“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
– God (Isaiah 58:6)
A fast may seem a daunting task. Denying ourselves the substances that are necessary to quality life, or life itself depending on the nature of one’s fast. It is something we are taught through Scriptures and one we hope will draw us closer to God, but why do we fast? What are we truly hoping to accomplish during our time of deprivation?
Many people fast for many reasons. Some enjoy the rapid loss of weight and find that becoming their goal. Some wish to feel more spiritually connected with God. Some hope for an answer to specific prayer, or an intercession to assist them. Some seek to rid themselves of improper habits or nagging fears.
For whichever reason we fast, God has explained that first, it is for freedom.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Is our Father speaking of freeing others? Yes, that is very much the direction of His chosen fast, as the next verse reveals.
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh?”
– God (Isaiah 58:7)
However, consider this. How can any of us give something we do not have? If we are still trapped within bonds of wickedness, like a character flaw of hypocrisy, or fear, or dishonesty – they may be subtle wisps of who we once were but they can still exist. How effective can we hope to be releasing others from the bonds of wickedness when we ourselves are still to one degree or another trapped within? Now do not become disheartened. God meets us where we are, and every effort to do well in Jesus’ name He honours and assists. Continue striving to do well. But we ourselves are not yet perfect. And God does call each of us to perfection.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
– Jesus (Matthew 5:48)
Our fasting then begins with seeking to loose the bonds of wickedness that hinder us, to undo the heavy burdens that we carry, to be free of our oppressions, and break all the yokes we carry unnecessarily. It is our goal to be better and freer than we were before we began our fast. It is our hope to be of even greater use for our Lord in service to Him.
The greatest struggle when fasting is our own minds trying to influence us, telling us we are hungry or missing out on something good. And of course the lies of the enemy seek to strengthen that belief so that we begin to see nothing but what we are denying ourselves, and we lose sight of our initial hopes of growing before our Father. But consider Jesus as He fasted in the wilderness, He was beset by temptations of the devil to give up His pursuit or to find a quick way to accomplish His mission. Yet the enemy could not succeed, nor could Jesus’ own mortal body persuade Him to take His focus off His goal.
Jesus was alone. His fast could not serve others, yet as the Son of God His fast would be the fast that God has chosen. So what did He accomplish? He broke the bonds of wickedness that sought to entangle Him. His body and mind would try instinctively to tell Him He must eat, and the devil tried every persuasion to take Jesus away from His mission – His goal. And He stood fast and considered only His completeness in His Father.
“… Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. …”
– Jesus (Matthew 4:4)
When we fast we share in the same discipline and opportunity as Jesus. We grow and become better prepared in our service. When Jesus completed forty days of fasting, and overcame all the temptations, He went out proclaiming the good news in the power of His Father – freeing those demon possessed, healing the sick, and revealing the Truth of God’s Kingdom. Our fasting is chosen for the same purpose, to be free so that we may better set others free.
Our fasting then begins with seeking to loose the bonds of wickedness that hinder us, to undo the heavy burdens that we carry, to be free of our oppressions, and break all the yokes we carry unnecessarily.
What are some of the bonds, burdens, oppressions, and yolks that might be seeking to be free from? Here are a few thoughts:
- Addiction to any substance – harmful or not – that we believe we MUST have
- Unforgiveness of others for some slight we suffered
- Pride in our accomplishments where we feel defined by them and valuable because of them
- Anger against others that does not go away
- Envy of what others seem to have that we feel we should have
- Anything that seems more important than Jesus
These can be very evident, or they can be very subtle, but a sincere fast will help us to recognize them. And our Father will strengthen us in overcoming them. Our fast actually invites these bonds and burdens to appear for we are humbling ourselves, and the flesh and the enemy are in contrast to that.
Try not to think about what you are giving up in your fast, but instead consider what you will gain. God does not disappoint! He will meet us where we are, and He honours the humbled soul. Fast to seek your freedom.
Here are a few tips to assist you when you begin your journey:
- Read this article from crosswalk.com on getting started.
- Our body will try to tell us we are hungry. That only lasts about 48 hours.
- You will lose weight. Be pleased, but do not let that become your goal.
- Read the bible and dedicate quiet time before God – pour out your heart to Him.
- Pay attention as God will inspire you by His Spirit to see things you have not noticed before.
- Read this article from allaboutfasting.com for safely monitoring and concluding your fast.
Our best hopes for you as you seek to grow in Christ. You will succeed! And you will find yourself closer to freedom in Him.
When we fast we share in the same discipline and opportunity as Jesus. We grow and become better prepared in our service.
