Devotionals

3 Benefits of Fasting for Our Spiritual Health

By ayu single · November 1, 2021 · 6 min read

Lately fasting has become part of the lifestyle of modern society. Ever heard of intermittent fasting? Or perhaps carb fasting? The fasting trend has been widely recommended by health experts and discussed by various lifestyle media around the world.

What about fasting as a Christian? It may be that not many Christians today fast regularly as an act of worship. Fasting seems unnecessary. Is that really true? Then, what is the difference between spiritual fasting and fasting for health? Let's find out together.

Fasting in the Bible

For the people of Israel, fasting itself was one of the religiousobligations. We can read about it, among others, in Leviticus 16:29-31, Leviticus 23:27-29, and also Numbers 29:7. Fasting was practiced as part of Yom Kippur, when the people of Israel repented of sins .

The people of Israel also fasted when they truly wanted to ask something of the Lord. For example, in the book of Esther, to stop Haman's evil plan, Esther asked all the Jews in Persia to fast (Esther 4:15-16).

What about Jesus? In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus said, “And when you fast,…”. Jesus did not say “if you fast” or “suppose you fast.” He used the word “when” or “as,” showing that fasting is something God's people would certainly do. Jesus also began His ministry on earth by fasting for 40 days (Matthew 4: 1-11). It is clear, isn't it, that fasting is one form of worship that is very important in the Word of God.

So then, what about Christians today? Do we need to fast as part of our worship? What exactly are the benefits and effects of fasting on our spiritual health?

Understanding True Fasting

Generally, fasting means abstaining from food or drink for a certain period of time. However, we can also fast by abstaining from something we enjoy, such as watching TV, playing games, the internet, social media, and so on.

But why do we do all that? When Jesus explained how to fast to His disciples in Matthew 6:17-18, this is what He said:

“...“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it may not be seen by people that you are fasting, but only by your Father who is in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus reminds us that true fasting is fasting that is pleasing in God's sight. Being able to endure hunger and thirst may be useful physical and mental training. But if we do not focus our fasting on God, then it is not worship that pleases Him. This is what distinguishes spiritual fasting from other kinds of fasting.

Fasting that is pleasing in the Father's sight will improve the quality of our relationship with Him. Our purpose in fasting is only one: to focus on God.

What Benefits Do We Gain from Fasting?

Besides a deepening relationship with God, there are several benefits of fasting that will greatly help our spiritual health. Let's look at some of them.

1. Fasting Helps Our Repentance

Don't misunderstand, fasting will not make our sins forgiven. Only the blood of Christ can do that. But fasting will help our repentance by bringing us more focused on seeking and listening to the Word of God.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” – Joel 2:12

God wants us to return to Him (repent) with all our heart. Have you ever felt like leaving sin behind, but delayed it with the thought, ‘I will do it tomorrow’? That is half-hearted repentance. Fasting will help us repent with all our heart.

When we fast, we remove worldly things that distract us from before our eyes. As a result, we can see our sins more clearly. We will also be more focused in listening to the word of God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, all of this will help give us guidance on where and how we can begin to repent and change.

2. Fasting Helps Us Become More Humble

“Then there, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions.” – Ezra 8:21

Have you ever been about to start a long journey and felt strongly moved to pray? We pray because we know many things can happen beyond our control. This is a moment that makes us realize how powerless we are before the greatness of God.

Ezra did not only ask the people of Israel to pray, but also to fast. When we fast, our bodies become weak. But we cannot rely on food or the worldly things we enjoy. We can only rely on God's strength. Fasting will make us increasingly aware of how small we are before God.

3. Fasting Helps Us Know God's Will

“And Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” – Exodus 34:28

What is our daily life usually like? Of course it is filled with various activities and busyness. But what happens when we fast? We slow down, reduce activity, devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible.

Times of fasting are very fitting times to study and meditate on His word. In our weakness, we will depend more and more on God. The Holy Spirit will help us to have a more open heart and be responsive to the word of God. We will be able to see God's will in our lives more clearly because His word is “living, powerful, and sharp.” His word is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

Fasting is indeed not something easy to do. Perhaps because we think more about the things we “cannot” have or do while fasting. But actually, fasting gives us more than what we sacrifice.

A healthier and higher-quality relationship with God. Better able to see our sins, grow in humility, and also see His will in our lives more clearly. All of these are only some of the many benefits of fasting. Let's try practicing a fast that is pleasing to God! -