You’re Fasting from What?!

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(Originally posted 9/8/2014)

A dear friend from our church asked about what other types of fasting there are beyond food fasts.  This was my response.  I thought it might benefit others of us as well.

– Pastor Darryl

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Hi ________!  I am so glad you asked!  These are important questions!  You’re right; the most frequently talked about type of fasting is from food.  Isaiah 58 is a great chapter to look at regarding fasting.  It points to the food fast where we don’t just turn away our plate, but rather use the setting aside of food to also be a blessing to the broken and hurting among us.  Food fasts are a great thing to do because they put us in a position of very obvious brokenness and need.  Most of us love to EAT!  Matthew 6:16-18 says “16“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  I think that’s the passage you were talking about.

While the Bible never mentions a video game fast or a fast from soap operas, Harry Potter or How I Met Your Mother, there are other ways we can pursue God through self denial.  That’s really what a fast is.  It is a time where we set aside our personal appetites (even the ones that are appropriate) and allow our hunger for the thing to be unsatisfied as we seek the Lord, to be satisfied in Him.  It’s not an even exchange; seeking the Lord is much more satisfying than chicken and potatoes, but usually, our physical bodies, minds and emotions don’t think that way.  Usually, we think that when Zaxby’s is closed for the night, we could cry – but we have no problem going months without seeking the Lord on our knees, in tears, begging him to change our lives, our hearts or our hunger for more of him.  Often, we feel it when no one can go with us to the movies, walk to class with us, play video games with us or eat dinner with us – in those times, we think that we’re lonely.  But so often, the loneliness for God’s nearness is not felt.  Enter fasting.  Fasting is a way for us to consciously deprive ourselves of the normal appetites in order that we feel the hunger for one thing, and allow that hunger to do two things.  First, the hunger for the food/company/entertainment/whatever reminds us what is means to be in need.  Secondly, that feeling of need and emptiness is a reminder to seek the Lord, the invisible One whose absence makes all life unworthy of living.  We seek the Lord from a place of brokenness and emptiness that is literally felt as we embrace physical hunger or other longings that go unsatisfied for the duration of our fast.

Another kind of fast mentioned in Scripture is fasting from physical intimacy in marriage.  This is one of the most clear ways that Scripture shows the nature of fasting.  Without using the word: “fasting,” 1 Corinthians 7:5 mentions a fast from sexual intimacy for a time for husband and wife.   The goal here is intimacy with God: “that you may devote yourselves to prayer.”  That is the goal with every kind of fast, not just that we turn away our plate and feel sad because we miss pizza – no, it’s so that we set aside one thing in exchange for a better thing.  That principle, -while not always mentioned in a clear context of fasting – is repeatedly shown in Scripture.

In Luke 10, Martha was not choosing something bad by focusing on the service and hospitality demands of the moment.  Nope, it’s just that in that moment, Mary had chosen “the good portion” or the better thing to focus on.  You could see that as the same principle.  Mary chose intimacy with Christ over the cultural value of hospitality.  Instead of giving to Jesus, she received from him.

In Hebrews 11, we read about all the faithful people throughout history who have refused the comforts of this world in order to live by faith in the unseen but very real God.  They “fasted” their whole lives, in order to receive God’s best.  “These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

In 1 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul spoke about how he could have made demands on the Church in Thessalonica- that they take care of them.  But instead of doing that which was permissible for him to do, Paul chose to work and not be a burden, so that they could be closer to the Lord.

In Philippians 1, Paul talks about his preference to go and be with the Lord, but he chooses to stay in this life and minister to the Church!  “[23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. [25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:23-25 ESV)

In 2 Cor. 4:2, Paul says that the elders in the Church choose to preach, teach and lead in ways that are yielded to the conscience of the people, not just what he would personally be free to do.

In 1 Cor. 8, we see Paul saying that he would rather never eat meat again if doing so would hinder someone else from pursuing Christ with a full conscience and joy.

SO!  As you see, this principle is throughout Scripture.  Probably the pinnacle example, though, is Christ.  Jesus, as you know and as we rejoice in, chose willingly to suffer and die rather than embrace all the joys, ease and delights of human appetites in this life.  In doing so, Jesus not only drew near to the Father in obedience, himself (Matt. 26:42), but in his ultimate fasting of life and peace, Jesus brought us all to the Father – everyone who believes.

Fasting, is powerful.  It may be food.  It may be books or movies.  None of what we do, however, will be as powerful or life-giving as the fast of Jesus, who gave up his life for us completely.  I hope that your choice to honor the Lord in this way is joyful and pleasant and that you find great satisfaction in Christ!

Yours for Jesus’ sake,

Pastor Darryl