God's Strategy - Part 4: Fasting

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (Romans 8:36-37)

Thus far we have looked at the following tools in our arsenal against the enemy of God: 

  Ø       The Word of God

  Ø       Power and Authority through the Holy Spirit

  Ø       Prayer

Today’s tools are fasting’, the keys to the kingdom and the name of Jesus.  They are the final aspects to our battle plan.

Fasting

Fasting is combined with prayer to wage effective warfare in the spirit world.

People fast for different lengths of time and go on many different types of fasts.  The one thing that is basic about fasting and the importance of it is that if we can discipline our self to fast; regardless to rather it is food or an activity, we are a step closer in the battle against Satan.   

Fasting, in its most simple definition, is going without food. (I've included abstaining from other activities for a particular period of time also as I've found that there are some areas that, at times, also need to be brought under subjection)

According to the Bible there are two types of fasts. The total fast involves in not eating or drinking at all for a particular period of time.   

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.  Acts 9:9 

The partial fast is when the diet is restricted.  

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.  Daniel 10:3

 One of the most important things that we should walk away knowing is:

            We do not fast to change God, because God does not change.

Fasting is a personal matter between an individual and God. It is to be done in private and not boasted about:

Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.   (Matthew 6:16-18)

Leaders may call a corporate fast and request the whole church fellowship to fast:

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.     (Joel 2:15)

There are definite spiritual purposes for fasting. It is important that we understand these, for if we fast for the wrong reasons it will be ineffective.

Look at each of the following references regarding the purposes of fasting. They reveal the great power of fasting in spiritual warfare. We fast:

            -To humble yourself:                   Psalms 35:13; 69:10

            -To repent of sin:                         Joel 2:12

            -For revelation:                            Daniel 9:2; 3:21-22

            -To loose bands of wickedness, lift heavy burdens, set the oppressed free, and break every bondage:                                              Isaiah 58:6

            -To feed the poor, both physically and spiritually:       Isaiah 58:7

            -To be heard of God:                   II Samuel 12:16,22; Jonah 3:5,10

Fasting does not change God. It changes us. God relates to us on the basis of our relationship with Him. When we change, then the way God deals with us is affected. But fasting does change how He deals with us. The book of Jonah is an example of how this happened in the city of Ninevah.

How long you fast depends upon what God speaks into your spirit. He may lead you to fast a short or lengthy time.   Despite the length, discipline is the key; denying yourself; becoming weak in the flesh in order to grow stronger in the kingdom.  Fasting and meditation go hand in hand.  While fasting, think on God, study his word, pray to Him and don’t be distracted by what is going on around you.  If possible, don’t be involved with television, social media, unnecessary conversations person to person or via phone or any other extracurricular activity as this is a time that should be dedicated, consecrated and shared with God.

(Biblical Studies)

04/27/16