Why Spiritual Disciplines?
We have been learning about spiritual disciplines, focus, simplicity, and today, fasting.
A crucial reminder: spiritual disciplines do not move God.
- They are not for manipulating God.
- They are not to impress God.
- They are not to force God’s hand.
God has already moved toward us in Christ.He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.The purpose of spiritual disciplines is simply to bring us into a posture where we can fully receive and enjoy what God has already provided.
The Discipline of Focus
To focus on God is to fix our eyes on Him alone. Like a magnifying glass concentrating the sun’s rays, focus enables us to experience the fullness of God’s power and presence.Peter walked on water while looking at Jesus, but sank when he shifted focus to the storm.
The Discipline of Simplicity
Luke 12:15 “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Simplicity guards our hearts from greed and material pressure. The believer lives free from showmanship and unnecessary burdens.
Understanding Biblical Fasting
Many grew up with misunderstandings about fasting, seeing it as painful, difficult, or as a tool to get God to act .But the Bible paints a different picture. Biblical fasting is voluntary abstinence from food for a spiritual purpose. Other forms of abstinence exist e.g Daniel’s fast, refraining from pleasure, etc.but Scripture primarily refers to food.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us: Set ourselves apart, Quiet distractions, Engage in focused fellowship with God, Feed on the Word, Train our bodies to be subject to our spirits
Old Covenant vs New Covenant Fasting
Understanding the covenants is essential:
Old Testament Fasting
They fasted to: Seek God’s face, Repent and seek forgiveness, Plead for open heavens, Ask for protection, victory, or divine intervention, Renew covenants. Their fasting was works-based because the Old Covenant was based on performance.
New Testament Fasting
We do not fast for: God’s presence — He lives in us. Forgiveness — We have been forgiven in Christ. Blessings — We are already blessed with every spiritual blessing. Getting things from God — He freely gives us all things.
To fast for these reasons is fear-driven, not faith-driven, and is therefore unbiblical.New Covenant fasting is not to move God. It is to move us.
Why We Fast Today
A. Consecration & Fellowship
This is the core purpose. We fast because we desire uninterrupted fellowship with the Father giving attention to prayer and the Word.
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
When we fast, we declare: I don’t live by physical food alone. I live by the Word. My life is sustained by God.
B. Spiritual Sensitivity
Fasting tunes our hearts to hear God clearly and keeps our spiritual senses sharp.
C. Mastery Over the Flesh
- Fasting trains the body to submit to the spirit.
- A lifestyle of constant eating brings believers under the power of food—gluttony is a weight that hinders spirituality.Paul said: I discipline my body and bring it under control.” (1 Cor. 9:27)
D. Physical Benefits
Though not the main purpose, fasting allows: The body to rest, Detoxification and cell renewal (autophagy), Better health and restored energy
Fasting as a Lifestyle
- Scripture gives no specific law about how or when to fast.
- But believers are encouraged to fast regularly as led by the Spirit.
- The Christian is free, but must not use freedom to indulge the flesh. (Gal. 5:13)
- The more you fast, the more natural fasting becomes.
Corporate Fasting in the New Testament
Whenever the early church fasted together, it was never for material things.
Corporate fasting was for: Ministry decisions, Ordaining elders, Sending missionaries (Acts 13 & 14), Seeking God’s will, Spiritual clarity
Warnings Against Religious Fasting (Isaiah 58)
God rebuked Israel for fasting: To manipulate Him, While living inconsistent, unloving lives, Without true repentance.
The fast God loves is one that: Breaks oppression, Shares food with the hungry, Clothes the poor, Extends love and mercy
True fasting affects both our relationship with God and people.
