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Feasting and Fasting - What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
Through fasting, the body becomes a servant instead of a master. When Jesus directs us to do something, the outcome is always beneficial, both spiritually and physically. He said, “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Scripture doesn’t say, “When you sin and if you fast,” but rather, “If you sin and when you fast.” The obvious goal and benefit of fasting is spiritual, but the physical benefits as well. Can you pray and seek God better with a headache, tight pants, and a sluggish, lethargic body strung out on your favorite addictive substance? Of course not. But keep in mind that fasting is not about self reliance but reliance on God. However, when the flesh is restrained, anxiety, fear, unbelief, doubt, lust, jealousy, bitterness, and anger are also minimized.
What you put in your mouth (body) and the mind (soul) affects the spirit—and when you feed the spirit, it affects the body and the soul. I’m often asked to pray for panic attacks, angry outbursts, and anxiety. That can be done, and God honors prayer, but are we opening the door by not halting highly addictive caffeine, sugar, opioid, or nicotine habits. Are we renewing our mind by meditating on the Word and spending time in prayer? The physical affects the spiritual, and vice versa. We also know that many emotions such as anger, bitterness, and jealousy are toxic to the body.
Much of the healing that I have witnessed over the years was the result of good, or renewed stewardship of the body. Health also involves healthy emotions. Having a forgiving, loving, joy-filled heart does wonders for the body. Serotonin, for example, is increased when the heart is right. This crucial chemical impacts our mood at a very deep level, and contributes to an overall state of well-being. Serotonin is also affected by diet and exercise. But again, I’m not suggesting that health replace God and prayer, but that it compliment it. . .that we steward the gift of health. No one is perfect, but we are called to discipline our bodies and use wisdom. God does heal miraculously, even in our ignorance, but that shouldn’t cause us to neglect our health.
With more than 12 million U.S. children being obese and millions more being malnourished, the need to address this topic has never been greater—caffeine, soft drinks, and junk food are fueling the disease epidemic. We pray for God to heal rather than for help with self-discipline to change harmful habits. What’s wrong with this picture? “There are multitudes of diseases which have their origin in fullness, and might have their end in fasting” (James Morrison).
What you put in your mouth (body) and the mind (soul) affects the spirit—and when you feed the spirit, it affects the body and the soul. I’m often asked to pray for panic attacks, angry outbursts, and anxiety. That can be done, and God honors prayer, but are we opening the door by not halting highly addictive caffeine, sugar, opioid, or nicotine habits. Are we renewing our mind by meditating on the Word and spending time in prayer? The physical affects the spiritual, and vice versa. We also know that many emotions such as anger, bitterness, and jealousy are toxic to the body.
Much of the healing that I have witnessed over the years was the result of good, or renewed stewardship of the body. Health also involves healthy emotions. Having a forgiving, loving, joy-filled heart does wonders for the body. Serotonin, for example, is increased when the heart is right. This crucial chemical impacts our mood at a very deep level, and contributes to an overall state of well-being. Serotonin is also affected by diet and exercise. But again, I’m not suggesting that health replace God and prayer, but that it compliment it. . .that we steward the gift of health. No one is perfect, but we are called to discipline our bodies and use wisdom. God does heal miraculously, even in our ignorance, but that shouldn’t cause us to neglect our health.
With more than 12 million U.S. children being obese and millions more being malnourished, the need to address this topic has never been greater—caffeine, soft drinks, and junk food are fueling the disease epidemic. We pray for God to heal rather than for help with self-discipline to change harmful habits. What’s wrong with this picture? “There are multitudes of diseases which have their origin in fullness, and might have their end in fasting” (James Morrison).
- GenresChristian
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
78 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 8, 2020
Encouraging, balanced and helpful view on Fasting
I found this book very helpful and the author annotated his quotes and information. His transparency regarding his own journey and types of fasts made this seem more doable. The goal of drawing closer to God as the primary reason gives one the perspective that will stand the tests of fads and time.
I found this book very helpful and the author annotated his quotes and information. His transparency regarding his own journey and types of fasts made this seem more doable. The goal of drawing closer to God as the primary reason gives one the perspective that will stand the tests of fads and time.
August 17, 2020
God provides our health
We should allow our bodies to be temples for God, that is the overall premise of this book. God created our bodies to care for itself through fasting (letting our body recuperate and repair). Filled with both scientific and biblical principles Idleman takes both his work in healthy exercise and pastoring into a solid presentation.
We should allow our bodies to be temples for God, that is the overall premise of this book. God created our bodies to care for itself through fasting (letting our body recuperate and repair). Filled with both scientific and biblical principles Idleman takes both his work in healthy exercise and pastoring into a solid presentation.
September 24, 2023
Great book
This was a great book about understanding fasting from a biblical perspective which I really liked and all the information that he laid out was very helpful.
The book is well written and easy to understand with references to other books for further studies on the topic of fasting.
This was a great book about understanding fasting from a biblical perspective which I really liked and all the information that he laid out was very helpful.
The book is well written and easy to understand with references to other books for further studies on the topic of fasting.
January 4, 2021
Fasting
I have heard so much about fasting and now with the knowledge and scripture references I have hope. I have been abusing my body for so long, it is refreshing to know one can conquer this problem with prayer, willpower and work. I now have the good for success.
I have heard so much about fasting and now with the knowledge and scripture references I have hope. I have been abusing my body for so long, it is refreshing to know one can conquer this problem with prayer, willpower and work. I now have the good for success.
February 21, 2024
“Most choices lead either to the filling of the Spirit or to quenching and grieving Him.”
“Fasting does not motivate God to love me more, but I find that I love Him more. Fasting prepares the heart. God “acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isa. 64:4 NIV). Do you need God to act? Wait on Him through prayer and fasting. “
“Remember, food either gives life or feeds disease.“
I’m a huge fan of Shane Idleman and his sermons on spiritual fasting/eating to glorify God are some of the best. Idleman has a background in nutrition and fitness as well as years in ministry so he has a unique voice in the theological world. I will say that I came to this book mainly to hear more of his thoughts on spiritual fasting but came away convicted and challenged not only about fasting, but how my diet is or isn’t glorifying to God and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Idleman spends the book alternating between speaking about spiritual fasting and speaking about how our American diet is killing our spiritual lives. Both parts of the book were incredibly powerful and impactful. I found myself thinking on it days after I finished it and have been reevaluating these areas of my life. It’s a short but powerful book that I highly recommend for all believers.
“Fasting does not motivate God to love me more, but I find that I love Him more. Fasting prepares the heart. God “acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isa. 64:4 NIV). Do you need God to act? Wait on Him through prayer and fasting. “
“Remember, food either gives life or feeds disease.“
I’m a huge fan of Shane Idleman and his sermons on spiritual fasting/eating to glorify God are some of the best. Idleman has a background in nutrition and fitness as well as years in ministry so he has a unique voice in the theological world. I will say that I came to this book mainly to hear more of his thoughts on spiritual fasting but came away convicted and challenged not only about fasting, but how my diet is or isn’t glorifying to God and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Idleman spends the book alternating between speaking about spiritual fasting and speaking about how our American diet is killing our spiritual lives. Both parts of the book were incredibly powerful and impactful. I found myself thinking on it days after I finished it and have been reevaluating these areas of my life. It’s a short but powerful book that I highly recommend for all believers.
January 20, 2025
So clear and encouraging
I love how Shane builds a lifestyle but encourages one to stay flexible when needed. I love how he breaks down the importance of fasting to our spirit and physical.
I love how Shane builds a lifestyle but encourages one to stay flexible when needed. I love how he breaks down the importance of fasting to our spirit and physical.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews