Make It Real June 2010

Question: What should I do when my pastor tells our entire church to fast for forty days? I have a difficult time fasting, and after participating year after year I do not see any real breakthroughs. Is it a sin to refuse to fast when a pastor requires everyone to participate?

Answer: The New Testament five-fold leadership has a very different role in the life of a born again believer than the priesthood of the Old Testament. With the doctrines of man being merged into true biblical doctrine in much of the teaching today, it is no wonder that leaders are going beyond biblical parameters in their requests. Everyone needs to study the Word of God to be approved and to know the acceptable will of God. To study the scriptures, I recommend that you read the gospels and base your belief system on the teachings of Jesus and on what His life demonstrates. Add to the revelations from the gospels (all of this must be Holy Spirit led and revealed) the teachings from the epistles. You will find teaching to reveal how to respond to every situation. The Holy Spirit will personalize the Word and give very specific instructions for your life. The Word of God declares that we can ask for wisdom and expect to receive the wisdom needed from God.

Take a few moments and read Matthew chapter six. You will find specific instruction on New Testament fasting. In verse 16 you will read:

And when you fast, do not be as the hypocrites, with sullen face, for they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men as to be fasting. Truly I say to you that they have their reward.

But you in fasting, anoint your head and wash your face, so as not to appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father in secret. And your Father seeing in secret will repay you in the open. (The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, Sovereign Grace Publishers)

This is the instruction concerning fasting that Jesus gives in the gospels.

The heart condition is always vital in all of our spiritual activities. If you fast because the entire church is fasting or to please the leadership, then truly you are fasting to be seen by men. 

The above scripture causes one to question a corporate New Testament fast. If we are to fast so that only God knows of our activity, then would the Holy Spirit instruct a pastor to call a fast corporately? The priest of the Old Testament would follow the instruction of the prophets who would hear God for the people. Sometimes the priest would call a fast because they were desperate to find favor with God. However, Jesus made a way for every believer to hear the Lord. The Holy Spirit is sent into every heart that believes and confesses Jesus is Lord.

I do believe that a leader may feel the need to seek the Lord corporately for direction and breakthrough. Personally I would suggest that they ask the people to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and pray and fast as Spirit directed. Making time available for prayer meetings in your church and setting time aside for hearing the Lord corporately could be beneficial to any congregation. However, I believe an extended fast needs to be Spirit led. God’s grace is needed to complete a fast and find the answers one is seeking. I personally know of extended fasts that people felt obligated to participate in that were detrimental to their health. As leaders, we need to encourage people to hear the Holy Spirit and obey Him. We are not to take the place of God in the life of His people.

Many people feel like failures when they do not have the grace to complete a fast. God does not move because of our sacrifices. He will move on our behalf as we just obey Him. I prefer to be a God pleaser and not a man pleaser. This can cause persecution but it will produce the fruit of righteousness in your life. I have favor with God and I hear His voice because I obey the Holy Spirit. I encourage everyone to reevaluate your spiritual walk and make sure that you are submitted to the Headship of Christ.