The Dangers of Fasting

Isaiah 58 spells out the intent and purposes of fasting:

1) to loose the bands of wickedness ;

2) to let the oppressed go free;

3) to break every yoke of bondage.

With such a purpose, it seems that   biblical fasting is a challenging invitation to the demons and fallen angels in the enemy’s camp in a David and Goliath type wrestling match where, like  Moses, we command  “let God’s  people go, devil!”

In the era of the New Testament, the weapon is neither the rod of Moses or David’s slingshot.  Rather it is faith in the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ accompanied by the authority to command spirits in His name.

The Pharisees of  the Lord Jesus’ day did not fast for the deliverance of others. Religious hypocrites are often proud of their fasting ritual.  Pride itself is dangerous because God resists the proud. Consequently, fasting can also be dangerous when it is motivated by hypocrisy.  The hypocrite will   put on an outward show of piety and self- righteousness with a fast to prove himself “special.”. In Jesus’ day, the religious would make themselves look sad and put on an act for people to see. Jesus condemned this. Instead, He told those who were fasting to wash their faces and smile. Ritualism consists of fasting as a religious practice but without our heart fully engaged in it as a means to break the enemy’s power.  Ritualism of this kind can engender an altered state of consciousness. an open doorway to demonic infiltration.

 Yet another  danger is fanaticism or extremism. I was once married to an extreme fasting  fanatic who was possessed by this practice.  Hoping to live to at least 100, he died in his 50’s.

What I DO now is that there can be a real danger in it. . In fact, no one should fast unless the Holy Ghost actually  puts you on one. When He does, you will have no desire to eat or do other things.  Also, you may or you may not know the reason for the fast.

Fasting opens you up to the spirit realm, weakening the flesh to strengthen the spirit. The bottom line is that fasting   is an invitation to the devil.

 Remember how the Lord was driven into the wilderness?  His fast was not just about enduring temptation. With His 40 day fast, Jesus actually challenged the enemy to confront Him. Consider that the Lord’s fast.  He did not hunger until after the tension built into the conflict was over.  (Matt 4:2) Consequently, true fasting is not a result of a believer’s choice to not eat food or drink water. Jesus was led to His fast and through His fast by the Holy Ghost.  A fast led by God is a struggle  with the enemy over the bondage of another, where the needs of the body are overshadowed by the urgency of the battle.  In such a fast, the dominance of the spirit over the hunger and thirst of the body causes the fasted person to lose all desire for food and drink.  Hunger and thirst returns when the conflict is over.

Jesus didn’t eat or drink because He had no appetite or thirst.  Then, Satan came.When the fast was over, the Lord hungered. That is how you know a fast is over. You hunger.

So if the purpose of your fast is to try to force God’s hand, you are in trouble. Evil spirits will respond, pretending to be God. A fast of this kind  often comes out of the impatience of the soul. We have been waiting, we have become irritable, which is NOT a good spiritual start for ANYTHING. We ought not to set a fast unless God calls for it Himself. If you are hungry,  struggling “to turn your plate down”  that is a sure sign that God did not call for it. Pentecostals have already opened the door to demons with a lot of their practices, particularly tarrying. So fasting just opens them even further.

Remember when Jesus told His disciples that they could not cast out a particular demon because they had not fasted?  Clearly,  this is yet another spiritual clue of  a connection of  fasting to dealing with evil spirits. Pentecostals took that out of context and created a place for it in “deliverance ministry.”Rather than casting out demons, they have ignorantly been calling FOR them with their numerous fasting rituals.

 I have cast out several demons without fasting. If I need to fast, I simply lose my appetite and I go into prayer.

If you need deliverance, DO NOT FAST!!!! Instead, call 518-477-5759.

Tags: fasting, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Religion and Spirituality, religious demons