True fasting to follow Jesus
FASTING may be defined as abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance for a certain period of time. It is important to desist from hypocritical fasting spelt out in Isaiah 58 when you decide to repent and follow Christ.
Fasting involves penitence over sin and consequent humility, disconnecting from sin and oppression of others, feeding the hungry and acting humanely toward those in need.
First, there is regular fasting which is done by abstaining from all food, both solid and liquid, except for water. Luke 4:4; to turn the stones into bread, to which Jesus replied, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
Second, there is partial fasting done by Daniel who spent three weeks fasting from certain foods. Daniel 10:3; “I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were . . .”
Daniel was following Christ and not the god of Babylon.
Third, there is absolute fasting, or the full fast, where no food or water is consumed. Murderous Saul encountered Jesus in His glory on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:9; “For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” Immediately following that time of blindness and fasting, Saul began to follow Christ.
Fourth, there is sexual fasting (Exodus 19:15) In consultation according to Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 7:5, that a married couple can mutually agree to abstain from sex for a short period of time in order to devote themselves to prayer.
Fast as you repent and follow Christ.