Should Christians fast today?
Should Christians fast today? If so, how and why should they fast? Below is an overview of fasting in the Bible from the Harper Bible dictionary:
Fasting is abstention from food. In the OT there are two kinds of fasting, public and private. Public fasts were periodically proclaimed (2 Chro. 20:3; Ezra 8:21-23; Neh. 1:4-11; Jer. 36:9). The fasts were always accompanied by prayer and supplication and frequently by wearing sackcloth as a sign of penance and mourning (Neh. 9:1; Dan. 9:3; 1 Macc. 3:47). In the tragic days surrounding the fall of Jerusalem, four fast days were proclaimed (Zech. 7:5; 8:19). 'Humbling or afflicting oneself,' synonymous with 'fasting,' is required on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31-34). Public fasts ordinarily lasted a day, and offerings of various sorts were made (Lev. 16:1-5; Judg. 20:26; Jer. 14:11-12). The prophetic writings contain strong warnings against abusing the fasting rituals (Isa. 58:1-9; Jer. 14:11-12; Zech. 7:3-5; 8:18-19). The prophet Joel, however, unhesitatingly calls for a public fast and communal lamentation (Joel 1:8-2:17). Private fasts were observed as acts of penance (2 Sam. 12:15-23; 1 Kings 21:27; Ps. 69:1-15), when others became sick (Ps. 35:13-14), and when one was accused and scorned (Ps. 109:4-21).
In the NT Jesus stresses that there should be joy in fasting (Matt. 6:16-18; cf. Zech. 8:19), and he fasted at the outset of his ministry (Matt. 4:2). He does not, however, enjoin his disciples to fast as did John the Baptist (Mark 2:18-20). Later textual tradition adds 'and fasting' to Jesus' assertion that certain kinds of demons could not be 'driven out by anything but prayer' (Mark 9:29). In the early church fasting accompanied prayer prior to the consecration of teachers and elders (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23) and during times of severe trial (Acts 27:1-38). J.G.G.
Some of the reasons the people during the bible times fasted are the same reasons we Christians should fast today. We do not fast for ritual observance, though. Most fasts are for one day only. There are some that can be found in the bible for longer periods of time for specific reasons. In the following Scripture we find out how to fast:
Esther 4:16 (NASB95)
"Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."
In the Hebrew, the word "drink" can mean feasting or drinking alcohol. The body needs water so you need to drink water during a fast but don't take anything else into your body. Some people will drink juice for a little sustenance but that is not a fast. That is severe dieting. I have heard some teach that Daniel and the other Hebrews that wouldn't eat the king's food but ate only vegetables were fasting. That is not true. They were just eating a different diet.
The Jewish people say a day consists of night and day. So a fast starts at sundown and goes to sundown the next day. You must be sure to eat before sundown on one day and not eat until after sundown the next day.
Some years ago there was a couple that had a son that was around ten years old. The parents got divorced. The son lived with his mother but one time when he was visiting his father, he was given the game "Dungeons and Dragons". The boy played this game and was demonized. His mother called a friend of mine and told him she was going to drive about five hours to see him to get her son delivered from being demonized. My friend told her she did not have to drive that far. He was planning on fasting and praying for the deliverance of her son. He did fast and pray and the boy was delivered. The mother and son came to visit my friend and the boy was normal. My friend was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit to fast and pray for this boy. Because my friend was obedient, the boy was delivered from being demonized.
Fast when the Lord puts it on your heart for whatever reason such as to get closer to Him or for the Holy Spirit to move on behalf of someone else. BE obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Dean
Should Christians fast today? If so, how and why should they fast? Below is an overview of fasting in the Bible from the Harper Bible dictionary:
Fasting is abstention from food. In the OT there are two kinds of fasting, public and private. Public fasts were periodically proclaimed (2 Chro. 20:3; Ezra 8:21-23; Neh. 1:4-11; Jer. 36:9). The fasts were always accompanied by prayer and supplication and frequently by wearing sackcloth as a sign of penance and mourning (Neh. 9:1; Dan. 9:3; 1 Macc. 3:47). In the tragic days surrounding the fall of Jerusalem, four fast days were proclaimed (Zech. 7:5; 8:19). 'Humbling or afflicting oneself,' synonymous with 'fasting,' is required on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31-34). Public fasts ordinarily lasted a day, and offerings of various sorts were made (Lev. 16:1-5; Judg. 20:26; Jer. 14:11-12). The prophetic writings contain strong warnings against abusing the fasting rituals (Isa. 58:1-9; Jer. 14:11-12; Zech. 7:3-5; 8:18-19). The prophet Joel, however, unhesitatingly calls for a public fast and communal lamentation (Joel 1:8-2:17). Private fasts were observed as acts of penance (2 Sam. 12:15-23; 1 Kings 21:27; Ps. 69:1-15), when others became sick (Ps. 35:13-14), and when one was accused and scorned (Ps. 109:4-21).
In the NT Jesus stresses that there should be joy in fasting (Matt. 6:16-18; cf. Zech. 8:19), and he fasted at the outset of his ministry (Matt. 4:2). He does not, however, enjoin his disciples to fast as did John the Baptist (Mark 2:18-20). Later textual tradition adds 'and fasting' to Jesus' assertion that certain kinds of demons could not be 'driven out by anything but prayer' (Mark 9:29). In the early church fasting accompanied prayer prior to the consecration of teachers and elders (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23) and during times of severe trial (Acts 27:1-38). J.G.G.
Some of the reasons the people during the bible times fasted are the same reasons we Christians should fast today. We do not fast for ritual observance, though. Most fasts are for one day only. There are some that can be found in the bible for longer periods of time for specific reasons. In the following Scripture we find out how to fast:
Esther 4:16 (NASB95)
"Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."
In the Hebrew, the word "drink" can mean feasting or drinking alcohol. The body needs water so you need to drink water during a fast but don't take anything else into your body. Some people will drink juice for a little sustenance but that is not a fast. That is severe dieting. I have heard some teach that Daniel and the other Hebrews that wouldn't eat the king's food but ate only vegetables were fasting. That is not true. They were just eating a different diet.
The Jewish people say a day consists of night and day. So a fast starts at sundown and goes to sundown the next day. You must be sure to eat before sundown on one day and not eat until after sundown the next day.
Some years ago there was a couple that had a son that was around ten years old. The parents got divorced. The son lived with his mother but one time when he was visiting his father, he was given the game "Dungeons and Dragons". The boy played this game and was demonized. His mother called a friend of mine and told him she was going to drive about five hours to see him to get her son delivered from being demonized. My friend told her she did not have to drive that far. He was planning on fasting and praying for the deliverance of her son. He did fast and pray and the boy was delivered. The mother and son came to visit my friend and the boy was normal. My friend was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit to fast and pray for this boy. Because my friend was obedient, the boy was delivered from being demonized.
Fast when the Lord puts it on your heart for whatever reason such as to get closer to Him or for the Holy Spirit to move on behalf of someone else. BE obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Dean
No comments:
Post a Comment