Approved Fasting
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? (Isa.58.6).
Part of the spiritual exercises a believer does is fasting. Fasting is the self discipline to avoid eating food for a period of time in order to seek the face of God. This is a voluntary exercise that sometimes could be declared for a group of believers. Fasting does not change God, it however brings the body to a position of humility for acceptable spiritual exercise. There are expected attitudes to be displayed during fasting. Prior to the above text, people fasted and behaved the way they liked. God rejected such type of fasting.
The need to put up acceptable behaviours during fasting is to avoid going on hunger strike for such exercise. During fasting, God expects that the oppressed are helped out of their predicaments. He expects yokes to be broken, loosening of the wicked, and to undo heavy burdens. There is the need to be sensitive to people around you, you might waste time of fasting without such considerations.
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward (Matt.6.16).
Fasting is unto God with zero input from people’s commendation. Don’t fall into the trap of seeking recognition from people for such a Spiritual conduct. It is also important to have sufficient time to pray and study the word of God in the process. Jesus fasted and so we must. Amen.
©Olusola John.