Today, let's talk about fasting. Fasting is one of the most important practices in the Christian faith that we should not ignore. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights, and many Christians have also undertaken long fasts.
Fasting is when you deny the body certain pleasures to seek the face of God. These pleasures could include food, social media, TV, football, relationships, and more. From time to time, we must fast to maintain a vibrant Christian life. If you are a Christian who does not fast, learn to fast as you are led by the Spirit, for it is a vital part of building a personal relationship with God and drawing closer to His presence.
And if you are never led by the Holy Spirit to fast, take time to fast anyway. Fasting benefits both your spiritual and physical life.
Beyond Setting Days for Fasting.
There is an aspect of fasting that many of us may not know — it is even more important than simply setting aside days to fast. Many of us feel spiritually vibrant during fasting. We become so alert that it seems we should never stop. But if you set a day for fasting, you must stop when that day ends. True growth, however, comes from time spent in the secret place, where intimacy with God continues beyond the fast and nurtures lasting spiritual strength.
So, what do you do on the remaining days when you are not fasting? Do you live carelessly and allow the flesh to dominate your spirit? That is not the goal.
Living a Fasted Life
There is a style of fasting I was taught as a teenager that has helped me tremendously, and I want to share it with you. This approach keeps you spiritually alert at all times, and most of the time, it doesn’t feel like you are fasting. Later, I discovered that Jesus practiced this kind of lifestyle even after His 40-day fast. I call it “living a fasted life,” a practice that helps remove hindrances to effective personal relationship with God and keeps your spirit sensitive to His guidance daily.
What does it mean?
It means living in a way where you deny yourself daily those things that hinder your spiritual alertness.
Practical Examples of a Fasted Life
Food: If you love food and eating makes it difficult to pray effectively, adjust your meals. For example, avoid eating heavy dinners that leave you sluggish during night prayers.
Entertainment: If TV, movies, football, or games eat into your prayer and study time, limit them before your spiritual activities.
When I learned this as a teenager, I stopped eating much in the evening so I could pray at night. If I had to eat, I ate very small portions. Over time, I unconsciously adjusted.
Now, I rarely eat after 6 PM. Most evenings, I finish my last meal between 4 and 5 PM.
Jesus Loved a Fasted Life
Jesus valued His spiritual activity over food. In John, when His disciples brought food, He was not interested in eating. His focus was on spiritual priorities. If food or any other pleasure would interrupt His spiritual activity, He set it aside. This demonstrates the benefits of a personal relationship with God, as it keeps our priorities aligned, our hearts focused, and our lives empowered to pursue what truly matters.
This is a fasted life. This is how a true Christian should live daily. We should not allow worldly things to determine our spiritual effectiveness — we should control them, not be controlled by them.
Reflection
Do you live a fasted life? If not, is this something you can start practicing? If yes, when will you begin? A fasted life is not just about occasional fasting — it is about cultivating daily spiritual alertness and discipline that keeps you vibrant in your walk with God.
Here are some related posts that will bless your soul
- Wrap Yourself in the Word: The Power of a Life Regulated by God’s Word
- When Distractions Replace Devotion: A Simple Lesson From MyDog Gold
- Do You Have Spiritual Anorexia? Signs You Lack Appetite for God’s Word.
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