Fasting: Laying Down Your Will For God’s Will–Part 2

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Posted by Tony Cervero, Assistant Superintendent

Note: This is the second of three parts of my article on prayer and fasting. As I mentioned in the first part, to obtain a better understanding of fasting, please read Isaiah 58:1-12. In this portion of the Old Testament, Isaiah lays out what I believe to be the most thorough instruction on the subject of fasting in the entire Bible. Most other scriptural passages on fasting simply make a single statement about it – Isaiah 58 lays a sturdy foundation by revealing God’s heart about fasting. Twice in Isaiah 58 (verses 5 and 6), God laments over the Israelite’s hollow rituals by asking: Is this the kind of fast I have chosen? … Is not this the kind of fast I have chosen? These questions imply that God, not only has called us to fast, he has chosen a specific pattern and purpose for our fasting. (I would love to expound upon the many truths and elements packed into this chapter, but for this setting, I will include only a few of the rich nuggets of Isaiah 58) Whereas, this month’s article deals with the problems God saw in the lives of the Israelites, please keep in mind that next month we will discuss the PROMISES of Fasting unto God.

I dedicate the first three months of my CONNECTION articles to fasting because I believe that God is calling us, as a District, to move forward in the year 2012 with a clear call from God to move to the next level. However, I am strongly convinced that this spiritual advance will not be a result of a new program or a different paradigm of ministry … we must first press forward in PRAYER and FASTING.

While he was a missionary in Georgia, John Wesley ate only bread for 2 months to gain the spiritual strength to withstand the demonic activity he encountered while ministering to the Native Americans. In addition, Wesley’s regular routine included fasting two times weekly. Little did he realize that during those times of fasting in Georgia, God was planting a ministry that would reach far beyond what Wesley could have ever imagined. His ministry in Georgia was, by most standards, a failure. However, during that time, God was pouring into that isolated missionary’s heart a spiritual vitality that would shake the world.

Martin Luther, fasted for 6 months, eating only 3 ounces of meat and 4 ounces of vegetables every day. It was after this six-month period of fasting that Luther came to the deep conviction that we are not saved by our work or action, it is by grace we are saved by faith. As a result of this revelation, he stood firm against Papal Authority while birthing the reformation.

These are only a few examples of people, who put aside their own appetites, to take on God’s Will and God’s Plan.

Fasting is more essential and spiritually strategic than many of us realize. In Mark 9, after a wonder-filled experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples were exasperated when they discovered how powerless they were to defeat a demon that possessed a young boy. Why could they not move the demon? Was it a lack of faith? Jesus clarified this dilemma by telling them this kind (or type of battle) only comes out by prayer and fasting.

Fasting is not a panacea for all spiritual ills. Nevertheless, when exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting provides us with a key to unlock doors where everything else has failed. But there is one catch: God not only cares that we fast – He cares how and why we fast!

Background on Isaiah 58

Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet… (Isaiah 58:1)

With shouts of trumpets, Isaiah 58 calls God’s people to attention to deal with an integral problem with some very devoted and dedicated people. The Israelites were systematic in their religion. Day after day they seek me out ... they seem eager to know my ways … and seem eager for God to come near them (v 2). Isaiah was confronting them because their spiritual observances had become a mere performance with no life or power. Notice how Isaiah uses the words, “they seem.” They seem eager to know and they seem eager to come near God, but a closer inspection reveals that their practices only seemed authentic. So into this facade, God drills beneath the surface to inspect their fasting as tangible proof of their spiritual emptiness.

Problems of Ungodly Fasting– Isaiah 58:3-5

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please ...⁴Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. ⁵Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? (Isaiah 58:3-5)

The first part of God’s message in Isaiah 58 is a rebuke about how they were seeking Him. It wasn’t that they weren’t going through the motions. We have this notion that any type of worship or spiritual practice we desire is OK with God. I like the intent of this sentiment; however, it just isn’t BIBLICAL. The Israelites wanted to fast just like they always had ... and change the world. But they discovered that things don’t work that way: God changes us first. Then He changes the world.

God was rebuking them for HOW they were fasting. You would think that God would be happy that the Israelites were fasting at all. After all, look around … the other nations at that time were heathen and barbaric. Some nations even practiced child sacrifice. I’d expect that God would be happy enough that the Israelites even tried to fast. But God knew what He had planned for Israel. He desired them to be the “change agent” for the world, and in return they settled for empty religion.

So, God asks: Is this the kind of fast I have chosen? There are two reasons for God’s Rebuke:

a. Their Rebellion – Isaiah 58:1–3

Isaiah 58:3 Yet on the Day of your fasting; You do as you please.

God is telling them: You do AS you please; You do what you please; You do what pleases you; You do how it pleases you; and You go where you please! Fasting is meant to bring us in alignment with God. If we are ever to align with God, we must be doing what pleases HIM. The Israelites have a long history of doing what pleased them and getting their way. They wanted a King; God wanted to rule over them. Result of the conflict: they got King Saul. God wanted them to have no other gods before Him; the Israelites were fascinated with Baal and the gods of other nations. Result of the conflict: Israel actually had foreign gods on the altar before God. At almost every turn, they got what they wanted and how they wanted it.

Fasting forces you to ask: Who and What am I pleasing? By eliminating food, we discover how much and how strong we desire. There is nothing like fasting to demonstrate the frightful insistence of the flesh to have its own way.

Fasting means crucifying what one author referred to as “King Stomach.” If you want to hear and obey God, sooner or later, you will have to crucify that dictator within us. So much of our thinking is ruled by a self-centered principle: What is in it for me? As a boomer, I have been conditioned to want to enjoy all the world has to offer. Fasting boldly attacks this core value of my generation, which cries out: What’s in it for me? Believe it or not, fasting, for the most part, is not about you and your needs. It is about God and our desire to fulfill HIS DESIRES. We fast so that we can be set free to do God’s Will. We fast so that God’s Will can be done in the areas of our lives that clearly don’t align with His Word.

Consider Adam and Eve or Esau; these people actually ate themselves out of the Will of God for their lives. No matter how you slice it, that is rebellion.

b. Their Relationships– Isaiah 58: 4, 9

Isaiah 58:4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Just as it teaches in James 4, anything that ends in quarrelling is usually contaminated by our desires. God claims that this type of fasting is driven by our desires, motives, and pleasures because it produces quarreling, strife, and striking. WOW!

It is impossible to avoid all relational conflicts. It is going to happen to you, especially if you are a pastor or a leader with a strong personality in relationship with someone else with a strong personality. Conflict is inevitable. There is a relational conflict in your future (or quite possibly in your present situation). Some people respond to conflict by just denying it or covering it over. Strife keeps rising to the surface in their attitudes and words, no matter how we try to sound sanctimonious or self-righteous about our conflicts. But beware; these conflicts are robbing us of the ability to fulfill God’s Will in our ministry, Church, and District. Our future depends on our ability to live God’s way in relationships with those God has placed around us.

God decrees in verse 9: Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I - If you do away … with the pointing finger and malicious talk ... We live in a world that points its finger and loves to talk.

Pointing Finger? This long, boney, ET-looking, self-righteous, judgmental, pharisaical finger loves to blame its problems on someone else and dump all our unsanctified reactions and emotions on the shoulders of the very people God calls us to love. The Lord says: if you don’t stop this and get rid of it fully – you won’t hear from me. Here is our problem: it is our practice to wrongly assume that we have dealt with criticism, as pastors, because all the things, about which I am critical, DESERVE TO BE CRITICIZED!

What do you do with a people or church that refuses to break out of how they relate to others in quarrelling or criticism? God says: Nothing!

Malicious Talk?This term refers to the dangerous practice of talking to the wrong people while never bringing your thoughts and tongue under the Holy Spirit’s control. It is a conversation that caters to the FLESH. Being malicious doesn’t have to be loud or nasty to be deadly. It is simply talking to the wrong people (or to too many people) in the very moment you should be letting God sanctify your thoughts and words. This type of discussion is harmful. We even include it in our preaching!

Have you ever had God place a “Holy Spirit SPEED BUMP” in a conversation in which you are involved? It’s when the Holy Spirit says: STOP IT! The more you ignore it, the more you grow numb, and malicious! Our neighborhood has speed bumps. They are placed on our streets to make sure everyone is driving safely and under control. They are there to protect our children. But when I am in a hurry (true confession here), too often I fly right over them. When I do (hypothetically) I totally disregard the potential danger and possible harm to others, my car, and me. Much like these speed bumps, God places spiritual speed bumps in our lives when we begin to speak about someone with whom we are having a difficult time loving at this moment. And in the spiritual realm, we disregard the harm you may be bringing to others, your church, and yourself.

The Issue?You can be a malicious talker; just don’t expect to be a world changer through prayer and fasting. I’ve seen malicious talkers want to be a people of faith and healing even though they plant crops of bad seed all week long.

Fully loving God and others… it is the foundation of how God expects us to fast. Again, this month we discussed the negative aspects of God’s rebuke to Israel about fasting. But keep in mind that Isaiah speaks much more on the positive side of God’s promises about godly fasting. Next month, we will discuss the PROMISES OF GODLY FASTING. Until then, have a wonderful February filled with God’s love and joy! IF with all your heart you seek Him, you will surely find Him!

Comments:

Thanks for this. We are in the midst of 21 days of prayer and fasting.

By Barbara Gilliam on February 01, 2012

This was the 4th year in a row that we have begun the year with 21 days of fasting accompanied by prayer. Lives have been changed, our church has been blessed, the lost have been coming to Christ - God is good. Fasting accompanied by prayer is not only a neglected expectation [Jesus said “when you fast”] but a lost discipline in the Boody of Christ. Thank you for calling the Church to fasting.

By Bob Willis on February 01, 2012

Thanks Tony. Good stuff. My wife and I just finished a 21 day fast. Its amazing what God reveals when all the junk gets cleared out.

By Jack Bates on February 01, 2012

Southern California Assemblies of God