Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual and Physical Breakthrough

In today's message, I delved into the profound spiritual discipline of fasting, exploring its transformative power both spiritually and physically. Over the past year, I've been on a personal journey of understanding fasting, culminating in the release of my book, "Feasting and Fasting: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why." This journey has revealed to me that fasting is not just a spiritual exercise but a pathway to breakthrough, a means to humble ourselves, seek God, and turn from sin. It is a discipline that strips away the superficial, revealing what truly controls us.

Fasting, as I shared, is a physical response to a spiritual problem. It ignites a hunger for God, silences the voice of the flesh, and provides direction. In our modern world, where addictions are rampant, fasting serves as a tool to starve the flesh and break the chains of bondage. It is a practice deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, exemplified by figures like Daniel, Moses, and Jesus. Fasting is not about earning God's love, which is already given through Christ, but about positioning ourselves to receive His favor and blessings.

Moreover, fasting has significant physical benefits. It allows the body to heal itself by switching its fuel source from glucose to ketones, promoting a cleaner, more efficient energy system. This process not only aids in physical health but also enhances spiritual clarity and focus. The discipline of fasting teaches us to master our bodies rather than be mastered by them, aligning our physical and spiritual lives in obedience to God.

In conclusion, fasting is a call to stewardship of our bodies, a call to align our physical habits with our spiritual convictions. It is a journey of self-discipline, a fight against the cultural norms that lead to spiritual and physical decay. As we embrace fasting, we open ourselves to the breakthroughs God desires for us, both in our personal lives and in our communities.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Fasting as a Pathway to Breakthrough: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that reveals what controls us and positions us for breakthroughs. It humbles us, aligns us with God's will, and is a physical response to spiritual problems. By fasting, we seek God earnestly, turning from sin and seeking His face. [03:47]
• 2. The Interconnection of Spiritual and Physical Health: Our spiritual practices, like fasting, have profound effects on our physical health. When we fast, we ignite a hunger for God and silence the voice of the flesh, which in turn affects our physical well-being. This interconnectedness highlights the importance of aligning our spiritual and physical lives. [05:31]
• 3. Fasting as a Tool for Spiritual Warfare: Fasting applies pressure to the spiritual realm, aiding in spiritual warfare. It is a means to contend against the demonic forces that seek to hinder our spiritual growth. By fasting, we apply constant pressure, seeking God's intervention and breakthrough. [18:40]
• 4. The Physical Benefits of Fasting: Fasting allows the body to switch its fuel source, promoting healing and efficiency. It is not about starving but about allowing the body to heal itself by burning stored fat and cleansing itself from toxins. This process enhances both physical health and spiritual clarity. [24:57]
• 5. Stewardship of the Body: Fasting is a call to steward our bodies well, aligning our physical habits with our spiritual convictions. It challenges us to master our bodies, not allowing them to master us, and to make choices that promote life and health. This stewardship is an act of obedience and worship to God. [41:30]
  ** [41:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - Introduction to Fasting
• [01:05] - Spiritual Discipline and Control
• [02:15] - Health and Stewardship
• [02:56] - Definition of Breakthrough
• [03:32] - Biblical Examples of Fasting
• [04:18] - Breaking Routine for Change
• [05:02] - Spiritual and Physical Benefits
• [06:27] - Fasting as a Physical Response
• [07:46] - Starving the Flesh
• [08:32] - God's Love and Favor
• [09:52] - The Role of Food
• [11:10] - Jesus and Fasting
• [12:21] - Starving Unhealthy Desires
• [13:51] - Body as Servant, Not Master
• [15:42] - Practical Steps for Fasting

1. Matthew 6:16-18 - "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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."
2. Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
3. Daniel 10:2-3 - "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."

1. According to the sermon, how does fasting serve as a physical response to a spiritual problem? ([06:27])
2. What are some biblical examples of fasting mentioned in the sermon, and what outcomes did they lead to? ([03:12])
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between fasting and spiritual warfare? ([18:40])
4. What physical benefits of fasting are highlighted in the sermon, and how do they relate to spiritual clarity? ([24:57])

1. How does fasting help reveal what controls us, and why is this important for spiritual growth? ([01:05])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fasting can lead to spiritual breakthroughs? How does this align with the biblical examples provided? ([03:47])
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of stewardship of the body in relation to fasting, and why is this considered an act of obedience and worship? ([41:30])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical health, and how does fasting play a role in this? ([05:31])

1. Reflect on a time when you felt controlled by a physical desire or habit. How might fasting help you address this issue and seek spiritual clarity? ([01:05])
2. Consider the biblical examples of fasting mentioned in the sermon. How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practices to seek a breakthrough in a specific area of your life? ([03:12])
3. The sermon discusses fasting as a tool for spiritual warfare. What spiritual battles are you currently facing, and how might fasting help you contend against them? ([18:40])
4. How can you align your physical habits with your spiritual convictions through fasting? What specific changes can you make to better steward your body as an act of worship? ([41:30])
5. The sermon highlights the physical benefits of fasting, such as improved health and spiritual clarity. How can you incorporate fasting into your routine to experience these benefits? ([24:57])
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the importance of breaking routine for change. What routines in your life might be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can fasting help you break free from them? ([04:18])
7. How can you ensure that your fasting is focused on seeking God and not merely a physical exercise? What steps can you take to maintain a spiritual focus during a fast? ([08:32])