard it called “Consumer Christianity”, a religion built around the consumer instead of Christ. Where you are at the center of the Gospel and Christ is there to serve you and make your life as pleasant as possible.
Fasting destroys this mentality.
And it is in this purpose that I believe fasting is most effective. Colossians 1.18 says “that in all things He may have the preeminence.” and when we fast we make this verse a reality in our lives. We say with our actions, “Jesus, you come first! Before my wants and my needs.” We literally give Him the preeminence in our lives.
It is in this posture of Christ-centeredness that we find true life. When we say “no” to our flesh and “yes” to Him.
It is when we begin to live this way that we see the bolstering of our faith and other fruits of fasting. Just as John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3.30). When we fast, we get out of the way and allow Him to take His rightful place and increase in our lives.
Although I still don’t totally enjoy fasting, I don’t hate it anymore. It has become a practice in my life that I genuinely look forward to now because I know the benefits of saying “no” to Dominic and “yes” to Him.
If you don’t regularly fast, I encourage you to start. If you do fast, don’t do it with the sole purpose trying to become someone significant but rather do it in order to die to yourself and find life in Him.
Live right, love everyone and pray hard,
