Women of the Bible Lesson 15 Jael: A Story of Courage Part 13 Spiritual Weapons

2 Corinthians 10:4-6, “For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.” (AMPC)    

We will continue looking at the spiritual weapon of fasting. To recap, fasting is demonstrated throughout the Bible. Fasting brings many benefits for believers, including, causing our flesh to submit to our spirit, bringing revelation, and leading to deliverance.    

Today we will focus on some of the reasons (purposes) believers fast today. Bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, but I want us to begin thinking about why we need to fast today. 

“Whatever the purpose, fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food—it is the act of separating yourself exclusively to God. It is the deliberate pushing of everything aside—subduing the flesh—and giving Him your full attention. This allows your spirit man to dominate, and your spiritual ears will be wide open.”i  Fasting changes us not God!!! 

First, we fast to strengthen prayer. Ezra 8:23, “So we fasted and sought [help from] our God concerning this [matter], and He heard our plea.” (AMP) As we stated last week, fasting shifts our focus from us to God. When we fast and pray about a situation or issue, we or someone else is facing, we can focus our prayer more strategically, spending the time necessary to see the breakthrough.  

Remember last week's example of Daniel. He prayed and fasted for 21 days before his answer reached him. Daniel 10:12-13, “Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.’” (NLT) 

If we meet the requirements for answered prayer (see previous blogs), our answer is always dispatched when we pray, however, we, like Daniel, might need to push through in prayer until the answer arrives or we feel a release from God to stop praying and begin thanking Him for the answer.   

Second, to seek God’s guidance. Judges 20:26-27a, “Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. The Israelites went up seeking direction from the Lord.” (NLT) 

When we need to hear directions from the Lord, fasting will help.  Fasting opens our spiritual ears and tunes our hearts to better hear from God.  By removing other things that tend to hold our attention and fill our ears with noise, we can more clearly hear the voice of the Father speaking, giving us clear direction! 

I enjoy watching TV in the evenings while I work on crochet projects.  Last week while I was studying on fasting, I heard the Father say, “You cannot hear my voice if you always have other things playing in the background.”  I realized that while I long to hear from God, I must be intentional to open the door through fasting entertainment for Him to speak.  I’ve been fasting entertainment for over a week and my spiritual ears are more attuned to His voice.  

Thirdly, to seek deliverance and protection. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.” (NLT) 

When we are caught in the middle of a battle or situation that is beyond our control and understanding, fasting is of great benefit. Things are moving and shifting in the spiritual realm all the time. Battles are being fought, messages are being delivered, and demons are being vanquished, however, for most believers this all happens unknown and unseen by us. Fasting opens our spiritual eyes to see what is going on in the spiritual realm.   

To continue, we can fast to express repentance and turn to God.  1 Samuel 7:6, “So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord.” (NLT) 

Jonah 3:5, “The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.” (NLT) 

When we are seeking to live a holy life, if we ask, God will reveal areas in our lives that do not line up with His desire for us.  These could be areas of sin, or maybe areas of compromise or complacency.  After God reveals something and we repent, it can be helpful to fast and pray. Remember that one facet of fasting is digging into the Word.  The Word is full passages that can help us overcome sin.  Focusing our reading and studying on these scriptures during our fast allows Holy Spirit to teach and strengthen our spirits.  

Philippians 2:13, “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” (AMP) 

Fifth, we can fast to humble ourselves before God. 1 Kings 21:27-29, “But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning. 

Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.’” (NLT) 

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (ESV) 

2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (ESV) 

Next, we can fast to express concern for the work of God.  Nehemiah 1:3-4, They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (NLT) 

Acts 13:2-3, One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. (NLT) 

Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (NLT) 

Finally, we fast to express our love and worship to God. Luke 2:36-37, Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 

As we have already discussed, fasting postures our spirits to focus on God.  As we fast from the distractions of the flesh, food, entertainment, social media, etc., we can begin to focus on worshiping and expressing our deep love for God.  Anna, gave herself to prayer, fasting, and worshiping God 24/7.  For the average person today, that is not possible, however, we can set aside specific times to fast, and we can worship and pray without ceasing! 

In conclusion, we fast for a variety of reasons, to strengthen prayer, seek guidance, seek deliverance and protection, to express repentance, to humble ourselves before God, to in concern for the work of the Lord, and to express love and worship to God.  However, not matter why we fast, fasting always changes us, it does not change God! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!!! 

I will conclude with some quotes about fasting:  

We fast because we have tasted and seen the goodness and are desperately hungry for more of Him. —David Mathis 

Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food. —Dallas Willard 

We don’t fast to earn something; we fast to make a connection with our supernatural God, We are cleaning out the “pipe” that connects us to the anointing of God. - Mahesh Chavda 

Works Cited: 

i https://blog.kcm.org/3-rewards-fasting/