RADICAL FASTING: What the Bible Say

An understanding of radical fasting enables you to know when, why, how and how long Christian fasting should be. You may ask: do I really have to fast? What are the benefits of fasting? The question is are you really ready for the Holy spirit to speak to you? We love God but, sometimes, our human nature gets in the way. And we tend to distance ourselves from God and go in our own separate ways. At such times, we need to refill ourselves with God’s presence. And one powerful way of doing so is to PRAY and FAST. That was what Moses did and what the apostles did and what Jesus our Lord and Savior.

How fasting was done in the Bible

What is Fasting?

Fasting is when you set aside what you enjoy in other for you to grow spiritually. It is abnormally putting God first. In Joel 2 vs. 12 the Bible says:

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

when we sacrifice our apatite, it does something to our spirit. Also, in the spiritual realm, fasting is not just missing a meal or going on a diet. But it is about going closer to God and when this is missing, you might not have a successful fasting as we saw in Isaiah 58 v 3 to  4

‘Why have we fasted,’  they say,  ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.

RADICAL FASTING: What the Bible Say

This means that when you fast, you need to change your mind and your prayer life. Moreover, you may cut down on watching television, stop playing video games and start studying the Bible. You might also ask: do I really have to fast? That depends on how much of God you really want. Jesus, our model showed us how to grow and live like Him. That is, by following in His example. However, fasting was one of those examples

RADICAL FASTING: What the Bible Say

How to Fast

In Matthew 6 vs. 16 to 18, the Bible says:

 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [e]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [f]openly.

In the above passage, we notice that Jesus did not say “if you fast” but, “when you fast.” That implies that He wants us to fast. Again, you don’t need to go and brag about it, for example, by saying: “I am so holy, I am fasting.” But, you need to keep it to yourself and if you do so as the bible says, your Father will reward you.

RADICAL FASTING: What the Bible Say