Stepping Stones For Victorious Christ Centered Living 17: The Power of The Secret Fast

 

The Global Methodist Symbol

Jesus And The Importance of Fasting The Right Way

In our day and age, many have forgotten this spiritual practice which the Lord blesses. I am talking about the spiritual practice of fasting. Mighty things happen when God's people fast in the way our Lord Jesus blesses. And, as we look at The Word of God, Jesus provides us with some seriously marvelous information, and He Keeps It Simple Saint.

The Eternal Principle of Secret Fasting

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do: For they disfigure their faces to demonstrate to others they are  fasting. Truly, I tell you they have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to others you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18

God's Secret Service

Previously, we talked about how God blesses us when we behave as His "Secret Service."  It's the Secret Service Agents of God whom God rewards in accomplishing His Kingdom's work. This brings Him glory and this staying off stage action accomplishes great things; however, religious folks, like the hypocrites of Jesus day, get this all wrong. It's just like how they blow it in secret praying and secret giving. They do it for show in order to get the praise of fellow human beings of their generation. Guess what? The Lord says, "they have their reward." Yes! The praise of their fellow human beings is all they get from it. Miracles don't occur. Lives don't change. Revival does not happen. The mighty moving of the Holy Spirit is no where to be found. God's power, in action, does NOT accompany their fasting.

The Hypocrite

Jesus describes the "hypocrites" fast in a few short words, and He clearly tells us to NOT do as they do: "They disfigure their faces to demonstrate they are fasting." It's like they are on stage putting on a  show, and they are acting the part of a person who fasts, but they are shouting from the stage of life, "Hey! I up here! I am fasting! I am really a great servant of the Lord! You all need to really think highly of me because I am doing this honorable thing! Please, pat me on the back" Jesus passes judgment, and His judgment is God's judgment: This person was really wasting time. Nothing godly is going to come of it. Indeed, the only thing that they can count on is a minimal reward. And that reward is the praise they are seeking. This is highly ineffective fasting at it's best.  I don't recommend following their example.

Do It But Don't Show It

Now, take a moment and examine the fast Jesus describes: Once again, He is using only a few short words; however, that is where the similarity to the hypocrite comes to a screeching halt. "When you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, so that it will NOT be obvious to others you are fasting, but only to your Father who sees what is done in secret." Check out the outcome:  First, you fast only for an audience of ONE. Fast ONLY to be seen, in your secret place -- Secret Agent of The Lord -- by the Lord God Almighty.  Then, when He sees your covert operation, He will reward you openly.  Things will begin to happen.

How To Fast

I have stated that Jesus says to fast secretly. This is an absolute; however, what does fasting mean.  Books have been written about this, and I will not even begin to cover even a thumbnail sketch of this topic. I will describe a few:

•  There is the absolute fast where both food and water are eliminated.
•  There are those who only do without food.
• Then, there are those, who may have health issues, and they have medicines to take with food, but they want to fast? What to do about this?
• A partial fast is recommended; for example, you may just limit certain foods:
• Leave off bread is one example.
• Leave off delicate foods like desserts or sweets.
• Leave off processed foods like chips, etc.  
• Daniel had a unique fast that was a sort of a partial fast, and God really blessed it: Daniel 1:5-21; 10:3
• Pray to God for guidance on this, and then be a secret servant.

Your Challenge Today

You may be experiencing a call from others regarding fasting, decide if you wish to take the challenge:

Choose To Fast to be blessed to be a blessing for God's glory and honor.

Choose, with God's guidance, the kind of fast.

For the sake of our Lord Jesus, do this for The Audience of ONE.
Receive God's Eternal Reward.

God Bless You

S o J o u r n e r