WHAT IS FASTING AND THE BENEFITS OF FASTING?

Fasting refers to willingly abstaining from a particular thing (usually food) for a reason for some time.

Generally fasting is not only a spiritual activity. People fast for different reasons. It could be for health reasons, personal development, weight loss, etc.

The purpose for your fast determines how you fast.

For Christians, fasting is a period of consecration where you intentionally deny yourself of the gratification you get from food or any other thing and focus on seeking the face of God.

In the bible, the concept of fasting originated in the Old Testament.

The first mention of someone fasting from food is in Exodus 34:28 where Moses was on the mountain with God for forty days and went without food and water.

Fasting is biblical and holds numerous benefits for everyone especially the beliver.

In another post, we will share the benefits of fasting with you.

But we want to charge you to stay committed to fasting especially in this first months of the year.

It is important to start the year strongly especially from your spiritual life. Do not be relaxed or cold spiritually especially not now.

It is not too late to begin if you have not joined in yet. You are still at liberty to start fasting now and seeking the face of God.

Stay connected to this website for more articles on fasting and other edifying content to help you stay connected to God as you fast.

THE BENEFITS OF FASTING

Fasting holds numerous benefits for everyone especially for the believer.

If you have ever wondered, “what are the benefits of fasting?”, this article will answer your question.

Understanding the great benefits that are embedded in fasting will help encourage you to continue and to do it rightly.

We have shared what fasting is about above, we encourage you to read them and educate yourself about the fasting experience. This will help you fast with more intentionality.

THE BENEFITS OF FASTING

1. SPIRIT RULES AND FLESH DECREASES

Whatever you feed grows. When you feed your flesh, it gets more strengthened and grows and will rule you. Man is spirit, that has a mind, and lives in a body.

God does not expect you to be ruled by your body because it is only a vessel. It is His design that you are ruled by the spirit.

When you fast, you starve your flesh and feed your spirit man through prayers and Bible study. Your spirit grows and has dominion over your flesh.

Join today’s:  RCCG 50 DAYS PRAYERS AND FASTING GUIDE 17 JANUARY 2023

2. IT MINIMIZES DISTRACTIONS

The flashy and enticing things of this world are very distracting and many times, we can’t let go of them because they seem too good and important.

Unfortunately when we hold on to these things, we let go of more important things (things of eternal value like our relationship with God and our time with Him).

When we get lost in the noise of th world, our spirit man is weakened and flesh is excited, and well fed. Fasting helps you block out the noise and focus on the things that actually matter.

3. IT HEIGHTENS DISCERNMENT

Fasting helps eradicate obscurity and confusion from your life. The distractions in the world obstruct your accurate connectivity to God so you are unable to precisely discern the will of God.

These distractions are like disturbing waves that you hear when a radio is not properly tuned to the right station. Discernment becomes difficult and mechanical.

Fasting helps you break off these disturbances. It quiets your spirit and makes you hear what God is saying per time.

Join today’s:  29 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FASTING

4. STOPS IDOLATORY

Worship of idols is not restricted to bowing before physical images alone.

In our world today, many things have become idols for people. People eat unhealthy amounts of food or become obsessed with it to the point where their belly becomes their god.

Others are addicted to their phones and prioritize it over their Bibles and prayers.

Baal and Dagon as we see in the bible days may not be the gods people are serving in our time but there are a host of other gods.

Anything that controls you has become your idol. It can be your TV, junk food, fashion, accessories, clothes, etc. Fasting helps you get rid yourself of these idols and focus on God.

5. CONSECRATION

Our life can get busy for legitimate reasons and we are unable to dedicate special times of devotion and consecration to God.

Declaring fast is an avenue for you to consecrate yourself and open up your heart to receive from God.

6. IT HELPS YOUR HEALTH

Apart from the spiritual benefits of fasting, there are also health benefits.

Every time you fast from food, you give your body and organs some time away From being stuffed with food.

Your body rests and has time to recharge. Your skin also benefits from it.

And for many people, their concentration is better once they have overcome the initial stage of struggling with the fast. You will also feel lighter and lose unhealthy weight.

7 ANSWERED PRAYERS

Fasting makes prayers more efficacious. Jesus Christ taught that certain challenges can not be surmounted without fasting and prayers.

When you fast, you have access to a greater range of possibilities and answered prayers.

These benefits of fasting should encourage you to continue fasting regardless of how challenging it is.

Remember, you do not have to fast from food or for extended periods if you are pregnant or have a health challenge.

Did you find this post helpful?, let us know in the comment section.

Catch up on Impactful Articles like this, Bible verses, daily devotionals, prayers, declarations and messages on our website (rccgonline.org) God bless you.