Nesteia
The Geek word for fasting, Nesteia means to abstain. The Hebrew word for fasting means “to cover the mouth.”
If you are struggling in your relationship with God, in prayer, in a certain situation, just with life in general, I want to encourage you to fast.
Matthew 6:16-18 says this, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, 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 men 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.”
Luke 5:33 also says, “They said to him, John’s disciples often fast and pray and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”
Fasting can look differently and you can fast from things other than food obviously such as facebook, TV shows, phone, etc.. but I am specifically talking about fasting from food.
When you fast, you are saying “No!” to your flesh. One day of fasting will result in more self control, discipline, and focus to many areas in your life. This self control will also transfer into your greatest struggles. You will be able to continue saying no to your flesh in many other ways as well. When you are telling your flesh no, your reliance on God becomes great. He will reward you. The Spirit will be so alive in you and your physical hunger will go away while your spiritual hunger for God will increase. When you sacrifice comfort for your body, it is tough. But God calls us to live a life outside of comfort. I encourage you to pray about fasting once a week. You will see very quickly God blessing your life by this. You are blessing Him too. You will feel so close to Him and reliant on Him. When you fast an important aspect if not the most important, is to PRAY. I usually will have one thing or one person I focus on praying about for the whole day. I feel closer to God now more than ever because of fasting. I honestly do not look forward to fasting, but I’m always so glad when I do because the Lord teaches me so much. Some people might say, and I have said this before too , “If my heart isn’t in it, isn’t it a waste?” The answer is no. It would not be called a sacrifice if you wanted to give it up. The definition of sacrifice is to surrender or to give up something desirable. If you are giving up something that you want you are sacrificing! please, say no to your flesh..
