“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:16).
TEXT — Matthew 6:16-18
Message
Fasting accomplishes two things in the life of the believer. First, it brings spiritual upliftment. Second, it has a number of known, physical health benefits. It supports hormone and genes, which in turn influences metabolism, weight loss, blood sugar management, heart health, and disease prevention, among others. However, the spiritual benefits and importance far exceed other benefits, provided it is rightly observed.
Jesus Christ taught the acceptable pattern and practice of fasting. He warned that the exercise must be a wholly spiritual undertaking aimed at honouring God and not man. There must not be hypocritically mournful appearance to attract superficial respect from neighbours. While fasting, we must not direct our piety and sobriety in abstinence to the world but to the Lord. Jesus said that to avoid these snares, “anoint thine head, and wash thy face.”
Although the Bible recommends fasting for believers to deal with grave challenges of life and for nations to seek heaven’s intervention during crises, sin is not resolved by fasting. Fasting without a true spiritual experience amounts to mere abstinence from food and water without any form of spiritual power or benefit.
So, when we fast, as followers of Christ, we are assured of prompt answers to our requests. Heaven is waiting for us to deploy the power to pray and fast for the redemption of sinners and backsliders. The Lord expects us to cultivate the virtue of self-denial and total dependence on Him, as we fast and pray for our needs and those of others, especially those held down in bondage, sickness, disease and other activities of the devil.
Thought for the day
Access to God’s unlimited power comes through fasting.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
