Is Fasting Just for Monks?
Acts 13:1-3
Introduction””For many, when the issue of fasting is mentioned, images of religious zealots come to mind. Since before the time of Christ, different religions have practiced monasticism where fasting and prayer and solitude play a prominent role in the life of the monks. On Slide 1, a modern-day Buddhist monk follows the monastic ways of his religion, dating back to 2500 B.C.
Slide 2:
Christian monasticism inaugurated by hermit St. Anthony of Egypt in 305, when he organized ascetic hermits in primitive monastic communities, was continued by Anthony’s disciple, Pachomius, who introduced communal monastic life. Between 358-364, St. Basil drew up the rule that still governs Christian religious communities, including the Orthodox Church. Both monks and nuns are required to take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and to devote their lives to prayer and work. The goal of this way of life is the achievement of personal salvation or union with God through a continual spiritual battle with temptation.
Slide 3: This monk is Roman Catholic and I”™m considering becoming part of his monastery””you”™ll notice I already have the haircut! The reason I”™d like to, at least, visit this monk is found on the next slide (Slide 4)””this is where he lives.
Don Whitney (Prof. at SBTS): “When we think with balance we realize that it would be neither right nor desirable to be cloistered from our God-given responsibilities involving other people. Biblical reality calls us to family, fellowship, evangelism, and ministry for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. And yet through the Holy Spirit, “deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7) in such a way that there is a part of our spirit that craves silence and solitude.
Many of us need to realize the addiction we have to noise. It’s one thing to turn on the TV, tape, or radio to listen to while ironing or doing other chores, but it’s another thing habitually to turn one of these on immediately upon entering a room just to have sound. Even worse is to feel that it’s necessary to have background noise during Bible intake or prayer. I believe the convenience of sound has contributed to the spiritual shallowness of contemporary western Christianity. The advent of affordable, portable sound systems, for instance, has been a mixed blessing. The negative side is that now we don’t have to go anywhere without human voices. As a result we are less frequently alone with our own thoughts and God’s voice. Because of this, and because we are the most urban, noise-polluted generation ever, we have an unprecedented need to learn the Disciplines of silence and solitude.”
FASTING . . .
1. Is For the Church NOW
Puritan theologian, John Owen, said of our solitudes, “What we are in them, that we are indeed, and no more. They are either the best or the worst of our times, wherein the principle that is predominant in us will show and act itself.”
Matthew 9:14-15; 6:16a
2. CAN Be Done CORPORATELY
Matthew 6:16-18
3. Fasting CAN Be An
Occasion of SPECIAL GUIDANCE
The worship of God does not always require words, sounds, or actions. Sometimes worship consists of a God-focused stillness and hush. Scriptural precedent for this includes texts like Habakkuk 2:20: “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him,” Zephaniah 1:7: “Be silent before the Lord God!”, and Zechariah 2:13, “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord.” It’s not just a silence that’s enjoined, but a silence “before Him,” “before the Lord God!”, “before the Lord.” That’s the silence of worship. There are times to speak to God and there are times simply to behold and adore Him in silence.
Acts 2:1-4
Matthew 4:1ff””Even Jesus Himself fasted to prepare for His 3-year ministry!
4. Fasting CAN
Change the Course of History
WARNING!
Fasting Is . . .
NOT a Magic Formula
*God WILL remain Sovereign!
*Fasting without purity/obedience is in vain!