FASTING – Motivation

Why do we fast? I believe it is important to check our motives before we begin a fast.

Are we trying to manipulate God? If so, we won’t see a thing. Are we trying to show how very spiritual we are? If so, we mock God and ourselves (Matt 6:16 – 18). Fasting to be noticed by men is useless. In fact, most often others should not be aware that we ARE fasting. Jeremiah 14:12 (and general area) teaches us that fasting with a rebellious heart does not move God.

I believe we fast first and foremost out of obedience. Passages such as Matt 6 show us that Jesus expects his disciples to fast. In Matt 9:15 Jesus seems to be saying that a time will come when He will go away and His disciples will then fast. He seems to expect that at some point in time, Christians will be fasting. Fasting illustrates our physical separation from the bridegroom and our yearning for Him.

I believe we fast because it teaches us much about discipline. We do NOT fast in order to keep salvation. We fast because grace has appeared and it teaches us how to live sensibly, disciplined and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11 – 13). In I Cor 9:27 Paul speaks of “disciplining” his body. When we fast, we put our flesh into submission. We also put our mind and soul into submission as we train them to prayer and worship. We move ourselves into a position to hear from God on any given matter. Fasting stems from a deep need to HEAR God; not to shout at Him. We spend intentional time petitioning His face on behalf of a situation. Fasting humbles us (Ps 69:10). Often a renewed awareness of Jesus’ presence in our life and in the situation we are fasting for results from fasting. This may be a dramatic sense of His presence or a quiet assurance of His sovereign love that comes from focusing on Him, His promises, His sacrifice and His love for us.

One last thought, Jesus is fasting now. Jesus told His disciples on the night he was betrayed that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He would drink it anew in His Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29). Jesus is sitting at the Father’s right hand in heaven, interceding and fasting (at least a partial fast) for His chosen. We can join Him in the fast.