Mentoring Men for the Master

IS THIS TRUE: YOU HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YOU FAST NOT

The Bible makes it crystal clear that “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:3) or do not pray.  On the other hand, is it true “You have not because you fast not?”  Jesus Himself said that there are times when fasting is necessary to receive what we ask and desire.  Such was the case with an epileptic whom the disciples could not heal, but which Jesus did heal, saying “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew  17:21).

Furthermore, Jesus assumed His disciples would fast.  So He said to them in the great Sermon on the Mount, “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, so they will be noticed by men when they are fasting…But when you fast anoint your head and wash your face so your fasting will not be noticeable my men, but by your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).  Thus we are safe in concluding that Jesus commanded that we fast, told us how to fast, and said fasting was necessary at times to receive what we ask.

However, the enemies of fasting are very real:

  1. Prayerlessness – True fasting is impossible without prayer.
  2. Comfort – I don’t feel like feeling hungry.
  3. Inconvenience – It would effect my schedule too much.
  4. Pride – I’d be ashamed to appear that spiritual.
  5. Unwillingness – I’m just not willing to miss eating.
  6. Narcissism –  self worship
  7. Luke-warmness – Luke warmers don’t pray and certainly won’t fast .

Guidelines for  Biblical Fasting:

  1. Fast only if the Holy Spirit lays the burden on your heart.
  2. Make a specific list of things you believe is God’s will and  for which you are fasting.  This will serve as your prayer targets and will let you know if God has answered you.
  3. Fast only for the glory of God and the good of His kingdom.  Therefore, be very careful not to advertise what you are doing to receive the plaudits of men or the criticisms of the carnal (Matt. 6:16ff).
  4. Fast to bring your body, with all of its appetites, under control.  (Vance Havner) “It is discipline or disaster.”  The Apostle Paul said the same, “I make a slave of my body, lest after I have preached I myself will be put on the shelf.” (1 Cor. 9:26-27).  How many people do  you know who are “on the shelf” because they let their bodies go to pot.
  5. Fast to express your availability to God.  A great pastor and former mentoree of mine writes, “Fasting is your way of saying, “God I am available to hear from you and to do anything you tell me to do.” [1]
  6. Do not fast  to lose weight primarily.  You will lose weight, but that must not be your primary motive in fasting.  “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporary.”[2]
  7. Fasting requires reasonable precautions.  If you have health problems, consult your physician prior to beginning your fast, especially if you are taking medications.
  8. Choose your type of fast.  While the Bible does command fasting, it does not prescribe a specific type of fasting because people are different and need different forms of fasting:
    1. The Daniel Fast – Daniel ate only vegetables and water in Daniel, chapter one; in chapter 10 he ate no rich food.
    2. Juice Fast – This is simply consuming vegetable and fruit juice and water instead of solid food.  I have done this kind of fasting.  Jack Hyles, at one time the pastor of the largest church in America engaged in this kind of fasting.
    3. Water Fast – A water fast is just that – no eating of any food or drinking of any liquid except water.
    4. Total Fast –  A  total fast is neither liquid, solid food, not even water.  David engaged in a total fast for a week, hoping God would spare his child (2 Sam. 12).
  9. Do not be discouraged if you do not see an immediate answer.  We must trust God’s timing and leave the results with Him.
  10. Be joyful for you have done something tangible for God by denying yourself.
  11. Authentic fasting consists of more than abstaining from food – TV – Sports, Sleep.
  12. FYI – Pick up Bill Bennett’s pamphlet, “How to Commence, Continue, and Conclude a Biblical Fast.”

[1] Jay Dennis, The Jesus Habits, p. 217.

[2] Ibid.  p. 216  – Andrew Murray quoted.