Last week, I mentioned how we need to be disciplined in order to grow as disciples of Christ. One of the ways we can become more disciplined in our walk with Christ is by fasting. Thankfully, intermittent fasting is one of the more recent dieting trends, so many people are becoming more aware of fasting and its physical benefits. However, this article is not focused on the physical benefits of fasting. Rather, this brief introduction will focus on the spiritual benefits.
Why fast? How can being physically hungry benefit you spiritually? One reason is because the New Testament shows us that Jesus and the early church fasted. While Jesus never explicitly commands his disciples to fast, he refers to that it will be a part of their lives (Matt 17:21; Mark 2:20). Paul and the apostles fasted on important occasions, such as before the first missionary journey (Acts 13:2, 3) and at the appointment of elders (Acts 14:23). Therefore, by fasting, we are restoring New Testament Christianity in the 21st century.
Another reason we ought to fast is to protect ourselves from the consumerist culture in which we live. Most of American culture hates being hungry. We love to feast on delicious foods and stuff ourselves full of delectable meals. We hardly know what it feels like to go without eating for 12 hours. While eating delicious food is not a sin, we often lack restraint when it comes to eating (myself included!). Therefore, taking a break from eating can help us to practice self-control and experience that fruit of the spirit.
A final reason for fasting is that when we fast, we recognize our dependence on God and our own frailty. Whenever you go without eating and the hunger pangs kick in, you recognize in that moment how much you depend upon food for your own happiness. These pangs can serve as a reminder to you of how much you need to hunger and thirst for God, how you need to live by his word rather than by food alone (Deut. 8:3), and how frail our happiness really is. After practicing fasting for a consistent amount of time, your commitment to God will grow along with your discipline and self-control when you are tempted.
While there are several more spiritual advantages, these are the major ones that I have discovered. Next week, I will discuss a few practical ways you can start practicing fasting in an effective and spiritual manner. Thus, I will leave you with this final question: Are you hungering for a fast?
