One of Jesus’ key teachings is that we should not do good things to be noticed by men. If we’re doing a good thing, our motive should be to please God. Matt. 26:16-18 tells us to fast discreetly to minimize our struggle with mixed motives.
So when I talk about my fasting in this blog, does that put me at odds with Scripture? It would, if this were a private fast, but it is the kind of extended, public fast that the Bible talks about a lot.
Isaiah 58 is one of the best chapters on fasting. God has Isaiah calling His people to a lifestyle of fasting, and He tells Isaiah that the call is issued in a very public way. He begins the chapter, “Shout it aloud; do not hold back.”
While the early church often committed itself to corporate prayer and fasting (for examples, look at chapters 13 and 14), the modern church prefers pot-luck dinners.
When you’re engaging in difficult, counter-culture behavior, you need encouragement. You need to know that you’re not a flake, or a legalist. A fast may be the right thing to do, something we’re called to do, but it feels like death. So, we need to share some of our struggles with one another in order to stay the course.
I think accountability and intercessory are a huge roll on more long term fasting too. If it is as simple as one day fast, well, this is easy. However, longer more intense fasting can be a struggle. I always inform my accountability group when I am doing a long fast. I know that they will encourage me, keep me amenable (“the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak”- Matthew 26:41), and more importantly, they intercede for my needs and me.
LOVE the Isaiah 58 outline!!!