Fasting

Definition: The partial or complete abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.

Biblical principles:

A. Mt. 4:1-4

1. Jesus fasted

2. A person needs not only physical nourishment, but spiritual as well (cf. Jn.

4:32-34)

B. Mk. 2:18-20; Mt. 6:16-18

1. Jesus assumed that his disciples would fast.

2. Fasting is for God, not so that we can demonstrate to others that we fast.

C. 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27: Paul considered fasting a normal part of the Christian life.

Why fast?

1. It is for God and is a form of worship (Zech. 7:4,5; Lk. 2:36-37; Acts 13:1-3; Mt. 6:16-18

2. When we have great trouble or need (Neh. 1:4; Ez. 8:21-23; Est. 4:3-16; a. Mourning. (Josh. 7:6; c. Crisis. (1 Sam. 7:6; Esther 4:16)

3. To express repentance before God (Jonah 3:5-8; Acts 9:9).

Results of fasting

1. Fasting can facilitate spiritual renewal. It teaches us to rely on God.

2. It can prepare us for God’s leading (Dt. 9:9; Dan. 10:3; Acts 13:1-3)

How to fast?

1. Start slowly—24 hours or less

2. Drink water or juice

3. Spend the time in other spiritual disciplines

4. If you have health problems, fasting may not be recommended

Warnings

1. Is. 58:3-11

2. Col 2:23

“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” (Colossians 2:23).

Meditation

Defined as “...to engage in contemplation or reflection...to focus one’s thoughts on: reflect on or ponder over.” (Webster, 1986, p. 738).

Difference between Christian meditation and Eastern/New Age meditation:

The goal of eastern meditation is to empty the mind, to “leave” the body and the world in order to achieve union with the Atman, Brahman, nirvana, the cosmic mind, etc. The purpose is to lose one’s own personality and self. Detachment from earthly concerns.

The goal of Christian meditation is to fill one’s mind with the true God. It means to meditate on God and on his word. Christian meditation is closely connected to the reading of Scripture and prayer. (Ps. 63:3-8; Ps. 119). It help us develop “a familiar friendship with Jesus” (Thomas a Kempis).

How to meditate:

1. Meditation on Scripture (Meditatio Scripturarum): A focus of thoughts on Scripture (individual words and/or phrases). Ps. 119:15,99

2. Meditation on concrete objects of God’s creation Ps. 19:1-2.

3. Meditation on Attributes of God.(143:5).

4. “Palms down/Palms up” (2 Kings 19:14-19).