what fasting accomplishes

7/28/2019 What Fasting Accomplishes

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WhatFastingAccomplishes

Matthew 9:1415 says;

Thencame

to

him

the

disciples

of

John,

saying,

Why

do

we

and

the

Pharisees

fast

oft,

but

thydisciplesfastnot?

AndJesussaiduntothem,Canthechildrenofthebridechambermourn,aslongasthebridegroomiswiththem? Butthedayswillcome,whenthebridegroomshallbetaken fromthem,andthenshaltheyfast.WhatIsFasting?

The Greek word for fast is nesteuo (pronounced nacetyooo), meaning to abstain from food. The

American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language defines fast as to abstain from eating all or certain

foods, especially as a religious discipline or as a means of protest.

Fasting purchases spiritual things (it gets), by exchanging them for (giving up) natural or carnal things

Fasting primarily involves the abstinence from food. It can be pleasant foods (Daniel 10:3), some foods (such

as fasting from meats, snacks, etc..), or all foods. I believe that you can also fast from any carnal or naturathing that holds your flesh captive, such as television ( I strongly recommend this), reading the newspaper

getting on the internet or telephone, etc One of Daniels fast included not anointing himself with oil (Danie

10:3). In this text the word anoint in the Hebrew is mashach, meaning to rub with oil. This had to do with

Daniel lubricating his skin, similar to what we do with lotion. Daniel was denying his flesh even this luxury o

being greased or lubricated through his fast.

FastingSubjugatesTheFleshThe American Heritage Dictionary Of the English Language defines the word subjugate as, to bring under

dominion, conquer; subdue. It means to make subservient; enslave. The question that we must now ask

ourselves is Why do we need to conquer or subdue our flesh? The carnal man or woman (including carna

Christians) does not want their flesh subdued, rather they want to let their flesh run wild, experiencing any,and everything that it wants. The Christian who wants to walk in the spirit must understand, that the greater

the subjection of the flesh, the greater the dominion of the spirit. When the flesh is subdued, then the spirit is

alive and dominant.

Fasting causes the flesh to be subdued and the spirit man or woman to be empowered. We will examine

this point later in the lesson based on Luke 4:114. Many religions fast out of religious ceremony or to

discipline their flesh alone, while the Christian fast by the Leading of the Holy Spirit, to both discipline the

flesh and to birth greater levels of spiritual power, through the dominion of the spirit person.

TheHolySpiritCanLeadYouIntoPeriodsOfFasting.The Holy Spirit can lead you into periods of fasting to strengthen your Anointing, to birth a ministry in you, or

release you into Gods service. Luke 4:12 gives us this example, it reads;And Jesus being full of theHolyGhost returned from Jordan, andwas led by the Spirit into thewilderness,Being fortydays temptedof thedevil. And in thosedayshedideatnothing:andwhen theywereended,heafterwardhungered.Jesus was led into the wilderness to fast by the Holy Spirit. The fasting crucified the desires of His flesh

causing a greater level of spiritual power to flow from Him.

When the Holy Spirit leads you into fasting, many will not understand, yet you must submit to the leading

of the Holy Spirit.


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FastingGivesUs(TheChristian)TheStrengthToSubmitToTheWillOfGod.When our flesh is dominant, it often causes our request to God to be those of our desires and fleshly wants

rather than Gods will. When we fast and pray we gain the spiritual strength to submit to Gods will, due to

the fact that the flesh is subdued, and thus, not having its own way. When we are submitted to the will of God

we often see expedient answers to prayer. This is because in our submission to God, we begin to pray the wil

of God, rather than the wants of the flesh. Whenever you pray Gods will, He quickly responds, because

praying His will is always the perfect prayer, which causes the answer to come.

Fasting with prayer gets your mind off of earthly things causing you to become more heavenly minded

because the spirit man or woman, who is now dominant, begins to make spiritual things a priority. Often the

Church (Body Of Christ) is so alive to the flesh, that we have unknowingly crucified the spirit man or woman,

causing us to be weak in spiritual things. This can be evident when you pray for the sick and you see no

results of healing. Your spirit man or woman has been crucified. Get your spirit man off the cross and put

your flesh there in its place. The spirit of a person gains life and strength as the flesh is crucified. Galatians

5:1617 says;

ThisIsaythen,WalkintheSpirit,andyeshallnotfulfilthelustoftheflesh.ForthefleshlustethagainsttheSpirit,andtheSpiritagainsttheflesh:andthesearecontrarytheonetotheother:sothatyecannotdothethingsthatyewould.The Book of Galatians says that you cannot do the things that you would. What are those things that you

would do? All things associated with walking in the Spirit, including walking in the power of God, andoperating in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, just to name a few.

FastingGivesYouSpiritualStrength.Fasting is one of the best ways to crucify the flesh. Too much of the flesh and the world, causes a Christian

to have too little of the Spirit and power. Fasting and praying is a spirit strengthener. How does fasting and

praying give you spiritual strength? Again, the answer is that it crucifies the flesh, causing the spirit man or

woman to gain dominance. In Mark 9:29 Jesus gives the disciples additional insight regarding why they could

not cast out a dumb spirit. Jesus pointed out that prayer and fasting was necessary, it reads;

Andhesaiduntothem,Thiskindcancomeforthbynothing,butbyprayerandfasting.Why? Because fasting strengthens our dominion over our flesh, and thus increases our spiritual strength

The more you crucify the flesh (not just all food fast, but from delightful foods, and carnal things as a whole,such as television), the greater the spirit man or woman becomes, if you feed it faith food (the Word of God).

Beloved, when you are crucified with Christ, then Christ can live in you. Galatians 2:20 says;

IamcrucifiedwithChrist:neverthelessIlive;yetnotI,butChristlivethinme:andthelifewhichInowliveinthefleshIlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,wholovedme,andgavehimselfforme.Fasting truly helps you crucify the world and its fleshy desires. Galatians 6:14 says;

ButGodforbidthatIshouldglory,saveinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist,bywhomtheworldiscrucifieduntome,andIuntotheworld.The reason many in the early Church moved in mighty power, was because the world was crucified unto

them, and they had learned to live and walk in the spirit, by fasting and praying.

FastingCanCauseYouToSow(Plant)InTheSpirit.Fasting, because it crucifies the flesh, causes us to sow (plant) in the spirit, which in turn produces spiritua

fruit. Galatians 6:79 says;

Benotdeceived;Godisnotmocked:forwhatsoeveramansoweth,thatshallhealsoreap.Forhethatsowethtohisfleshshallofthefleshreapcorruption;buthethatsowethtotheSpiritshaloftheSpiritreaplifeeverlasting.Andletusnotbewearyinwelldoing:forindueseasonweshallreap,ifwefaintnot.

When our flesh is crucified we dont sow or plant things in it, but what is required to maintain it, causing it not

to produce a harvest (be lead by the Holy Spirit and not what you think). Because the flesh is crucified there

is no successful battle being waged against our spirit, thus allowing us to sow or plant spiritual things


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unhindered, which in turn will produce a bountiful spiritual harvest.

FastingCanBringForth:Power Luke 4:115 tells us of Jesus fast and the results, it reads;

And Jesus being full of theHolyGhost returned from Jordan, andwas led by the Spirit into thewilderness,Being fortydays temptedof thedevil. And in thosedayshedideatnothing:andwhen theywereended,Heafterwardhungered.AndthedevilsaiduntoHim,ifthoubetheSonofGod,commandthisstonethatitbemadebread.And Jesusansweredhimsaying, it iswritten, thatmanshallnot livebybreadalone,butbyeverywordofGod.Andthedevil,takingHimupintoanhighmountain,showeduntoHimalltheKingdomsoftheworldinamomentoftime.AndthedevilsaiduntoHim,allthispowerwillIgivetheeandthegloryofthem:forthatisdelivereduntome;andtowhomeverIwillIgiveit.Ifthouthereforewillworshipme,allshallbethine.And Jesus answered and said untoHim, get thee behindme, Satan: for it iswritten, Thou shaltworshiptheLordthyGod,andHimonlyshaltthouserve.AndhebroughtHimtoJerusalem,andsetHimonapinnacleofthetemple,andsaiduntoHim,ifthoubetheSonofGod,castthyselffromhence:Foritiswritten,HeshallgiveHisangelschargeoverthee,tokeepthee:Andintheirhandstheyshallbeartheeup,lestatanytimethoudashthyfootagainstastone.AndJesusansweringsaiduntohim,itissaid,thoushaltnottempttheLordthyGod.Andwhenthedevilhadendedallthetemptation,hedepartedfromHimforaseason.AndJesusreturnedinthepoweroftheSpiritintoGalilee:andtherewentoutafameofHimthroughalltheregionroundabout.AndHetaughtintheirsynagogues,beingglorifiedofall.

The fasting crucified Jesus flesh, giving Him the spiritual strength to reject the temptation of the enemy, and

causing Him to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you desire to walk in the power of God, I recommend that

you seek the Holy Spirit regarding how He wants you to fast, and then submit to His directions.

Revelation Daniel was seeking understanding and revelation regarding the captivity of his people. He

began to pray and fast regarding the matter, and God sent an answer. Daniel 9:14 and 9:2023 says;

1InthefirstyearofDariusthesonofAhasuerus,oftheseedoftheMedes,whichwasmadekingovertherealmoftheChaldeans;2In the firstyearofhis reign IDanielunderstoodbybooks thenumberof theyears,whereof theword of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in thedesolationsofJerusalem.3AndIsetmyfaceuntotheLordGod,toseekbyprayerandsupplications,withfasting,andsackclothandashes:4And I prayed unto the Lordmy God, and mademy confession, and said, O Lord, the great anddreadful God, keeping the covenant andmercy to them that love him, and to them that keep hiscommandments;20AndwhilesIwasspeaking,andpraying,andconfessingmysinandthesinofmypeopleIsrael,andpresentingmysupplicationbeforetheLordmyGodfortheholymountainofmyGod;21Yea,whiles Iwasspeaking inprayer,even themanGabriel,whom Ihadseen inthevisionatthebeginning,beingcausedtoflyswiftly,touchedmeaboutthetimeoftheeveningoblation.22Andheinformedme,andtalkedwithme,andsaid,ODaniel,Iamnowcomeforthtogivetheeskillandunderstanding.


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23Atthebeginningofthysupplicationsthecommandmentcameforth,andIamcometoshowthee;forthouartgreatlybeloved:thereforeunderstandthematter,andconsiderthevision.After Daniel prayed and fasted regarding his people, God sent Gabriel to reveal to Him what was about to

happen, thus giving him understanding.

Impartation Fasting can build up a charge to impart to those being released and sent out into ministry

service unto the Lord. Acts 13:13 says;

NowtherewereinthechurchthatwasatAntiochcertainprophetsandteachers;asBarnabas,andSimeon thatwas calledNiger,andLuciusofCyrene,andManaen,whichhadbeenbroughtupwithHerodthetetarch,andSaul.AstheyministeredtotheLord,andfasted,theHolyGhostsaid,SeparatemeBarnabasandSaulfortheworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem.Andwhentheyhadfastedandprayed,andlaidtheirhandsonthem,theysentthemaway.

Fasting gave them direction through the Holy Ghost regarding the call on the lives of two of the men that were

with them. After they were given revelation regarding Saul and Barnabas, they fasted again, and laid their

hands on them imparting to them the charge or power necessary to fulfill the call of the Holy Ghost on these

two mens lives. It is important that you realize that the people who were laying hands fasted, and the people

(Saul and Barnabas) who were going to receive the charge also fasted. Both parties fasted and not just one.

Breakthrough God often hears our prayers and sends and answer immediately, yet it would seem tha

demonic hindrances try to stop the answers from getting to us. This is why it is important to pray and fast

until you get an answer. Daniel fasted for 21 days, which I believe gave him breakthrough regarding the

answer that God had sent to him. Daniel 10:13 and 10:1014 says;

1InthethirdyearofCyruskingofPersiaathingwasrevealeduntoDaniel,whosenamewascalledBelteshazzar;andthethingwastrue,butthetimeappointedwaslong:andheunderstoodthethingandhadunderstandingofthevision.2InthosedaysIDanielwasmourningthreefullweeks.3Iatenopleasantbread,neithercamefleshnorwineinmymouth,neitherdidIanointmyselfatalltillthreeweekswerefulfilled.10And,behold,anhandtouchedme,whichsetmeuponmykneesanduponthepalmsofmyhands.11Andhesaiduntome,ODaniel,amangreatlybeloved,understandthewordsthatIspeakuntotheeandstandupright:foruntotheeamInowsent. Andwhenhehadspokenthisworduntome,Istoodtrembling.12Then saidheuntome, Fearnot,Daniel: for from the firstday that thoudidst set thineheart tounderstand, and to chasten thyself before thyGod, thywordswere heard, and I am come for thywords.13ButtheprinceofthekingdomsofPersiawithstoodmeoneandtwentydays:but,lo,Michael,oneofthechiefprinces,cametohelpme;andIremainedtherewiththekingsofPersia.14NowIamcometomaketheeunderstandwhatshallbefallthypeopleinthelatterdays:foryetthevisionisformanydays.Breakthrough regarding answers to prayer is often accomplished by extended fasting.

DontJustFastAlone!During times of fasting you must strengthen your spirit for it to truly benefit you. You do this by praying

reading Gods Word, confessing the Word, memorizing and quoting the Word, etc... The Word of God is quick

(alive) and powerful, and so if you are going to crucify your flesh, then you need to put the Word of God in

you, to strengthen and bring to life your spirit.

When you fast you should be seeking Gods Face (His mind, wisdom and direction). Whatever you need or

are seeking to accomplish during a fast, you should seek Gods face for direction. Ezra 8:2123;


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ThenIproclaimedafastthere,attheriverofAhava,thatwemightafflictourselvesbeforeourGodtoseekofhimarightwayforus,andforourlittleones,andforalloursubstance.For Iwasashamed to requireof thekingabandof soldiersandhorsemen tohelpusagainst theenemyintheway:becausewehadspokenuntothekingsaying,ThehandofourGodisuponallthemforgoodthatseekhim;buthispowerandhiswrathisagainstallthemthatforsakehim.SowefastedandbesoughtourGodforthis:andhewasintreatedofus.

Fasting should be a time in which we draw closer to the Lord. It should not be a time in which we just stop

eating or doing things to discipline our flesh, rather a time in which we increase our pursuit of the Lord

removing all fleshly obstacles that hinder our relationship with God. True fasting causes God to become the

priorityin our life.Examination.

Fasting often causes a person to examine themselves, to see the things (sins and habits) that are not right

in the sight of God, that need to be removed. This in turn causes a person to repent of known and unknown

sins (these sins can be a persons individual sins, the sins of a group of people, or a nation, as with Daniel and

Nehemiah). You should repent for your sins and the sins of those under your authority, both naturally and

spiritually during times of fasting. Nehemiah fasted, prayed and acknowledged the sins of Israel, the sins o

his fathers house, and His own sins. Nehemiah 1:47 says;

Anditcametopass,whenIheardthesewords,thatIsatdownandwept,andmournedcertaindaysandfasted,andprayedbeforetheGodofheaven,Andsaid,Ibeseechthee,OLordGodofheaven,thegreatandterribleGod,thatkeepethcovenantandmercyforthemthatlovehimandobservehiscommandments:Letthineearnowbeattentive,andthineeyesopen,thatthoumayestheartheprayerofthyservantwhich Ipraybeforetheenow,dayandnight,forthechildrenofIsraelthyservants,andconfessthesinsofthechildrenofIsrael,whichwehavesinnedagainstthee:bothIandmyfathershousehavesinned.Wehavedealtverycorruptlyagainstthee,andhavenotkeptthecommandments,northestatutesnorthejudgments,whichthoucommandedstthyservantMoses.Repentance causes Gods ears to be open toward a person. Isaiah 59:12 says;Behold,theLordshand isnotshortened,that itcannotsave;neitherhisearheavy,that itcannothear:ButyouriniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear.Fasting causes repentance (being sorry and turning from sins) and repentance causes Gods ear to be open to

our prayers.

YourFastingShouldHaveApurpose.Fasting is not some religious act, rather it is purposed to accomplish something. You need to know why

you are fasting. One of the best reasons we should fast is the subjugation of our flesh, so that our spirit person

can be dominant and submitted to the will of God. God will often lead you on a fast, burdening your heart

with a particular issue or goal. Nehemiah fasted for the city of Jerusalem and its walls to be restored. Danie

fasted for understanding of the time of the end of the children of Israels captivity. You too, should have a

purposed fast, even if its to just to keep your flesh in subjection, so that your spirit man or woman would be

dominant.

FastingCanHelpYouOvercomeHabitsAndSin.If you have things that you are trying to overcome, including habits and sins, I suggest that you begin to

fast, especially from food, as well as from the habit of sin. Again, Jesus fasted for forty days, which

strengthened His Spirit man to overcome the temptations that the enemy was trying to seduce Him with


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Matthew 4:12 says;

ThenwasJesusledupoftheSpiritintothewildernesstobetemptedofthedevil.Andwhenhehadfastedfortydaysandfortynights,hewasafterwardanhungered.

In Matthew 4:311 we see that Jesus overcame the enemies temptations. Although His flesh was hungry and

probably weak, His Spirit Man was strengthened, and full, giving Him the power and faith to cast down the

devils offers and rebuke him. If you are going through struggles with sin, habits or addictions (including

television, stealing, shopping, drugs, pornography, alcohol, etc..) then you should seek God on how you should

fast for breakthrough and deliverance.

FastingGetsOurEarsSensitiveToTheVoiceOfGod.Fasting helps us crucify our desires, thoughts, ideas, and plans that often get in the way of us hearing Gods

plans and thoughts for us. Fasting kills the fleshes dominant voice, causing the spirit of God to be heard. This

causes us to be able to hear Gods directions and plans for us clearly. In Acts 13:2 we see how fasting made

the people of God sensitive to hear Gods directions, it reads;

AstheyministeredtotheLord,andfasted,theHolyGhostsaid,SeparatemeBarnabasandSaulfortheworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem.Fasting will help you hear the voice of the Living God.

TheEnemyAlwaysChallengesFasting.The enemy always challenges fasting, because he knows what it accomplishes; breakthrough and power

He (the devil) knows that victory comes through the fasting Christian. The devil will try and tempt the flesh

during periods of fasting, to disqualify you from the place of righteousness that fasting often brings you to. A

person who is victorious over the temptations during periods of fasting, usually comes forth operating in the

power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1314).

If you have asked God for power and breakthrough, then you must understand that that power flows

through the spirit person. For it to flow unhindered your flesh must be crucified.

Many Christians who are called to operate in the power of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit dont see

them functioning in their lives. This often is because their flesh is yet dominant, seeking glory, fame, fortune

notoriety and reputation. Fasting can kill these fleshly desires and cause a person to be quickly ushered into

operating in the power and Anointing that God has called them to. Greater levels of Anointing and powerhappen as we fast and make room in our lives for the Holy Spirit. Remember, that the price for spiritua

things, is the crucifixion and death of many natural things.

God is calling the Church back to fasting and prayer. We have too much of the world in us, to have the

measure of the Holy Spirit that we need to be a demonstration of the Lord in the world. We must empty

ourselves of carnal and worldly things to be available to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Fasting, along with prayer, will give you the long awaited breakthrough that you need. Make your life one

of fasting from those things that make you spiritually weak. If you have not been fasting, then begin, and i

you have been fasting, then raise your level of fasting. Fast until you get a breakthrough. Daniel is our

example, He fasted for 21 days (Daniel 10:2) until he got an answer. FastandPray!

By The Holy Spirit through Bishop Tony Owens

House Of David Ministries Inc. 1(877) 35JESUS

what fasting accomplishes

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