THE FASTING GOD APPROVES!
By Bibleman
By Bibleman
The Bible tells us how to fast in a way that it is acceptable to God. It is important that we fast according to the principles God has given to us in His Word. If we do not fast in the right way the Lord may not hear and answer our prayers. If our fast is merely a religious ritual done with wrong motives or for selfish reasons the Lord will not answer our prayers (Isa. 58:4). If we do fast in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to Him our prayers will be heard. The Lord promises to reward us and bless us when we fast in a way that pleases Him. When we fast we should seek to know the Lord better and have a closer walk with Him. Acceptable fasting along with righteous living will bring the intervention of God into your life to restore you, meet your needs, answer your prayers and bless you more abundantly!
HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD
In the Old Testament those who fasted laid down in sackcloth and ashes, as an act of humility before God (Isa. 58:5; Dan. 9:3). Jesus told us to begin our fasting with the humble act of anointing our head with oil and washing our face in a secret place. Fasting must never be done in a self-righteous or boastful way as though we were more spiritual than others (Mt. 6:17,18). If you are doing an individual fast there is no need to let others know that you are fasting. If you are married it is good to fast with your spouse for a short time (1 Cor. 7:5). The Lord guides and teaches those who have a meek spirit (Ps. 25:9). Meekness is a very important and rewarding fruit of the spirit (Ps. 37:10,11; Pr. 22:4; Gal. 5:22,23; 1 Pet. 5:6). If you want God’s favor and grace fast in a humble way (Jam. 4:6).
REPENT OF ALL SIN IN YOUR LIFE
Fasting is a very good time to repent of any area in your life that is not pleasing to God. Ask forgiveness of all your sins and for the Lord to give you spiritual strength to overcome them. Forgive any other people who have offended you so that you can receive the forgiveness and healing that you need (Mt. 6:14,15). Confess your faults to God and be genuinely sorry for them (Ps. 32:5; 38:18). Turn from all the ways in your life that are dark and unpleasant to God (Jonah 3:10). Ask the Lord to blot out all your transgressions and cleanse you of all your unrighteousness (Ps. 51:1; 1Jn. 1:9). Clean up your life and get rid of all the things of the world that pollute and contaminate your spiritual life (Acts 19:18,19; 2 Cor. 7:1). The Lord
is willing to mercifully pardon the sins of his people and heal them if they will repent (Isa. 55:7; Lk. 15:20
BE CONSECRATED TO GOD
While fasting we should seek the Lord with all of our heart (Joel 2:12). Seek to know the Lord more intimately and personally. Seek to draw closer to Him and to understand His will for your life. An abiding relationship with Christ can only be obtained by reading and obeying the Word of God. Christian believers are to consecrate their lives to God. One who is consecrated to God is not conformed to this world. A consecrated Christian has a renewed mind that seeks to know God more personally and live in a way that glorifies and honors Him (Rom. 12:1,2; 1 Cor. 6:20). A consecrated believer will live to please God and bring glory to His name. When you fast seek to be fully consecrated to the Lord so you can discover his perfect will for your life (Rom. 12:2).
PRACTICE CHRISTIAN LOVE
The Bible tells us that when we are fasting to consider the needs of those around us Isa. 58:7,10). We need to lift up the needs of our neighbors to God. We need to do what we can to help the poor and needy. When we reach out to those in need we are serving God in way that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. If we are sowing in a way that helps those around us we will also reap the help that we need from God (Acts 20:35; Gal. 6:7). The sharing of material abundance with those in need is an act of Christian love that pleases God (1 Jn. 3:17). The Lord wants His people to be rich in doing good deeds. Good works and fruitfulness helps justify us before God and helps perfect our faith (Jam. 2:22-26). The Lord intervenes quickly on behalf of the person who fasts and helps the needy (Isa. 58:6-11).
BE JUST AND UPRIGHT
The Lord wants us to be honest and just with everyone we deal with. Unfairness in our relationships with others will hinder the success of our fasting. We must remove all the oppressive yokes from those upon whom we have them placed. Christians should never place any oppressive or enslaving burdens upon others. Pay a fair wage to those who work for you and do not over-burden them. Seek to be a just person who has a good conscience. If you do not offend God or other people in all your dealings and transactions you will be a just person (Acts 24:16; Heb. 13:18). It is far better to practice honesty and fairness and be content than to obtain riches through dishonest practices (Pr. 16:8). An honest man will be blessed with good health and longevity (Deut. 25:14-16). There are many blessings in store for the man who fasts having clean hands and a pure heart (Ps. 24:3,4; Isa. 58:9-12).
BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS
The Bible says don’t point the finger of scorn and ridicule at other believers or those you don’t like (Isa. 58:9). Those who regard and treat people in a contemptuous and disrespectful manner will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10). Jesus said we should not even disrespect or despise our enemies but find ways to bless them and be good to them (Mt. 5:44). Some people view poverty as a curse and they look down at them with contempt but the Lord wants us to love them and help them (Isa. 58:7,10). Some husbands and wives are not considerate and respectful towards each other as they should be (Eph. 5:33; 1 Pet. 3:7). There are others who do not honor their father and mother the way they are supposed too (Ex. 20:10). If we despise certain people and treat people unequally we become transgressors who cannot fulfill the royal law (Jam. 2:1-9). God’s word tells us to take pleasure in highly honoring and respecting one another without any distinctions (Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3; 1 Thes. 5:13). The Lord will honor our fasting and hear our requests if we are considerate and respectful to others (Isa. 58:9).
BE SELF-DISCIPLINED
The Lord will honor our fasting and answer our prayer requests if we refrain from all forms of unworthy, wicked, deceitful, unjust and harsh speaking (Isa. 58:9). If you are prone to any kind of ungodly speech it will be a hindrance to your fasting. Like the Psalmist says, we need to take control of what comes out of our mouth and ask the Lord to put a seal upon our lips if they are given to wicked words (Ps. 141:3). An unbridled tongue can create a fire of iniquity that is hard to control and put out (Pr. 16:27). The Lord hates cussing, cursing, dirty jokes, slander, gossip, lying, verbal abuse, dishonesty, strife, and all forms of malicious and perverse speaking (Pr. 6:16; 19:1; Isa. 58:4; Mt. 12:36; Eph. 5:4; Tit. 3:2). The Christian is to keep his tongue bridled and disciplined at all times (Jam. 2:26). Self-discipline is an important Christian virtue and fruit of the Spirit that must be exercised daily to keep the tongue in check (Pr. 29:11; Gal. 5:22,23; 2 Pet. 5:8). We are to walk in the Spirit and nail all harmful emotions, sinful passions, contention, and vindictive and malicious attitudes and words to the cross (Gal. 5:22-26). The lips of the righteous are to nourish, discipline, encourage, help, guide, inspire, teach, and bless others with uplifting words of love, truth, and kindness (Pr. 10:21; Eph. 4:25,29; Tit. 2:15).
BE DEDICATED TO CHRIST
The Lord wants us to seek Him and fully commit our lives to Him. Fasting is a time to purify our hearts and lives and overcome all hindrances (Joel 2:12). It is a time to restore and strengthen our relationship with our Lord and Savior and allow Him to sit upon the throne of our hearts. Are we obedient to His Word in every area of our lives (Lk. 6:46)? Do we keep His commandments (1 Jn. 2:3,4; 5:3)? Are we doing things we know is wrong and not in accord with the will of God (Mt. 7:21; Jam. 4:17)? Do we apply the Word of God to our everyday situations in life (Jam. 1:22)? Does our way of life honor and please the Lord (Isa. 58:13,14; 1 Cor. 6:19,20; 1 Jn. 3:22)? Do we love the Lord with all of our hearts or are there idols and worldly things anchored there (Mt. 6:21; 22:37,38; 1 Jn. 2:15-17)? Do we place our complete trust in God or in our own resources, achievements, or wealth (Ps. 20:7; 49:6,7; Pr. 3:5,6; 30:5; Mt. 6:24)? Do we walk in love and treat others the way God has instructed us to do in His Word (Mt. 22:39; Rom. 12:9,10; 1 Jn. 4:20; 1 Cor. 13:4-8)? Are we faithful to God by being firm and constant in adhering to His laws and principles and in fulfilling our duties and obligations to Him (Deut. 28:9; Ps. 40:8; Ecc. 12:13,14; Mt. 25:19-30; Jn. 14:15,23; 1 Cor. 15:58)? We need to examine ourselves in light of God’s Word to see if we are as committed and faithful to Him as he wants us to be. Fasting can strengthen our commitment to God and unleash restoration and the blessings of God that have been held back because of our sins (Isa. 58:11-14; Joel 2:12-29).
