Fasting Paper

Below is a paper that I wrote when I was a freshman in Bible College.

Fasting

FASTING


Introduction

Fasting, what is it? Who does it? Is it just some crazy crash diet for people who have tried everything else? Is it merely a method of protest for people who are sick in the head or perhaps people who are considered “super spiritual” or even ascetic? Is fasting similar to self-mutilation, or does it have benefits in the spiritual life of the believer? Were people like Paul the Apostle simple lunatics, or is there a genuine reason for going without food for a period of time? These questions reflect the many different ideas that fasting triggers in people’s minds. Donald Whitney expands on these ideas by saying:

One reason fasting is feared is that many believe it turns us into something we don’t want to become and causes things to happen that we don’t want to happen. We fear that fasting will make us hollow-eyed fanatics or odd for God. We’re afraid that it will make us suffer dreadfully and give us a generally negative experience. For some Christians, fasting for spiritual purposes is as unthinkable as shaving their head or walking barefoot across a fire pit.[1]

The teachings of so-called modern medical science have scared people out of a discipline that is one of the strongest sources of spiritual power that God has given. The fear of weakness, massive weight loss, and even death has caused the neglect of a practice that is clearly expected in scripture.
Fasting can be defined as total abstinence from all food for a definite period of time.[2] People can fast from other things, such as television, speaking and sleep, but for
this paper, the issue will be what is taught in the Bible, which is fasting from food. This study will look into the Biblical references on fasting, as well as medical information pertaining to the subject. The reader will find that not only is fasting not harmful, it is actually beneficial and part of God’s design for the human body.

A Medical Perspective

Before dealing with the spiritual benefits of fasting in the believer’s life, some rather large walls need to be demolished. It comes as no surprise that the idea of fasting is looked upon as harmful and out of the question for most believers. In 1 Corinthians 11:14, Paul states that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” Satan knows of the victory that believers can have over him through the power and boldness that come from denying the flesh, through fasting. The thought of fasting in the minds of most people is quite unpleasant, which makes it easy for Satan to discourage its practice. Unfortunately for him, the more attention that doctors give to fasting, the more they are realizing that the myths that surround this truth are not only wrong, but are on the far opposite side of the spectrum of truth.
Herbert M. Shelton is one of the leading authorities on the issue of fasting. In more than forty-five years, Dr. Shelton has led his patients in over 30,000 fasts. Some say that when a person fasts for an extended period of time, the body begins to break down and destroy itself. In answer to this myth, Dr. Shelton states the facts drawn from his extensive research. ”in periods of abstinence, the organs… do not undergo degeneration until the starvation phase of the period of abstinence is reached … the fat is removed from the muscles, but the muscle retains its integrity and a surprising amount of strength.”[3] Also on the issue, Dr. Shelton states, “The fasting body does lose weight, but this loss, for an extended period, is one of reserves and not of organized tissues.”[4] Of course, there is a point of abstaining from food when it becomes harmful. The first quote above mentions the starvation phase. During the time that a person is not eating, there are two phases: fasting and starvation. The body is extremely efficient in using stored reserves first, as Dr. Shelton has found. The period of starvation occurs when the body’s reserves are used up, or reach a dangerously low level. Just as in most areas of the spiritual life, it is easy to go to extremes, but common sense says that there is a time to stop.

Many areas of physical health are benefited by fasting. The first, and most obvious, of these areas is weight loss. Weight loss during fasting has been documented at rates up to 2 ½ pounds per day. There are advantages to losing weight in this manner such as the rapid loss that can be registered (which is not as dangerous to the “equilibrium” as some would speculate), and the ease of a fast compared to dieting. In dieting, the subject continues eating in lower volume or by eating fewer foods that are “unhealthy”, but this is made hard by the constant hunger that occurs from a lessened diet. The author of this paper knows from first-hand experience that in an extended fast, the hunger is virtually gone after three to seven days.
Another medical benefit to fasting is the idea of elimination. Most wouldn’t see fasting as a time of rest, but it is true that the digestive organs get a well-deserved break from the constant flow of food. During this time, the body is able to deal with the reserves, which are loaded with toxins and impurities. In some cases, this is so extreme that the faster’s urine is close to black in color. The pastiness of the tongue and teeth comes from the unloading of their toxic burden. Some subjects who’s fat composition is significantly less than others will lose weight at the same rate as an overweight person, just because of the amount of toxins being purged from their bodies.

Many medical benefits are gained through fasting. Only a few are mentioned in this section. Shelton writes about the role fasting can play in curing things such as eczema, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, ulcers and gallstones.[5] After studying the processes of the human body in the duration of a fast, it is hard to argue with the fact that it was meant to be. God created the human body with fasting as an essential practice, and this is seen in the vital functions that are carried out during the fast. One can’t talk about fasting in the Christian’s life without also looking at the spiritual side of the issue. The next few sections will show even more how God designed fasting to benefit human beings through and by examination of fastings effects on the spiritual life.

Types of Fasting

Before diving into the spiritual significance of fasting, the word “fasting” needs to be more clearly defined. It has been established that fasting is to abstain from food for a definite period of time, but how long of a period? Do all fasts involving food require total abstention, or does the Bible teach other methods as well?
The most commonly practiced fast is simply referred to as a “normal fast.” This type of fasting involves abstaining from everything but water. This type of fast can be found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. Verse 2 of both of these chapters says that Jesus was hungry after fasting for forty days. There is no indication in the text that Jesus was thirsty, which makes sense since the body would die after three to four days without water.
Another commonly practiced fast resembles that of Daniel in Daniel 1:12, and is called the “partial fast.” This type of fast was also practiced by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11). In a partial fast, the diet is severely limited, but not from all food. People commonly practice this by eating nothing but fruit and vegetables for a period of time. Note that this type of fast does have some spiritual benefits, but the medical advantages discussed in the previous section apply only to a complete abstention from food.
Less common is the “absolute fast.” This fast consists of no intake at all. No food, no drink. This can only last three days or less, given that the body would die in three days without water. Examples of this type of fast can be found in Ezra 10:6, Esther 4:16 and Acts 9:9.
Twice in the history of mankind, there have been recorded what are called “supernatural fasts.” This fast consists of no food or drink for an extended period of time, and is only possible through divine intervention and miraculous provision (Deut 9:9, 1 Kings 19:8).
Deciding the duration of a fast should definitely be led by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. There is not one specified duration in scripture, they range from less than a day or a day (Job 20:26, 1 Sam 7:6, 2 Sam 1:12, Neh 9:1, Jer 36:6) to forty days long (Deut 9:9, 1 Kings 19:8, Matt 4:2).
Some fasts are considered congregational or national. Congregational fasts are when the whole or part of the church congregation is called to fast. A congregational fast was called in Joel 2:15-16. A national fast is when the entire nation is called to fast. This type of fasting is common during times of national crisis, war, or repentance. National fasts are also mentioned in scripture (2 Chron 20:3, Neh 9:1, Esther 4:16, Jonah 3:5-8). There was also a point in history when America still loved God, and three presidents – John Adams, James Madison and Abraham Lincoln – called the nation to a season of fasting.
A person can go about a fast many ways. Since the Bible doesn’t give one specific way to do it, but instead gives a plethora of examples to follow, the Holy Spirit is able to work in each individual’s heart and lead them. The one characteristic that every biblical fast had in common was a purpose. Whitney says, “Without a purpose, fasting can be a miserable, self-centered experience.”[6] In the next section, many reasons for conducting a fast will be covered.

Reasons for Fasting

Many examples of Godly people who fasted can be seen throughout the scripture. It is implied in scripture that Christians are expected to fast, by speaking of fasting as something that is being done, or will be done (“when you fast” – Matt 6:16-18, “they will fast” – Matt 9:14-15, examples – Acts 9:9, 13:2, 14:23). From the examples seen in scripture, there are many possible reasons for a person to fast. Let it be stated
before going any further that fasting does not earn God’s favor, Christ does. There is no
spiritual benefit to be found in fasting outside of repentance and faith in Christ (Eph 2:1-
10, Titus 3:5-7). The believer is the one that is changed by fasting, not God.
Reason number one is that fasting can strengthen prayer. Every other biblical purpose that will be given relates directly to this one. The sharpness and passion of our intercessions are heightened during fasting, almost adding a sense of urgency to the requests being made (Ezra 8:23). Fasting does not change God’s will, but it can cause believers to be more sensitive to God’s will.
Another purpose for fasting would be to seek God’s guidance. Just as in prayer, fasting makes one more receptive to God’s will when seeking guidance. In Judges 20:26, the Israelites were defeated in battle up to the point when they sought God through fasting and sacrifice. It was only after this that they were given victory. In Acts 14, the church leaders spent time in fasting and prayer before making a decision as important as choosing elders for the church.
Fasting can also be an expression of grief. There are two types of grief that are expressed in the Bible through fasting: grief over death, and grief over sin. In Judges 20:26, the Israelites fasted to express their grief for the 40,000 Israelites that were killed in battle. In mourning over the death of Saul, the men of Israel “fasted seven days” (1 Samuel 31:13), and David “mourned and wept and fasted until evening” (II Samuel 1:11-12). Later, when David sinned with Bathsheba, God struck the resulting child with illness, “and David fasted… nor did he eat food with them.” (11 Sam 12:16, 17). David expressed his mourning in this way until the child died. This is an interesting transition to the second type of grief expressed in the Bible through fasting - grief over personal sin - because the child was a direct result of David’s personal sin. Biblical confession involves at least some kind of grief. God does not take heed to lip service and empty words. Though fasting makes a person no more worthy of forgiveness, it is a way of expressing grief and confession when sufficient words can’t be found.
Although there are many reasons for fasting in the Bible, this paper will focus on the four, which are felt by the author to be the most important. Entire books are written on this subject, and can be found in the sources used on this study. The fourth and final purpose is to express one’s love and worship to God. There is a woman mentioned in Luke 2:36-38, Anna, who “served God with fasting and prayer, night and day” (Luke 2:37). This woman is one who had dedicated her life to worshiping the Lord (Luke calls her a prophetess) and serving in the temple.
This purpose for fasting is probably the favorite of this writer, because it is a way of saying “there is no greater joy or pleasure to be found in life, than the joy and pleasure found in God.”
In today’s culture, especially American culture, there is an extreme amount of gluttony. People are enticed with advertising schemes that tell them they can “have it their way.” In a culture that is permeated with “super-size it” and 64 oz. soft drinks, fasting is as alien as typing is to an African native. This problem was also present in the New Testament times. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians warns of those who are “the enemies of the Cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.” (Phil 3:18b-19). When people set their minds on earthly things, they are enemies of the Cross of Christ. One way of doing this is to treat the stomach as a god. What better way to say, “My stomach is not my god, the God of the universe is the God of my life” than to spend regular mealtimes in praise and adoration to God. Saying “I love God more than food” can be done in a way as simple as not eating until daily quiet time has been spent with the Lord. The desire to eat, in a fast of worshipful expression, can serve as a reminder to get down and pray. Donald Whitney said it best when he wrote “But may we yearn for days when God will cause us to crave the spiritual banquet of worship more than any smorgasbord.”[7]

Conclusion

Is fasting harmful? Is it an unwise thing to do? To quote the famous saying of Paul the apostle, “May it never be!” Fasting, as already established, is one of the more beneficial things that can be done for a person’s health. In the toxic, polluted environment of today, the human body is loaded with more impurities than ever before, and these need to be purged. Fasting is also one of the strongest venues of powerful prayer, sensitivity to the Lord’s guidance, expression of grief, expression of love and worship, and many more aspects of the spiritual life. In Matthew 9:14-15, Jesus is asked why the disciples don’t fast. In His answer, He said, “But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” That time is now. The Bridegroom isn’t physically present at this time, and we are expected to practice fasting until he returns. There is no doubt that fasting is part of God’s design both in the spiritual life of the believer, and in the physical sense of the human body, and to those who practice it “your Father … will reward you openly” (Matt 6:18).
[1] Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines in the Christian Life (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1991), 159.

[2] Shelton, 15.

[3] Herbert M. Shelton, Fasting Can Save Your Life, (Chicago: National Hygiene Press, 1964), 31.

[4]Shelton, 31.

[5] Shelton, 45-51.
[6]Whitney, 165.
[7] Whitney, 176.

Judges 17-18

I was just reading this passage during my quiet time. Micah takes his mother's silver and makes him an idol and all sorts of other items that he thinks are going to help him worship God. He even thinks that God will be more pleased with him because he has a Levite in his house to serve as a priest in his little shrine. In chapter 18 a bunch of Danites come in and steal Micah's idols and talk his priest into going with them and when Micah catches up with them he says "You took the gods I had made and the priest and went away, what do I have left?"

Micah was confused about how he should worship God. He thought that he needed to have idols and all of these other things in order for God to be pleased with him. Our God does not dwell in temples and shrines made by human hands, but in the hearts of those who believe in him. I was thinking about this and as I've been reading through Judges I noticed that God usually identifies Himself with something like this "I am the God of your fathers, the one who led them out of Egypt and was with them in the desert for eighty years." God wants us to love him and worship him for who He is and for what He's done, not because of what he looks like or what he's going to do if we only act a certain way.

Are there any things in your life that you are using to serve God but are actually pushing you farther away from him? I could think of a few in my life and it is easy especially for someone who's involved in ministry to let this happen. If so, it's time to repent and give those things to God before someone comes along and takes them away.