The benefits of fasting in today’s Christian modern times:
Believers are taught in modern churches today under the “construction of polity”, that a leader has the authority to articulate a gospel of challenge to the people under their leadership. And may be labeled under the congregational polity. Congregational polity, which allows the congregation the right to hire and remove a minister. Why are pastors reluctant to challenge their congregation to explore the benefits of fasting? Or are pastors afraid of the challenge of confrontation the congregation might display? The great benefits to fasting when it comes from a pure heart and pure intentions, especially being a Christian and living out the Christianity lifestyle. The benefits in biblical fasting is the discipline that takes hold in a person’s life that allows structure and guidance. When Christians operate in that discipline when fasting there is an obedience that takes places in a person’s life and body when fasting, along with the physical cleansing of the body and healthy dieting. A Christian when biblical fasting is set free from sin and walks in a liberation from mental strong holds of the mind and demonic powers that keep people in bondage. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Thus saith the Lord” (Isaiah 58:5–7 New King James Version). Leaders and Christians are tired of tough turbulent times, praying and constantly reaching out to others for prayer; wondering why nothing is happening in their Christian life and falling back into habitual sins of the flesh. Many are tired of not having structure or discipline in their spiritual relationship with the Lord. Or always making unwise decisions and; constantly being distracted not letting God have full control or not experiencing true liberty in their lives. In religion, believers are taught in some denominations. For true believers to remain free spiritually and physical; sacrifice of prayer and fasting in Christianity in today’s modern time is required.
Just imagine the story in the book of Matthew 17:14–20 of the boy who was healed by Jesus from demons often. He was brought to the disciples they were not able to cure him, and the disciples had to ask Jesus privately why they could not cast the demon out of the boy. Jesus said to them in verse 21 However; this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Natural fasting is abstaining from food or beverage for mental health and physical purposes and not relying on the spiritual or connecting with God. Intermittent fasting is a lifestyle pattern of deciding to skip meals; and burning your calories off quicker by choosing to eat at specific times of the day. Natural intermittent fasting repairs multiple body tissue in the body and helps reproduce stronger cells. The repairing is often hindered when there is poor balance dieting. (Axe).
In Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting” (NKJV). Matthew pertains to this topic depending on what kind of fast that a person chooses, or the Lord chooses for a person. Proper posture should always be followed when fasting biblical as a Christian. The Lord requires our posture to remain humble and disciplined people are not to act as if we are in starvation; and boasting to show others a fast is being done before man. Believers who are fasting for the Lord are not to expose to people in public they are fasting and walking around sad due to not eating. Jesus’s demonstrates a great example of fasting and gives encouragement and motivation for Christians to fast as well. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil in Matt 4:2. His temptations in the wilderness show us that Jesus was tested as an Israelite. Where Israel failed the test, Jesus came through and prevailed. The Christian fulfillment of fasting should be to spread the cheerfulness, joy of Christ’s presence and power to demonstrate in action by teaching and sharing with the needy.
The history of fasting comes from the Hebrew term Tsum which is defined as the practice of self-denial. Biblical spiritual fasting is meant for modern times and one of the reasons there is very little fasting today is; the sinfulness of the human heart as well as the lack of humbleness. Or could it be that pastors are afraid to bring this topic of fasting up due to people not liking what is preaching and wanting to leave the church of being challenged? Would it benefit the congregations if the pastor takes the approach of impression management? The impression management rather not deal with personal conviction or deal with the congregation. Another approach that could be happening in churches today when facing the reality of fasting, could be some pastors could be taking on the conscientious conformer, who focuses on the comforting side of the gospel. That person in place at that time will not deal with challenges and will try to pass confrontation dilemma’s on to the other person to handle. Spiritual fasting, “It is a physical expression of the heart hungering for the second coming of Christ. Fasting is paralleled with benevolent giving and with prayer” (Rishel 84). Fasting changes, a man’s character, it does not change who God is and brings the soul and body into subjection. It will reveal the true intentions of a persons or believers heart, when people are controlled or struggling with their flesh whatever struggle it may be; that is what will be revealed and may cause a battle in a person’s mind. When people struggle with their flesh and mind the bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:4–6, “For our weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (KJV).
Christians are reminded, “fasting is only a way which God hath ordained, wherein we wait for his unmerited mercy not as a work of merit” (Rishel 92). Fasting spiritually allows believers to acknowledge their dependence solely on Christ for all their needs and not rely on fleshly desires. Believers are reminded as Christians it is the Lord’s will that is to be followed not a person’s own desires. Believers who exercise a biblical could be seeking solution to the flesh that is sinful, deeply rooted, horribly deceptive, suborn, self-willed and gratifying appetites of the flesh. When people decide to be fasting, biblical there is a requirement to be obedient and humble; that leads to repentance of sin and confession of the follower or person trying a fast. When a person maintains obedience during a fast and seeks the Lord’s face to know more of him and his true will for our lives. “Let us not believe that the external fast form visible food alone can possibly be sufficient for protection of heart and purity of body unless it is untied with a fast of the soul. For the soul also has foods, which are harmful; slander, anger, envy, vain glory and lust” (Rishel 87).
Biblical fasting may require abstaining from food or certain foods.; and could include sacrificing something done on a regular basis like watching television, social media or digital technology etc. For believers fasting could be abstaining from evil deeds such as sin, resisting temptation; there is a wholeness and righteousness that takes place when doing a spiritual fast that is pleasing to the Lord. There is repentance and seeking forgiveness, desire for God’s presence along with seriousness in prayer when dealing with spiritual fasting. Both fast are done voluntarily unless the Lord lays it on your heart to do a spiritual fast.
The benefits for both fast are, diets are confined, they give discipline and order in a person’s every life the flesh is mortified. Humility takes places, as the body comes under subjection and there is a high call of self-control. A person body will be cleansed from toxic substances and restoration of the body takes place. Energy is increased along with a calmness, easier to focus and remain calm in undesirable circumstances or situations people face in their everyday lives. A person’s feelings and emotions are purged when fasting whether it be a biblical fast or intermittent fast; meaning a person is not quick to be judgmental or biased by what has happened in person’s life or their past. Wisdom is increased in a person when fasting before speaking or acting along with a new perspective. Fasting has caused people to be healed from sickness and diseases. Here are some of the disease’s that have been cured from fasting, migraine’s, colitis, prostate trouble, arthritis, allergies, multiple sclerosis, ulcers, and cataracts. Fasting is told to have treated schizophrenics, says Allan Cott, who is an international respected psychiatrist.
There are believers who seek for consistency and change in their local churches and want to be challenged when it comes to fasting. However, are leaders in the church willing to take accountability by remained in their status role in the church without wanting popularity of position or reward to take on the challenges thrown their way? And take the approach of a confronting challenger by not swaying from the word of God and walking in confidence. To express the benefits of fasting whether spiritually or intermittent? Why pass the beauty of fasting for someone else to teach, when leaders can take a stand and not be afraid. God’s intentions are for humanity to be socially located.
References:
Axe, Josh.“TheBenefitsofIntermittentFasting.” Nutrition,Sept.2013,https://draxe.com/intermittent-fasting-benefits/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2017.
Grunlan, Stephen A, and Milton Reimer. Christian Perspectives On Sociology. Wipf And Stock Publishers, 2001
Martin, Paul. “The Benefits of Fasting.” The Christian Century, http://www.religion online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1155.
Ménière’s disease.” National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. NIDCD, 13 Feb. 2017.
Rishel, Joel. “Why God’s People Should Fast — by: Joel Rishel.” Reformation and Revival, vol. RAR 11:4 (Fall 2002), 2017, http://www.galaxie.com/article/rar11-4-05.
