The Weapons of our Warfare

FASTING

Said John Wesley in 1789, "It would be easy to show in many respects the Methodists in general are deplorably wanting in the practice of Christian self- denial. While we were at Oxford, the rule of every Methodist was to fast every Wednesday and Friday in imitation of the primitive church.

Now this practice of the primitive church was universally allowed. 'Who does not know,' says Epiphanius, an ancient writer, 'that the fast of the fourth and sixth days of the week are observed by Christians throughout the world?' So they were by the Methodists for several years, by them all without exception. . . The man who never fasts is no more on the way to heaven than the man who never prays."

While Mr. Wesley may not have biblical authority for such a view, it is remarkable that such a great spiritual leader should express himself so strongly.

I. Lessons on fasting from the life of Moses. Ex. 24:18,34:28; Deut. 9:9, 18.

A. Moses' fast was supernatural in that he drank no water.

B. Forty days is approximately the cycle of the human body in fasting, and with water almost all could do this.

C. Moses fasted forty days twice with perhaps little interval.

II. Lessons on fasting from the life of Elijah. I Kings 19:8.

A. He was strong throughout his fast.

B. By implication, he did not eat for forty days but he did drink water.

C. Elijah also fasted the forty day period, as did Moses.

III. Lessons on fasting from the life of Daniel. 6:18, 9:3, 10:3.

A. In concern for Daniel, the king spent the night fasting. This indicates that a fast may well be a very short period.

B. The king in his concern for Daniel did not have any entertainment. This self-denial was a form of fasting.

C. Daniel did not fast forty days - simply twenty-one days.

D. Daniel did not eat pleasant bread, nor flesh, nor wine. Note that it does not say that he did not eat.

E. Fasting is, in essence, self-denial. It does not always mean total abstinence from food.

IV. Lessons on fasting from the book of Jonah.

A. The people proclaimed the fast. 3:5.

B. The King supported the fast. 3:7.

C. The fast was total. 3:7.

D. Even the animals fasted. 3:7.

E. They added repentance to fasting. 3:8.

F. The greatest revival in the Bible followed. 3:10.

V. Lessons on fasting from the life of Esther. 4:16.

A. A spiritual leader may call a fast.

B. Other associates are obligated to co-operate.

VI. Lessons on fasting from the life of Paul. II Cor. 6:5, 11 :27.

A. Paul speaks of being In fastings.

B. He was in fastings often.

C. He finds a difference between hungerings and fastings.

VII. Lessons on fasting from the life of Jesus. Matt. 4:2.

A. The Lord also fasted forty days.

B. We presume that he drank water but did not eat. Satan did not tempt him on the point of thirst but just hunger.

C. He was afterward an hungered. He suffered no hunger during the fast.

D. Three years of miracles followed His fasting. There were none before He fasted.

VIII. Lessons on fasting from Matthew chapter six.

A. God promises open reward for secret action in praying, giving, and fasting. vs. 4, 6, and 18.

B. These are separate promises and each may be claimed separately. This means that fasting without prayer can have power and open reward. (For example, it is not necessary to give alms to pray, why then should it be necessary to pray when fasting? A warning is vital here. There should be no deliberate disassociation of fasting from prayer.)

IX. Lessons on fasting from the book of Acts.

A. Fasting preceded the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul for the work to which they were called. Acts 13:2.

B. Fasting accompanied the organization of the local church. Acts 14:23.

X. Lessons from Isaiah chapter fifty-eight, verse six.

A. Fasting will loose the bands of wickedness.

B. Fasting will undo the heavy burdens.

C. Fasting will free the oppressed.
(Satanic attack is usually classed in three categories: oppression, obsession, and possession.)

D. Fasting will break every yoke.

XI. Lessons on fasting from Mark 2: 19 and 20.

A. Jesus was the bridegroom. While He was present, the disciples did not fast.

B. Now that Jesus has been taken away from His disciples, they are to fast. This is New Testament warrant for fasting.

XII. Summary of how we may fast:

A. Secretly. Matt. 6: 18.

B. Publicly. Acts 13:2.

C. In response to the call of a spiritual leader. Esther 4: 16.

D. Carnally and without effectiveness. Is. 58: 1-5.

XIII. Fasting is an expression of the indwelling Christ. Matt. 4:2; Col. 1:27.

Exhortation: There are some things that will be accomplished by fasting that will be accomplished no other way.

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