Pursuing Our Destiny, Part 9—The Discipline of Fasting

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27, ESV).

In speaking of the discipline of fasting, Tony Jones writes: I hate fasting.  No, seriously, I hate it, and I avoid it all costs.  It is my least favorite of the disciplines in this book. I wish I didn’t have to write about it.  I wish it weren’t so deeply rooted in the history of God’s people.  Then I could ignore it. (The Sacred Way, by Tony Jones)

In my experience, many Christians talk about fasting, but I’ve known very few who practice it.  And, I confess that my practice of this discipline has been hit and miss through the years.  Reading about and thinking about fasting to prepare for this article has reminded me how important fasting is and how much it needs to be a part of my regular spiritual practices.

Let me remind you.  We don’t pursue these spiritual practices for the fun of it.  Our goal is to experience transformation so that our lives more and more look like the life of Jesus.  Our God-ordained destiny, according to Romans 8:29, is to be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus.  The practices of Jesus become the spiritual practices of our lives so that his life may become our lives.

So, back to fasting.  Thomas a Kempis wrote centuries ago about fasting: Arm yourself manfully against the wickedness of the devil; control the appetite, and you will more easily control all bodily desires.  We most often think about fasting as abstinence of food, and that’s the way we most often see it used in Scripture.  The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible defines fasting like this: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function—most often eating—for the sake of intense spiritual activity.

Fasting has several benefits.  In the context of Paul’s words at the opening of this piece, abstaining from food helps build self-control.  We tell our bodily desires that they don’t control us; we control them (in and by the power of the Holy Spirit).  Since we live in a world that is out of control, taking steps to avoid being pressed into the world’s mold (Romans 12:2) is always good for us.  Abstinence also benefits our spiritual growth by making us more sensitive to God’s work in our lives.  While we experience the want of going without, the practice of fasting attunes us to our dependence upon God.  That’s what Jesus experienced while fasting for 40 days in the wilderness.

Even if you’re not an over-eater, choosing to do without for the purpose of drawing nearer to God and becoming more like Jesus is still a good practice.  The practice can carry over to other appetites—especially if they seem out of control.  Money.  Sex.  The Internet.  Anything that controls you in any way can best be overcome by choosing to abstain from it for some period of time.

This is a practice to begin with care.  If health issues might be a problem, talk to your doctor first.  You may want to start with fasting for one meal.  Acclimate your body a bit and then fast for two meals.  Eventually, finding a day to fast regularly will benefit your transformation.  As best you can, use the time not invested in eating for prayer, time in God’s Word, or combine your fast times with silence and solitude.

Please don’t forget.  It’s all about becoming more and more like Jesus! – Pastor Strain blogs weekly on Freedom Fighter

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 18-19; Acts 13:1-25

Quote of the day: A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you. So carve you name on hearts, and not on marble. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Verse to Memorize: Your promise is well tried and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Psalm 119:140-141 ESV