fasting by casting out devil

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M

Miri

Guest
#21
I believe fasting in the bible, did mean a food fast, I don’t think there would have
been any other kind back then.

Its not going hungry that is powerful, going hungry just means you starve!
Thats why fasts without seeking God are pointless. You would be better to eat and
seek God, rather than not eat and go about your normal daily business ignoring God.

Its the motive behind the fast that is powerful. It’s saying hey God this is so serious,
I give up physical bread so I can concentrate on the bread of life!

The bible makes it clear we are in a spiritual battle, the armies of the Lord can be
mobilised to fight on our behalf.

In my opinion, prayer and fasting can disrupt the activities of the demonic.
It can open a person up to spiritually prepare them for things God wants to show them and
be a time of blessing and knowledge.
It can move God to act, as it shows God we are serious - think of the story of the persistent
widow.

I don’t think we can ever really understand the full power of prayer.
Fasting is also an additional powerful weapon at our disposal.

I realise there may be some who can’t fast due to health issues. Spending a day with God
without fasting is just as beneficial.

Incidentally there is growing evidence that fasting once in a while is physically good for
the body too.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#22
We read in Matthew where the disciples were trying to cast out the devil out of a child and they could not cure him and then Christ said in Mt. 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

What a strange statement that Christ has made here, he not only mentions prayer but fasting what in the world does fasting have to do with casting out the devil ? Is not fasting usually associated with that of not eating food for a period of time and yet some would even say that it gets us closer to God. But again how does this have to do with casting the devil out by fasting. The answer lies in Is. 58:5-7

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

This is the fast that Christ has in mind, in that is he is saying that we are to share the gospel to the unsaved who are under the control and dominion of the devil / satan. It is the word of God that will set us free from the tyranny of the devil.

Amen If I could add .

When looking at the query in respect to the parable found in Mathew 17:21. The person who began this thread had the right idea search out the spiritual meaning hid from the lost, the evil generation.

Its what parable do... hide from one ….reveal to another

Mt. 17:21 Howbeit this kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Who other than those who do not walk by faith after the unseen things of God that somehow or other think not eating or eating certain foods could affect the spiritual world. The things that do enter our mouths enter our stomach they come out as draught they cannot enter our heart or souls.

Like the author of this thread
offered .Isaiah 58 helps give the spiritual understanding hid in that parable.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to
loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isiah 58:6

Filled with metaphors.

What other than the gospel key as that in which the gates of hell could never
prevail against could loosen the bands of wickedness?

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isiah 58:7

How else could we offer our daily bread as the will of God (the gospel) to those who hunger for the righteousness of Christ. Those poor that spiritually bankrupt are welcomed in freely with no cost on their own behalf. And when they see one naked and not clothed with the righteousness of Christ. We pray as we offer the gospel (prayer and fasting) Hoping God will apply it to their hearts and that we work in the same way from family members not hiding those responsibilities giving them a double portion.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
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#23
How does abstaining from physical food going to help you in a spiritual warfare ?
Because it humbles the spirit through the bond it has to the body. It gives you control over yourself physically and kinda strenghtens and purifys you in many ways.
When you fast you loosen bonds some spirits may have in you and at the same time gives you authority over them also in others.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,213
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#24
Actually I am curious Carl what do you mean when you say casting out devils? Are talking about demons like how people reference addictions or sins as demons or are you talking about actual demonic spirits? Because the things of the spirit can be dangerous and fasting alone is not going to help you in actual spiritual warfare. I don't know if you have been in spiritual warfare or not but it's not just praying away things it can be very dangerous, if one opens a door they were not meant to open then it can be very hazardous.

People don't really understand what spiritual warfare can entail if you attempt to do so when you are not prepared it can have a devastating effect, and if you open a door that God did not call you to open then it may very hard to close it again.
 

carl11

Senior Member
Oct 20, 2017
277
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#25
Actually I am curious Carl what do you mean when you say casting out devils? Are talking about demons like how people reference addictions or sins as demons or are you talking about actual demonic spirits? Because the things of the spirit can be dangerous and fasting alone is not going to help you in actual spiritual warfare. I don't know if you have been in spiritual warfare or not but it's not just praying away things it can be very dangerous, if one opens a door they were not meant to open then it can be very hazardous.

People don't really understand what spiritual warfare can entail if you attempt to do so when you are not prepared it can have a devastating effect, and if you open a door that God did not call you to open then it may very hard to close it again.
I'm talking about demonic spirits, likewise the fasting that I'm showing is not a physical fasting by abstaining from food but rather the fasting that is in view is a spiritual fasting namely that of the Gospel.

Mrk. 2:20
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The fasting that is in view here with that of Mrk. 2:20 is not that of a physical fasting but rather spiritual which is depicting about brining the gospel.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
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Germany
#26
Its to humble our souls
Psalm 69:10

When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.

Isaiah 58:5-6
"Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD? 6"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?...
..


Its also a Telegram to put things before the Lords throne
Ezra 8:23

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
..
Disciplining your body

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
..
And for spiritual deliverance...
Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

And Jesus said when you fast..not if you fast

Matthew 6:16

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#27
The fasting that is in view here with that of Mrk. 2:20 is not that of a physical fasting but rather spiritual which is depicting about brining the gospel.
How in world can bringing the Gospel be "fasting" when the Gospel is presented as a Gospel Feast?

You had better give up this vain attempt to change the meaning of Scripture (which I had hoped you had done by now).