What The Bible Tells Us About Fasting

Fasting is not a glorious subject, it is not easy for us to do. Our flesh will fight against it, but we need to remember that it is a must to produce power in our lives. The devil is doing everything he can to stop us from reaching our greatest potential in God and he is doing this by preventing us from praying in the Holy Spirit and spending time reading and studying the Bible.

"For the word of God is living and powerful…"

HEBREWS 4:12 KJV

The devil will try to prevent us from being fine-tuned and led by the Holy Spirit and he is desperately striving to put a wedge between us and God because he knows, that God is going to produce in us great power, anointing and glory so that we can share the gospel and bring people into His Kingdom.

Fasting Gives us Power

Fasting provides us with the authority to oppose Satan. It gives us the power to increase the anointing between us and God, equipping us to develop in God and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4:1 says that Jesus was 'filled'

with the Holy Spirit and led by Him into the wilderness', where He was tempted by the devil and there he ate nothing. He fasted.

Just as Jesus fasted, we need to fast. Not for weight-loss or to compete with our peers but to allow God through His Spirit to empower us and give us the soundness to get through life and bear all trials and temptations the devil hurls at us.

You need to do this humbly, laying down pride, praying, and using the time to study the Bible. You should aspire to do this without letting people know that you are fasting or how difficult you are finding it but, preferably seeking God first in every temptation and victory.

It's Up to Us to Fast

When we decide to fast, we choose to take up our cross and follow Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us to God.

"Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about."

LUKE 4:14 AMP

Although Christ was completely divine, He was likewise completely human, so he suffered as we do. Yet He needed and relied on the Holy Spirit and in the same way, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Being Led By God (the Spirit) to fast

Fasting is like spending time in the wilderness alone with God. We do this to become like Christ by praying. This enables us to confront the world and its tribulations with an act of new-found courage, tenacity and infinite power to accomplish all that God has called us to.

The devil came to tempt Jesus and Jesus used the ammunition of prayer and fasting to fight back. Jesus knew that the devil did not want Him to fulfill His purpose on earth in the years ahead.

Jesus' thirty years of ministry began after He was filled with the Holy Spirit and fasted in the wilderness.

We all go through trying times and fasting is often one of them. Nevertheless, we come out stronger, more courageous, and powerful than we were before.

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld57L-3QyXQ&t=5s[/embed]

How do we fast for God? What does it look like for you?

In the Bible, there are only three people that fasted for forty days. They were Moses, Elijah, and Jesus- they did this because they were guided by the Holy Spirit to do so. When we fast, it is paramount that we seek God first. We do this by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what we need to give up.

Commonly, people fast food because, aside from sleep, eating is our next greatest desire. If you are able to put your flesh down and lessen your desire for food you will have the ability to put your flesh down and diminish your desire for anything.

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

ISAIAH 58:6 KJV

You can, choose what you fast. For some, this may be simply identifying things in our lives that don't have a positive outcome or that have strongholds over you. For others, being diligent and hearkening to

the voice of the Holy Spirit for guidance. For it says to ask God and He will answer. Obey Him by spending time praying and fasting and you will rejoice in Him for He has done and will continue to do great things in your life.

Why We Choose to Fast for God

We fast to destroy the bonds of wickedness and heavy burdens in our lives and the lives of those around us, it will set us free by the power of Christ who gives us the strength to do so.

As you begin to fast and pray you will see the light break through the darkness that was surrounding you, and people will begin to see a change in you.

'your healing shall spring forth speedily'

ISAIAH 58:8

THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE PEOPLE HEALED, SET FREE AND DELIVERED.

It says that your 'righteousness will go before you', and people will see that you are free. They will be drawn toward you and 'the glory of the Lord will guard you'. People will want to know what has changed in you and will want to spend more time with you because of it.

The light from Christ within you will encourage those around you to imitate what they see in you.

What Do We Fast?

Fasting is essentially based around food, but you can fast those things that give you pleasure, for example, something you get excited to eat or do. Things in your life that are prohibiting you, for instance, your phone, social media, smoking, drinking, television. It could be something that you feel you are becoming slightly addicted to. Secular music, movies, or boxsets that you find yourself automatically watching without thought, and before you know it you have spent many hours watching.

Pray about it and let the Spirit lead you with what you need to fast, and how long you should fast for.

How Long Should We Fast?

If you are unsure start off by doing a short fast for one or two days or even a few hours. You should aim to spend the time that you are fasting- (abstaining from your chosen indulgence) in prayer and meditation.

For example - If you are doing a day fast, spend much of that time praying and meditating. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your day and when tempted or hungry refocus your mind on God. Read the word and ask God for the strength you will need. Make sure you keep hydrated with water if you are fasting food, especially for longer durations.

Recap of What We Need to Know About Fasting

Prayer and fasting will allow you to walk closer to God, you will feel much stronger.

It increases the power of God, the power against evil, and the difficulties we face in our lives.

You will walk in the spiritual realm and be more conscious of the Holy Spirit because you will have your focus on God.

Meditate on the word.

"It is better to know a single scripture in-depth than to read a chapter and know nothing."

PASTOR MARTIN PHELPS

We serve a good God, and he wants to see us succeed and have a personal relationship with Him and reach our maximum potential.

In the beginning, it will be difficult, but it gets easier and you WILL breakthrough.

Surround yourself with like-minded people who will encourage you.

Jesus is saying to us as His disciples, 'I have given you the power but you are relying on others, on your elders, on your pastors, ministers, and teachers! You can do anything, simply have faith in Me.'

'So, Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.'

MATTHEW 17:20-21 NKJV

Learn More About Fasting with Martin Phelps Ministries

Fasting will take you to another level, rely on the Holy Spirit to lead you.

God wants us to pray for people and do the work of an evangelist. How long should Jesus keep on teaching us; for us to learn and put what we know into practice?

If you want to live for God, you need to have faith now. Be willing to walk in the present, and be active in your faith.

Have faith as a mustard seed and NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU!

If you want to know more about Fasting or anything else in the Bible, check out our youtube page where we cover timely topics available to listen to at any time.

God Bless!