FASTING: (A SIMPLE EXPLANATION AND GUIDE) CHAPTER 4

8th Jul '24 - 14th Jul '24

1. A disciple had said to you the reason why he wants to fast is so
that he can cast out demons. This notion originated from his
understanding of Mark 9:28-29. As a Bible student, explain to him
clearly how to correct his thinking.

The believer has Jesus’s instructions and lifestyle as a template for living.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world. Amen.

Upon his resurrection, he gave his disciples an instructions to which we

follow till this day.

Paul elaborated on this.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Same also Peter.

1Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We are as he is.

Jesus also taught his disciples prayer, he taught them because he himself
was a man of prayer.

Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of
Olives; and his disciples also followed him. Vs 40 And when he was at the
place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Vs 41
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled
down, and prayed,
The phrase "as he was wont" implies he had a custom of going to a
secluded place to pray.

Mathew 14:23 When He had done this, he climbed the hill to pray in
solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and
prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wi... Vs 42 He went away again the
second time, and prayed, saying. O my Father, if this cup may not pass
away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mark 1:35 In the morning He rose early, while it was sill quite dark, and
leaving the house He went away to a solitary place and there prayed.
(Weymouth New Testament)

Mark 6:46 He then bade the people farewell, and went away up the hill to
pray. (Weymouth New Testament)

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also
had been baptized and was praying, the sky opened, (Weymouth New
Testament)

Luke 5:16 but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and
there prayed. (Weymouth New Testament)

Luke 6:12 About that time He went out on one occasion into the hill
country to pray; and He remained all night in prayer to God. (Weymouth
New Testament)

We see he had a culture of prayer, this same culture of prayer is the

basis of him teaching his disciples how to pray.

He also taught his disciples on how to pray and the purpose of praying.
In essence, we see prayer both as a precept and example in the life of
Jesus and also in his apostles' lives.

Mark 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him
privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This
kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

The same account was recorded by Matthew.

Matt 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to
him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have
mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he
falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy
disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said,
O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how
long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the
devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very
hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not
we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye
shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus’s response to the man problem needs further interrogation.

The word “faithless” is the greek word “apistos” and it implies lacking
faith.

The word “perverse” is the greek word “diastrepho” it implies that

which is corrupt or to turn away.

The word “generation” is the greek word “genea” which implies an age,
time.

After Jesus casted out the devil, in verse 19 they asked him why couldn't
they? His response was Because of your unbelief. This is key, its key to
understand he answered that question, his next statement elucidates the
answer to the question, hence, he begins teaching on faith. His teaching
on faith was prompted because they couldn’t cast out that devil even
though they had casted out demons in the earlier chapters.

In Matthew 10 and Luke 10 he gave them authority over demons.

Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave
them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the
twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the
son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them
power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent
them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even
the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Evidently, Jesus gave his authority to his disciples who cast out demons.

Also in the book of Acts demons were cast out and yet fasting wasn’t a
requirement, they did it based on the authority of Jesus.

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those
things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were
possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame,
were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel

possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried,
saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew
unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul,
being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name
of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Back to Matthew 17

Jesus explains their unbelief as the reason for the inability of casting out
the devil, this shows us a vital lesson that the believer’s authority can be
handicapped by the recipient’s unbelief.

Jesus’s teaching on faith is consistent in the synoptic.

Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he

hungered. Vs 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it,
and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit
grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered
away. Vs 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How
soon is the fig tree withered away! Vs 21 Jesus answered and said unto
them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not
only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be
done. Vs 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive.

Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree
dried up from the roots. Vs 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith
unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered
away. Vs 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Vs
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Vs 24 Therefore I say
unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them, and ye shall have them.

Having seen that Mark 9:28-29 is about unbelief and not that some
demons require prayer and fasting, if one still insists that such is needed
what this invariably means is that the believer’s authority isn’t absolute
over the kingdom of darkness and if its not absolute then Christ sacrifice
by which we have that authority isn’t also !! Hence, it's not possible to
assign demons certain classes of superiority over the believer’s authority
stating that prayer and fasting is required to exercise them.

2. There is a specified duration for fasting. Anything lower than

that is not acceptable. Accept or refute this statement with
adequate explanations from the scriptures.

Having seen that the scriptures are the believers pattern for living, when
it comes to fasting, what does the scripture teach about the duration?

Judged 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up,
and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the
LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and
peace offerings before the LORD.

The text above is the first mention of the word “fasted” in the old
testament books of the bible. The hebrew word is “Tsuwm” its a verb
which implies to cover (the mouth).

In context they fasted and were without food until even and offered
devotions unto the Lord. Two key things are seen here, there were
without food for a period during the day and also they had devotion unto
the Lord.

However, the first action of someone fasting was Moses in Exodus 34:28.

Ex 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he
did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the
words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Moses reiterated the same truth in Deuteronomy.

Deut 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of
stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you,
then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat
bread nor drink water:
18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty
nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins
which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke
him to anger.

He undertook fasting forty days and forty nights twice. However, when
giving instructions to the men of Israel he mentioned they should fast
every tenth day in the seventh month.

Leviticus 16:29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the
seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls,
and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a
stranger that sojourneth among you:
Leviticus 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be
a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall
afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Numbers 29:7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month
an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any
work therein:

Here, the instruction to fast was to be practiced annually, and it was for
a day (on the tenth day of the seventh month).

Daniel also fasted, he fasted for 21 days.

Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no
pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I
anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Esther and the Jews fasted for 3 days and 3 nights

Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan,
and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I
also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king,
which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

David fasted for seven days.

2Sam 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David
fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17 And the elders of
his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he
would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18 And it came to pass on
the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to
tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child
was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our
voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that
the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child
dead? And they said, He is dead.

There are other accounts of fasting in the Old Testament books that have
no length of days specified The Old Testament books of the Bible also
have several other instances where the length of days of "fasting" was
not specified.

Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the
children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and
earth upon them.

Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the
Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Vs 4 So Judah gathered
together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they
came to seek the Lord.

Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we
might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way
for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and
put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Therefore, it suffices to say that fasting doesn’t have a specific day,

Moses fasted forty days and forty night, he instructed the Israelites to
fast once a day yearly, Esther fasted for 3 days and 3 nights etc. This
shows that when it comes to fasting, there are no specific duration, in the
case of a congregational fast the duration is set by the leader; in case of
personal fast its set by the person.

3. Explain the unifying factors in all instances where men fasted

for 40 days and 40 nights?

There are three men who fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the scriptures,
2 occur in the old testament books and one in the new testament books.

Moses

Moses was the first person recorded to fast in the scriptures.

Ex 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he
did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the
words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Moses reiterated the same truth in Deuteronomy.

Deut 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of
stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you,
then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat
bread nor drink water:
18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty
nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins
which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke
him to anger.

He undertook fasting forty days and forty nights twice.

Stephen spoke of this account.

Acts 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and
have not kept it.
Paul also spoke of Moses fasting and receiving the commandments

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;
and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

In context, the mediator was Moses. Hence, we see that during Moses’s
fasting at Mount Sinai, there were Angels involved.

Elijah

1Kings 19:6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the
coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid
him down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second
time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is
too great for thee. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the
strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of
God.

Elijah also had an experience in this manner.

1Kings 19:6-8 shows us that an angel appeared to him with a meal and
he ate and went in the strength of that meal for forty days and forty
nights.

Just like Moses’s encounter, Elijah also had a supernatural encounter

with angels that made his fasting supernatural.

Jesus

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted of the devil. Vs 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was afterward an hungered.

Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. Vs
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and
was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan,
and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Vs 2 Being forty days
tempted of the devil.
And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he
afterward hungered.
In Matthew, Mark and Luke’s account, the writers stated that Jesus
fasted for forty days and forty nights. Another thing consistent in their
accounts is that all the writers expressly stated he was led by the spirit,
in essence it was supernatural.

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and
ministered unto him.

Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of
Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

In both accounts, we see angels involved in this fast of Jesus.

In conclusion we can say the following, there were three men in the
scriptures who fasted 40 days and 40 nights stretch in the scriptures and
they all had angels help them supernaturally during the fast.

4. Your disciples has signified he intends to fast from morning to

12 noon because by that time, he gets very hungry. Admonish him
as his Pastor.

Fasting can be both congregational and personal.

Esther 4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Vs 16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye
for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: 1 also and my
maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not
according to the law: and if I perish, 1 perish. Vs 17 So Mordecai went
his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we
might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us,
and for our little ones, and for all our substance. Vs 22 For I was
ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help
us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king,
saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but
his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. Vs 23 So we
fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Vs 24
Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah,
and ten of their brethren with them,
Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up,
and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the
LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and
peace offerings before the LORD.

Ist Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and
Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. Vs 5 And Samuel said, Gather all
Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. Vs 6 And they
gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before
the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against
the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

These were all instances of congregational fast. In congregational fast,

individuals don’t determine the length or when its to be called off. The
apostles warned about those who don’t submit to the local authority.

2Thess 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that
man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Phil 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I
have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the
enemies of the cross of Christ:

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

2nd Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and
likewise all the men that were with him: Vs12 And they mourned, and
wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for
the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were
fallen by the sword.

The phrase "until even" simply implies that David fasted "till evening."

2nd Samuel 1:12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for
the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. (ESV)

2nd Samuel 1:12 And they mourned and wept, and fasted until evening,
for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for
the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword. (Webster)
2nd Samuel 1:12 and they mourn, and weep, and fast till the evening, for
Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the
house of Israel, because they have fallen by the sword. (YLT)

In the book of Judges, the children of Israel observed a congregational

fast until the evening.

Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up,
and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the
LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and
peace offerings before the LORD.

Evening to us in modern day will be from 4pm - 6pm. This time is seen in
both congregational and personal fast.

Having seen that the bible is our manual and example, a congregational
fast duration and time is determined by the leadership and for personal
fast, this is dependent on the person and in each scenario the fast ends in
the evening