The Power of Fasting

Sin is very hard for us to overcome. God has given us many tools to strengthen us against sin. One of these tools is very difficult to use—but very powerful.

The greatest problem Christians face is sin. We know the basic biblical teaching about sin:

• “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4, King James Version).
• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
• “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).

We in the Church of God understand that prayer, Bible study and meditation are essential elements in overcoming sin. But there is another critical tool that must be employed on a consistent basis—and it is probably the most difficult of all the tools. That tool is fasting!

Fasting should be an integral part of our Christian lives. God created food for our nourishment and pleasure. He knows how much we enjoy it. When we willingly fast for a time, we show God how serious we are about following and obeying Him.

Fasting in Scripture

In Leviticus 23:26-32 God commands His people to fast on the Day of Atonement.

But we see many examples of God’s people fasting outside of the Day of Atonement. Here are some of them:

• Ezra proclaimed a fast for the people of Judah to humble themselves and ask God for protection as they returned from exile (Ezra 8:21). This fasting produced results: “So we fasted and entreated our God for this and He answered our prayer” (verse 23).
• Psalm 109:24 records that David’s knees actually got weak from fasting and prayer.
• Anna, an elderly New Testament prophetess, served God with fasting and prayers night and day (Luke 2:36-37).
• Even the wicked King Ahab fasted and was given God’s mercy (1 Kings 21:27, 29).

Jesus Christ fasted

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Early in His ministry, Jesus faced a titanic battle with Satan—in which Satan tried to tempt Him to sin. Jesus knew He had to take drastic steps to prepare for this battle with Satan, and He spent 40 days and nights fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). This was necessary for Christ because He was going to face temptation greater than any normal person would ever face. The devil approached Jesus when He was physically weak, but spiritually strong and ready for battle.

Luke 4:4-13 records how Jesus successfully resisted Satan’s’ temptations. Fasting afforded our Savior the spiritual power to back up His perfect character with action. If Jesus Christ had to fast to resist sin, how much more do we have to!

Do not neglect fasting

In our daily war against sin, it is imperative that we not neglect this most powerful tool. Though fasting can be physically taxing, it can accelerate our spiritual growth and strengthen us in overcoming sin (Isaiah 58:6, 8).

God’s people should be imitating Christ and other great men and women of the Bible by using the awesome tool of fasting!

To learn more about this powerful tool, read “What Is Fasting?”