Fasting
Americans practice diets because we overfeed ourselves, eat stress tabs because we overwork, and vitamins because we are undernourished. As Christians we should ask ourselves, is God glorified when our bodies are weak or sick because we fail to give them their Sabbath of rest and relaxation?
Fasting is a way to give your body a rest from constantly digesting food you have eaten. Fasting is for internal cleansing and purifications; it aids in flushing deadly poisons from the body. The body cannot flush out these poisons if it is in the process of digesting food. Every animal in the wilderness knows that in fasting you are working with nature to help expel the wastes and poisons that have accumulated in your body. Fasting is animal instinct, and the only method an animal has to help overcome any physical trouble. Humans have lost this instinct.
Fasting works three ways; you purify your body physically, mentally and spiritually. Our physical condition can often influence our spiritual lives more than we realize. The greatest benefit of all is the inner peacefulness and spiritual tranquility that fasting will bring. Medical professionals have rediscovered fasting as nature’s primary method of healing and there is a reawakening to the important role of fasting in attaining spiritual development.
Dr. Sage Campione strongly believes fasting should be a part of a person’s regime, whether it is once a week or once a month.
“Fasting gives the body’s system a break. The liver can then cleanse and repair any damaged tissue. The other benefit is the calmness it brings to a person. After a fast, one’s perspective is clear and this can assist in being a better Christian. It all ties together!” says Campione.
“Fasting does not change God; it changes man. A cleansing process takes place. The awareness of the purification of the heart builds faith and faith in God means authority with God.” CHARLES STANLEY
“Fasting makes you more sensitive. It doesn’t change God. It helps your spirit become more sensitive to His Spirit, so His Spirit can manifest Himself through you.” KENNETH HAGIN
We have not been commanded to fast, rather it is expected that we will. Many examples are found in the Bible. Jesus said “when”, not “if”; assuming His disciples would fast. (Matt 6:16-18) Only one fast was specifically commanded in the Old Testament (The Day of Atonement Lev 16:29-31), but people often fasted when they wanted God to hear their prayers. However, fasting was fruitless when it was done for the wrong reason, without true repentance, or to be seen by men. Jesus fasted in time of temptation. He taught His disciples about fasting on several occasions. Paul regarded fasting as a mark of his ministry (2 Cor 6:4-10). Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand, utilized whenever there is a strong desire for God’s blessing and guidance.
The Great Masters fasted. In Alexandria Egypt, when it was the education center of the world, people had to fast for 40 days before they could enter and study with the master of that time. Jesus fasted for forty days and Buddha took long fasts. So did Gandhi. We know that in ancient times the patriarchs of the Bible, Moses, Elijah, David, fasted frequently. Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle practiced fasting, as did Confucius and the Yogis of India. Many great spiritual leaders had great confidence in the power of fasting, not only to improve the physical body, but also to have a keener understanding of God. Prove it to yourself. See how much sharper and more alert your mind becomes after a fast. After a fast of from one to three days you will notice that a dark cloud has been lifted out of your mind.
Kenneth Hagen says, “There are no iron-clad ways to fast…the main thing in all the affairs of life is to be led by the Spirit of God. Some people try to make a religion out of fasting. They push themselves to an extreme thinking work will get the job done.”
Daniel fasted 21 days. He ate no pleasant bread.” We need to realize there is more than one way to fast. It is a matter of keeping the flesh under, keeping the body under and not letting it dominate you.
“Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason, and others have utterly disregarded it.” JOHN WESLEY
Do not be ignorant in this matter; it is our duty to care for the Temple of the Holy Spirit, our bodies. Research fasting for yourself.
The best research is to try it. The Jews fast from dinner to dinner, a 24 hour fast. You will experience results the first time.