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Spiritual Life & Disciplines

Spiritual Life & Disciplines. Part 16 – What about fasting?. What is fasting?. Fasting is the “Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes” – Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life , 152. Different Kinds of Fasts.

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Spiritual Life & Disciplines

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  1. Spiritual Life & Disciplines Part 16 – What about fasting?

  2. What is fasting? Fasting is the “Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes” – Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 152.

  3. Different Kinds of Fasts Normal fast – abstaining from all food, but not water (Matt. 4:2, Luke 4:2) Partial fast – limitation of diet (Dan. 1:12, Matt. 3:4) Absolute fast – avoidance of all food and drink (Ezra 10:6, Est. 4:16, Acts 9:9) Supernatural fast – non-repeatable fasts since they require supernatural assistance (Deut. 9:9, 1 Kings 19:8)

  4. Different Kinds of Fasts Private fast – an individual fast not to be noticed by others (Matt. 6:16-18) Congregational fast – the entire congregation fasts (Joel 2:16-16) National fast – the entire nation fasts (2 Chron. 20:3, Jonah 3:5-8)

  5. Different Kinds of Fasts Regular fast – mandatory fast on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31) Occasional fast – fasts that occur on special occasions or as need arises (2 Chron. 20:3, Est. 4:16)

  6. Fast Facts There are many examples of fasting in Scripture. Fasting always involves some spiritual purpose. The Bible never speaks of dietary reasons for fasting. The only fast that is commanded in Scripture is the fast for the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31)

  7. Fast Facts Jesus fasted, as did the early church. Many godly people from church history also fasted, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, and George Whitefield. But there is no specific command in Scripture for the church to engage in fasting.

  8. So what should we conclude? “…fasting is shown [in Scripture] to be an entirely noncompulsory, voluntary act, not a spiritual duty to be regularly observed…. [However], Jesus’ statement [in Matthew 6:16] when you fast indicates that fasting is normal and acceptable in the Christian life. He assumes His followers will fast on certain occasions, but He does not give a command or specify a particular time, place, or method…. Fasting is never shown in Scripture to be the means to heightened spiritual experience, visions, or special insight or awareness – as many mystics, including some Christian mystics, claim. Fasting is appropriate in this age, because Christ is physically absent from the earth.” – John MacArthur, Matthew 1-7, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 401-2.

  9. When is fasting appropriate? In times of sorrow (2 Sam. 3:35, 12:16) In times of danger (2 Chron. 20:3, Est. 4:16, Ezra 8:21) In times of repentance (1 Kings 21:27, Ezra 10:6, Jonah 3:5-7) At the beginning of an important ministry (Acts 13:2-3, 14:23)

  10. Fasting and Prayer Fasting is always linked with prayer in Scripture “You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast biblically without praying” – John MacArthur

  11. Conclusions While fasting is not presented as a spiritual discipline in Scripture, it non-the-less is a part of the Christian life The lack of prescriptive teaching makes much about fasting a “Christian freedom” issue If we engage in fasting, we need to make certain our heart and purpose are in line with Scripture (Matt. 6:16-18)

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