Not Every time is Fasting Time

Mark 2:19
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.

Mark 2:20
But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

Fasting is intentional self-denial of a regular need or practice in order to dedicate yourself to prayer. The most common form of fasting is when one denies themselves food and even drink for some time.

Jonah 3:4-5
(4) Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” (5) The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh and told them that because of their sins they will be destroyed. The people of Nineveh fasted as a sign of confession and repentance of sin.

Jonah 3:7-8
(7) This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. (8) But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.

The fasting in Nineveh entailed denying themselves food, drink, and decent clothing (hence the sackcloth). Fasting must have a purpose and the exact nature of what those fasting will deny themselves. The Bible is full of examples of fasting.

Daniel 9:3
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 4:2
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Fasting must be for a particular period of time. Prolonged fasting ceases to be fasting since we learn to adjust and do without what we chose to deny ourselves. Fasting must be for a limited period of time.

1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

A husband and wife can fast from sex. Apostle Paul says it is for a limited period of time. Permanent fasting is not biblical. It must be for a limited period of time.

Apostle Paul also mentions that the sex fast must have mutual consent between husband and wife. It is against God’s will to force your spouse to fast. It is against God’s will to create a situation where people are forced to fast. Apostle Paul talks of mutual consent. Fasting in church, in prayer groups and families must be by mutual consent and not forced. If you force it loses the significance instantly!

Matthew 6:17-18
(17) But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, (18) so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Fasting should be secret. Do not make it obvious to all and sundry that you are fasting. To let everyone or some people know that you are fasting, will cause God to refuse to answer your prayers. Do not make it obvious that you are fasting.

Our text today tells us that Pharisees fasted. Disciples of John fasted. But disciples of Jesus were not fasting. When the public enquired from Jesus why His disciples were not fasting, His response was that not every time is fasting time!

The world is coming to an end. But every time is not fasting time. Evil has increased around us and the temptations are many, but every time is not fasting time. Sicknesses, shortage of money and other resources, relationships problems, but every time is not fasting time.

Fasting loses significance if it is known by others. Fasting loses significance when we get used to the fast and no longer feel the self-denial as a denial. Fasting loses significance if it is not mutual. Fasting loses significance if it is for an endless period. Fasting must be scheduled once in a while when its impact can be felt. Every time is not fasting time!

We should pray without ceasing. But fasting is for a limited period of time. We can set a day for worship, but the rest of the days we must work hard Exodus 20:8-9. Fasting should once in a while be designed to reignite our relationship with God and raise us to Him. Every time is not fasting time!

Sometimes we feast and celebrate. Sometimes we praise God for what He has done. Sometimes we worship through giving. Sometimes we fast and pray. Every time is not fasting time!

See to it that your life has all seasons. Count your blessings and praise God. Worship in various ways. Sing praises to God. Then as the need arises you can fast. Every time is not fasting time!

Dear God, give us all the good seasons in our life so that we do not end up being in a permanent fasting mode. Whenever we fast, hear us and answer us, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

NOTE: We have a powerful short video presentation on fasting and the now popular Intermittent fasting. Find it on Rei Kesis Channel on YouTube. You can also get the video by clicking the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9vALmG6nc

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