Your wisdom and knowledge is limited if you're not fasting

The New Testament quickly points out how to appear to others during fasting. In fact, fasting ought to be a personal event and should only be broadcast to others during our fasting times if it is someone who is fasting along with us regarding an agreement for a particular thing or person.

"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 unseen Father; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" Matthew 6:16-18.

Well, based on the above scripture, there is indeed a reward for a genuine fast. Nevertheless, your reward can be limited if you attempt to make your fasting period publicized. In fact, scripture clearly says that those who look distressed during their fasting have received their reward in full. Simply put, their reward would be the compliments and accolades given them during the broadcasting of their fast, as to how disciplined they are, how much they love the Lord, their commitment to the Lord, etc. However, as far as the actual result of fasting is concerned, such as breaking yokes, undoing heavy burdens, setting the oppressed free, etc., this will never be manifested in that person's life.

Instead, we are admonished to make fasting a private matter between ourselves and God. In fact, we are told to refresh our outward appearance and not even give any remote sign of fasting to others. Scripture goes on to say that God, who is invisible, will observe the fasting that is done in secret but will reward us openly. I am convinced, speaking from experience, that one of the rewards God gives us begins with a burst of wisdom and clarity.

Isaiah 58:10 says, "Then shall your light rise in the darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday." Light in this text symbolizes knowledge and wisdom, while darkness indicates ignorance. So, according to scripture, a fast will cause your knowledge and wisdom to elevate in you, dispelling the ignorance that once overwhelmed you. In other words, be in expectation to know and learn things that you did not know before, either after or even during your fasting.

It didn't end there; it said your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday. The word obscurity is defined as something or someone that is not clear or plain, ambiguous, vague, or uncertain. Simply put, it needs to be clarified. Gloom, on the other hand, is defined as total or partial darkness dimness. Before I proceed any further, Isaiah, the prophet speaking to the people of God, suggests that a born-again Believer can be lacking in knowledge, confused, and, in the worst-case scenario, consumed by ignorance. However, he has simultaneously provided the remedy for the born-again believer who thinks they have it all together. That is to enter a genuine fast to stimulate, replenish, restore, or impart much-needed spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Therefore, a fast will cause your once obscurity and gloom to be dissolved and your wisdom and understanding to come forth.

The most frightening and challenging part concerning all of this is that there are Christians who have never done a fast in their entire Christian walk, and even worse, some of them preach to you............. No matter how one views it, a fast should be a fundamental discipline in the life of every Christian if it is that Christian's intent to be current and, more importantly, relevant as it relates to the things of God and, indeed, the things of the spirit. True fasting is designed to advance you and provide breakthroughs that everyday prayer would not achieve.

I can assure you this: show me a Christian who does not partake in the exercise of fasting, and I will show you a confused, lost, and misguided believer with little if any Godly manifestations in their life.

Written By: Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com