The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting

The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting

“ . . . discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness . . . .” is the key to understanding all the spiritual disciplines. Perhaps you’ll remember the two questions I shared on Saturday, 1/5. They really define the purpose of the disciplines. 1) What am I currently not doing that, if I were doing, would open myself up more to God's work of grace in my life? 2) What am I currently doing that, if eliminated, would open myself up more to God's work of grace in my life? The disciplines of abstinence and engagement address the two questions. Most of us have things that need to disappear from our lives and things that need to appear. The spiritual disciplines offer us a framework for seeing that both happen. When they do, God has much more freedom to work in us and through us for His glory.

I invite you to think with me about the discipline of fasting today. It’s one of the abstinence disciplines, and most of you have already thought of it terms of food. While that may be something that you choose to give up during a time of fasting, just about anything can be an object of fasting. Think about television, the computer, or some hobby that distracts you from God’s work in your life.

Jesus affirmed the importance of fasting and assumed that His followers would fast. (Matthew 6:16) He doesn’t say “if” you fast, but “when” you fast. As I study the lives of Christians through the history of the Church, fasting marks many of their lives. Choosing to deny ourselves helps us remove our focus from our own pleasures and redirect our attention to God and His ongoing work in our lives.

Why would God expect us to fast regularly? It really serves several purposes. First, it reveals the things that control us. (And, those aren’t just physical things. Pride, anger, lust and impatience often show themselves when we choose to deprive ourselves.) Fasting also reminds us that we’re aren’t sustained by bread alone, but by every Word of God.

Finally, fasting helps us maintain balance in our lives. Whether we choose food, television, the computer, or some other pleasure, fasting will help us maintain control over the things that can control us.

By example and instruction, Jesus leads us to fasting as a spiritual discipline. Several people (Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and Donald Whitney come to mind) have written on the subject and help you learn how to pursue this discipline. Those of us who want to see God display His power and grace in our lives will consider the need and benefit of fasting. (Pastor John Strain – First Baptist of Toms River)

Great Quote: The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for theologians to swim in without ever reaching the bottom. – St. Jerome