Secret Service (Prt 3)
- Jul 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 12, 2024
Jesus in His sermon gives three examples of what true worship is like and how one glorifies God. Three examples are giving, praying, and fasting.Today we are looking at fasting!
Gerard Kelly - “Life in the fasting lane – lost art of prayer made physical.”
Jesus warns against calculating outward acts of righteousness so that others see. Like the man – “I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:9-14). Although the Old Testament required only one fast a year (Lev 16:29), history tells us the Pharisees fasted on a Monday and a Thursday to multiply their religious duties. The Pharisee in Luke 18 was really saying: ‘God, I’m more righteous than you require.’ Twice a week! One hundred fasts a year! It looked so good on the outside. But God knew what was going on inside!
B.T.W. This is an important point for all of our worship!
But the Pharisees had missed the point.They fasted from food, only to feed their pride. Their fasting had no value before God. That’s why Jesus said that the praise of men was their only reward.
John Piper: “Jesus is calling us to a radically God oriented living and praying and fasting. So, for the sake of your own soul… let the Father who sees in secret observe how hungry you are for him.”
What is Fasting?
One definition states – “Anything (not just food) that is part of your normal, everyday life can be laid aside temporarily or permanently for the purpose of pursuing God and Godliness.”
Dr Lloyd-Jones’ definition: “fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting.”
You could fast from food and/or alcohol and spend time with God, you could do the same and have a fast from the TV, your computer, social media. We must realise, it’s not a punishment but a privilege, because it’s drawing us closer to God and He is more interested in our walk with Him.
We must realise fasting is less about what I put into my mouth and more about what I allow into my heart.
Fasting is how Israel responded when God’s glory was dishonoured, when God’s will was thwarted, or when God’s people suffered defeat.
Each one of us should incorporate seasons of fasting into our spiritual life.The early Church fasted. Look at Acts 13:2-3, where the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to their missionary work while the believers were worshiping and fasting.
In Acts 14:23, after Paul and Barnabas established churches in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch they appointed elders and committed them to the Lord “with prayer and fasting.” Fasting was an expectation and practice of the Church, and it should be for today’s Church as well.
There are many reasons to fast. Those defining moments of life when you’re needing to discern God’s direction. To fast and pray for healing or needing refreshment. What about fasting before God for revival and to see friends come to salvation. Or knowing how distracted our hearts can be, what about fasting and getting alone with God and discovering that spiritual intimacy with Him again.
Can I just say, it should never be the idea that our fasting will move God to do what we want. The sole purpose is to move us closer to God and to seek His will in our lives.
Maybe God is just waiting for this to happen!
John Stott said that,“many Christians live as though Matt 6 v 16 -18 has been ripped out of their Bibles.”
In our text, Jesus taught or expected fasting as a natural means of discipleship. He said, “When you fast ... .” Real fasting is between you and God, not something you do to show off. The important point, is your heart fixed on God? Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform our life. He can restore the loss of "first love" and bring a more intimate relationship with Christ.
Fasting is more than a diet adjustment; it should be accompanied with prayer, meditation, and study of God’s word."Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out” (Joel 1:14).
We should, through prayer and fasting, seek those things we know are God’s will for our lives, our families and our church and community.
A word of caution: Before you attempt to go on a fast, especially where it involves food/drink, please be very careful. This should not be detrimental to your health and physical wellbeing!
George Whitfield wanted more of God, he sought Him day and night with fasting and prayer. He actually got frost bite from lying on the ground too much. He records in his journal, “I resolved to die or conquer.” It’s recorded at one point, he became so ill that he couldn’t read his Greek New Testament for more than two hours a day! One day the Holy Spirit met him in the park, and from this encounter there was a revival.
Stop and think!
Why do we fast and pray? “To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free…” (Is 58:6).
Perhaps one of the greatest lies we get caught up with in our life in Christ is the false notion that fasting is radical Christianity, an optional but worthwhile exercise for the healthy Christian life. It’s not! Fasting is the norm’ of Christian life. You are giving up or going without something you need/want in order to pursue someone you need even more – God!
R. Foster: “Fasting reminds us that we are sustained ‘by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us.”
Maybe some of you will say, ‘I want more of God.’ Actually, it should be, ‘I want God to have more of me.’ Perhaps even ‘ALL OF ME!!
’That is why the LORD says,“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12).
When the kingdom of heaven is at work in us, it will take some serious commitment; cost you your convenience and even your comfort.
But, you will know God and want to spend time with Him, and the best way to do that is quietly, on your own, because you realise God’s presence is a transforming presence.
Andrew Murray: “Fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal… helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”
May it be so for His glory.
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