Practical Ways to Practice Fasting and Self-Denial Daily
Biblical Foundations of Fasting and Self-Denial
Fasting and self-denial are spiritual disciplines rooted in biblical teachings. The practice involves abstaining from food or other desires to focus on God and seek His guidance [1]. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement, a day of self-affliction and rest from work (Leviticus 16:29; 23:32) [5].
Examples of Fasting in Scripture
The Bible provides several examples of fasting. Esther, for instance, called upon the Jews to fast for three days before she approached the king to save their lives (Esther 4:16) [2]. This act of fasting was accompanied by prayer and a willingness to risk her own life. In the New Testament, John the Baptist's disciples fasted regularly as a spiritual discipline to cultivate intimacy with God (Luke 5:33) [7].
Purpose and Manner of Fasting
The purpose of fasting is not to earn righteousness but to create an awareness of injustice and prompt action to help those in need (Isaiah 58:6-7) [3]. True fasting involves self-deprivation to focus on God and please Him (Isaiah 58:3) [4]. It is often linked with prayer and spiritual retreat. The biblical text warns against fasting for selfish purposes or to impress others (Isaiah 58:5) [9].
Practical Ways to Practice Fasting and Self-Denial Daily
To incorporate fasting and self-denial into daily life, one can start by setting aside time for prayer and reflection. This can involve abstaining from certain foods or activities to focus on spiritual growth. The Sabbath, like fasting, is intended to be an expression of self-denial and worship, involving trust in God's provision and obedience to His will (Isaiah 58:13) [8]. Practicing self-denial can also involve controlling one's appetite and abstaining from fleshly lusts (Proverbs 23:2; 1 Peter 2:11) [1].
Tradition and Interpretation
Different Christian traditions interpret fasting and self-denial in various ways. Some view it as a means of spiritual preparation and repentance, while others see it as a way to cultivate intimacy with God. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the importance of accompanying fasting with prayer, suggesting that fasting alone is not sufficient [6]. The Lutheran tradition, as seen in Keil & Delitzsch's commentary, highlights the need for genuine self-affliction and rest from work on days of fasting [5].
Conclusion
Fasting and self-denial are spiritual disciplines that require a genuine desire to focus on God and seek His guidance. By understanding the biblical foundations and purposes of fasting, Christians can incorporate these practices into their daily lives in a meaningful way. As seen in the examples of Esther and John the Baptist's disciples, fasting can be a powerful means of spiritual growth and preparation for service [2, 7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Esther ““Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” -- Esther 4:16”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:6: 58:6-7 True fasting creates an awareness of injustice and oppression and prompts the practitioner to reach out to help the needy in their struggles (see 42:7; Matt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:3: 58:3 Fasting should be a time of self-deprivation in order to focus on God and pleasing him (Lev 16:29; see Zech 7:5). However, these people were only interested in pleasing themselves and continuing in their sins.”
- Leviticus (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Leviticus 16:29: General directions for the yearly celebration of the day of atonement. - It was to be kept on the tenth day of the seventh month, as an "everlasting statute" (see at Exo 12:14). On that day the Israelites were to "afflict their souls," i.e., to fast, according to Lev 23:32, from the evening of the 9th till the evening of the 10th day. Every kind of work was to be suspended as on the Sabbath (Exo 20:10), by both natives and foreigners (see Exo 12:49), because this day was a high Sabbath (Exo 31:15). Both fasting and sabbatical rest are enjoined again in Lev ”
- Esther (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Esther 4:16: Fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days - What a strange thing, that still we hear nothing of prayer, nor of God! What is the ground on which we can account for this total silence? I know it not. She could not suppose there was any charm in fasting, sackcloth garments, and lying on the ground. If these were not done to turn away the displeasure of God, which seemed now to have unchained their enemies against them, what were they done for? If I perish, I perish - If I lose my life in this attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:33: 5:33 John the Baptist’s disciples: Most rabbis had students who learned from them and served them (see also Acts 19:1-7). • fast and pray regularly: Many pious Jews fasted two days a week (Luke 18:12). Fasting was associated with spiritual preparation (Esth 4:16) and repentance (2 Sam 12:22; Joel 1:14; Jon 3:5). Fasting is not a means of righteousness (Isa 58:4-5; Jer 14:12) but a spiritual discipline for cultivating intimacy with God. Fasting is often linked with prayer and spiritual retreat. • Why are your disciples always eating and drinking? The point was that t”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:13: 58:13 Like the practice of fasting, the Sabbath was intended to be an expression of self-denial and worship. It consists of delighting in the Lord, trusting him to provide for one’s needs while abstaining from work, and living in obedience to his will.”
- Isaiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Isaiah 58:5: Whilst the people on the fast-day are carrying on their worldly, selfish, everyday business, the fasting is perverted from a means of divine worship and absorption in the spiritual character of the day to the most thoroughly selfish purposes: it is supposed to be of some worth and to merit some reward. This work-holy delusion, behind which self-righteousness and unrighteousness were concealed, is met thus by Jehovah through His prophet: "Can such things as these pass for a fast that I have pleasure in, as a day for a man to afflict his soul? To bow down his hea”