#BibleBreakDown - True Fasting

Hello and welcome back to another edition of #BibleBreakDown. Today we are going to discuss the topic of true fasting as stated in the bible. 

Lets Go!

ISAIAH 58 

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 True Fasting

"...The truth is that the same time as you fast, you pursue your own interest and oppress your workers. Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers..."

 

This scripture will speak to a lot of christian around the world who have be brought up with the ideology that, because Jesus lasted in the desert for 40 day and 40 nights, we must fast similarly for God to answer us. Well this scripture contradicts this belief quiet evidently. If you have fasted out of the goodness of your heart you know that going without food - suppressing your natural instinct to eat and drink - is not a pleasant experience.

We get grumpy, tired and prone to quarreling about futile things. Away from cultural preferences on how we think should serve God Isaish 58:6 tells us explicitly:

"...This kind of fasting I want is this:

remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice and let the oppressed go free..." 

Focusing on the underlined metaphors above, Isaiah commands us to remove the spiritual and subconscious chains we put on ourselves. In the same way that theses two cattle and restricted physically in their range of movement by yoke and chains, Christians are spiritual in bondage by sin, therefore through only doing good acts and praying can God free us to do his will.*

*And please remember yes we are saved by God's grace but we can be still be in bondage due to our sinful and unrighteous ways which come easily when being human. Don't get it twisted.

Moving on. I want you to reflect on this for a moment. Its quiet deep. As chapter 58 goes on to explain, fasting in its purest form is for example giving to the poor, clothing them; basically taking care of the less fortunate in our communities(Christian or not). Doing this often can be deemed more of a challenge than simply going without food and drink, however there is know crown without a cross right. "And remember, when your fast this way as Isaiah 58:9 states "...I will answer you. When you call I will respond."

Amen.

Share the word with someone you know will benefit from this. Thanks.

Anthony. .