The Significance Of Fasting In Spiritual Warfare: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Fasting is a deeply spiritual practice rooted in the Torah and the Tanakh, and it was affirmed and practiced by Yeshua Himself. For Messianic Jewish believers, fasting is not just an act of self-denial but a powerful tool for spiritual warfare. It aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, breaks down spiritual barriers, and strengthens our connection with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). This chapter explores the significance of fasting in spiritual warfare, drawing on examples from Scripture and the teachings of Yeshua.
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1. Fasting as a Command in Torah Law
In the Torah, fasting is closely tied to repentance, humility, and seeking God’s presence. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is the clearest example of this:
Leviticus 16:29-31 (NKJV)
"This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all… For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD."
The phrase “afflict your souls” refers to fasting and self-denial. On Yom Kippur, fasting became a communal act of repentance and submission to God. It was not just about abstaining from food but about humbling oneself before the Creator and seeking restoration.
For spiritual warfare, this principle of humbling ourselves through fasting remains vital. It acknowledges God as the source of our strength and aligns us with His will, which is the foundation of victory in any battle.
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2. Fasting in the Tanakh: A Weapon of Deliverance
Fasting was often used in the Tanakh as a means of seeking divine intervention during times of crisis. It was a call to repentance and a way to engage in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness.
Esther: Interceding for the Nation
When Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people, Queen Esther called for a fast to seek God’s protection and deliverance.
Esther 4:16 (NKJV)
"Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish."
Through fasting and prayer, Esther and the Jewish community aligned their hearts with God and witnessed a miraculous deliverance. This event underscores the power of fasting to break through spiritual strongholds and release divine intervention.
Jehoshaphat: A Nation United in Fasting
When Judah faced an overwhelming enemy, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast.
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (NKJV)
"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD."
Through their fasting and prayer, God assured Judah that the battle belonged to Him. This teaches us that fasting shifts the focus from our own strength to God’s power, enabling us to overcome spiritual battles.
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3. Yeshua’s Example: Fasting and Spiritual Strength
Before beginning His ministry, Yeshua fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness. This time of fasting prepared Him for the spiritual battles ahead and demonstrated the strength that comes from complete reliance on God.
Matthew 4:1-2 (NKJV)
"Then Yeshua was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry."
During His fast, Yeshua resisted the temptations of the adversary by standing on the Word of God. His example shows that fasting strengthens our spiritual resolve, sharpens our focus, and equips us to resist the enemy.
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4. The Role of Yeshua’s Blood in Fasting
Fasting is not a way to earn God’s favor but a response to the grace we have already received through Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice. His blood has already won the victory, but fasting reminds us of that truth and deepens our reliance on Him.
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
As we fast, we remember that the battle has already been won through Yeshua. Fasting allows us to claim that victory in our lives and align our hearts with His redemptive work.
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5. The Ruach HaKodesh and the Fast God Desires
True fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is about seeking God’s will and allowing the Ruach HaKodesh to transform our hearts. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes the kind of fasting that pleases God:
Isaiah 58:6-7 (NKJV)
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Fasting in spiritual warfare is not merely about personal breakthrough but about partnering with God to bring freedom, healing, and justice.
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6. Practical Steps for Fasting in Spiritual Warfare
1. Set a Clear Purpose
Before you begin a fast, determine the reason for your fast. Are you seeking God’s guidance, interceding for someone, or battling a specific stronghold?
2. Combine Fasting with Prayer
Fasting without prayer is merely dieting. Use the time you would spend eating to pray, meditate on Scripture, and listen to God’s voice.
3. Trust in God’s Strength
Fasting can be physically challenging, but it is an opportunity to rely on God’s strength.
Psalm 73:26 (NKJV)
"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
4. Be Spirit-Led
Let the Ruach HaKodesh guide you in how and when to fast. Not every fast must be total abstinence from food; partial fasts or abstaining from other things can also be powerful.
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Conclusion: The Power of Fasting in Warfare
Fasting is a sacred act of submission, a declaration that we trust in God above all else. As Messianic Jewish believers, we can draw on the rich heritage of fasting from the Torah and Tanakh and follow the example of Yeshua to engage in spiritual warfare effectively.
Through fasting, we humble ourselves before God, break spiritual strongholds, and align with His purposes. May we embrace this powerful weapon as we stand firm in the battles of modern times, trusting in the strength and victory of the God of Israel.
Psalm 35:13 (NKJV)
"I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart."