Becoming Like Jesus: Fasting and AbstinenceSample

When You Fast…

This week, we are going to get really practical when it comes to practicing the spiritual disciplines of fasting and abstinence. When do we fast, why do we fast, and how do we fast? We will dive into those questions and more by looking at how people all throughout the Biblical narrative have engaged in this practice. To start off, let’s look at the way Jesus taught about fasting in one of His most famous messages—the Sermon on the Mount.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, thank you that I get to spend time with you today. Jesus, thank you for inviting me to become more like you and for teaching me how to live and love like you do. Holy Spirit, please guide me today and show me the motives of my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

Consider…

What is Jesus saying about fasting? He starts off with the words, “When you fast…” So, He isn’t offering this practice simply as a suggestion. Like, “If you want to at some point, you could try fasting.” Fasting, as we are going to see, has been part of the normal rhythm that God’s people have followed for centuries. Was that just good for them, then? Or is it also good for us, now?

As disciples of Jesus, we get to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. Fasting and abstinence are ways we create space to be with Him, train ourselves to become more like Him, and follow His example of denying ourselves.

And when we engage in these spiritual disciplines, we need to remember spiritual disciplines are not a performance we put on for the people around us. Spiritual disciplines are spiritual warfare. They are the habits and practices that help us become like Jesus and do what He did. And what did Jesus do? He went toe-to-toe with the world, the flesh, and the devil and came out victorious.

So if we really want to experience the spiritual power that can come from spiritual disciplines, we can’t make it about us and the attention we might get. If that’s our goal, we’ve missed the point.

Jesus is telling us the point of fasting is not to gain the approval of people. The point is to acknowledge with our whole selves, including our bodies, that He is enough for us. And the beautiful thing is, God’s attention is already on us. He sees us, hears us, and knows us. We can rest in that. There’s nothing you have to earn by fasting, but there is a lot that you can gain.

Practice…

In what ways are you tempted to do things, even good things, for the admiration of others? In what ways are you tempted to try and earn the approval of God? What’s a verse you can hold onto to help you combat those temptations?

Find one and write it in your journal today.

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you can continue to be alone with God. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Next, ask God to speak to you. When you get distracted, consider it an opportunity to come back to Jesus by praying this short prayer that He taught us:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

When the timer ends, thank God again for the time you got to spend with Him, then head into your day looking for opportunities to better serve Him and love others.