Again, there are no instructions telling the Church to fast. Paul, in writing to the Church at Corinth, makes reference to the fact that he fasted, although he doesn't encourage the Corinthians to fast or give them any direction about it. He says: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:4,5 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
Why Doesn't Paul Tell Us To Fast?
Again, there are no instructions telling the Church to fast. Paul, in writing to the Church at Corinth, makes reference to the fact that he fasted, although he doesn't encourage the Corinthians to fast or give them any direction about it. He says: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:4,5 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. So we know Paul did fast. Yet he didn't tell the Church to fast. Some say, "But don't we need to fast to get power over the devil?" Jesus Himself said in the 17th chapter of Matthew about evil spirits that "this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Yes, He said that. But, you see, Jesus hadn't died yet. When He died and was raised to newness of life, He soundly defeated the devil and all his cohorts. Jesus has whipped the devil! In First Corinthians we're told these powers are dethroned powers, Jesus said, "IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils" (Mark 16:17). You don't have to fast to get the Name of Jesus. Fasting has no part in casting out devils except that it will help you become more sensitive to the Spirit of God. It will help you keep the flesh under. That's why the Epistles don't tell us anything in this area. Jesus said, after He arose from the dead, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). He said to tell the Good News; tell people you're delivered from sin. He's already done it: He's cancelled all our sins, and He has defeated the devil. Remember, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). He was your Substitute. What He did is marked up to your credit. No wonder Paul wouldn't give instructions to the Church on fasting. As an aid to putting the flesh under, fasting has a real purpose; but as to conquering the devil and sin, Jesus has already done it, and we are in Him! In Ephesians, we are told we have been quickened together with Christ: EPHESIANS 2:2-5 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Can you see that? Jesus was our Substitute. In Colossians 2:15 it says He spoiled principalities and powers. Those are the same principalities and powers we wrestle with in Ephesians 6:12—and He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Jesus won a real victory, and we won that victory with Him. So, you have overcome them. The Bible doesn't say, "If you'll fast 14 days you'll overcome them." No, you've got a right to use the Name of Jesus! That Name belongs to you whether you fast or not. And in Jesus' Name you've got a right to exercise authority over demons. Paul, in writing to the Church at Ephesus, said, "Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). He didn't say, "Now if you'll fast for a week or two or fast three or four days ... ." The devil might take over while you are trying to get in a position to do something. He said not to give the devil any place in you. That means he can't take a place unless you let him. James said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). You do it. You'd have to have the authority over him or you couldn't do it! What did Peter say? "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). What are you going to do about it? Resist him! Stand steadfast in the faith.
in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. So we know Paul did fast. Yet he didn't tell the Church to fast. Some say, "But don't we need to fast to get power over the devil?" Jesus Himself said in the 17th chapter of Matthew about evil spirits that "this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Yes, He said that. But, you see, Jesus hadn't died yet. When He died and was raised to newness of life, He soundly defeated the devil and all his cohorts. Jesus has whipped the devil! In First Corinthians we're told these powers are dethroned powers, Jesus said, "IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils" (Mark 16:17). You don't have to fast to get the Name of Jesus. Fasting has no part in casting out devils except that it will help you become more sensitive to the Spirit of God. It will help you keep the flesh under. That's why the Epistles don't tell us anything in this area. Jesus said, after He arose from the dead, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). He said to tell the Good News; tell people you're delivered from sin. He's already done it: He's cancelled all our sins, and He has defeated the devil. Remember, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). He was your Substitute. What He did is marked up to your credit. No wonder Paul wouldn't give instructions to the Church on fasting. As an aid to putting the flesh under, fasting has a real purpose; but as to conquering the devil and sin, Jesus has already done it, and we are in Him! In Ephesians, we are told we have been quickened together with Christ: EPHESIANS 2:2-5 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Can you see that? Jesus was our Substitute. In Colossians 2:15 it says He spoiled principalities and powers. Those are the same principalities and powers we wrestle with in Ephesians 6:12—and He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Jesus won a real victory, and we won that victory with Him. So, you have overcome them. The Bible doesn't say, "If you'll fast 14 days you'll overcome them." No, you've got a right to use the Name of Jesus! That Name belongs to you whether you fast or not. And in Jesus' Name you've got a right to exercise authority over demons. Paul, in writing to the Church at Ephesus, said, "Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). He didn't say, "Now if you'll fast for a week or two or fast three or four days ... ." The devil might take over while you are trying to get in a position to do something. He said not to give the devil any place in you. That means he can't take a place unless you let him. James said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). You do it. You'd have to have the authority over him or you couldn't do it! What did Peter say? "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). What are you going to do about it? Resist him! Stand steadfast in the faith.
COMMENTS