Spiritual Fasting & The Demolition of Strongholds
For thousands of years religions worldwide have used the discipline of spiritual fasting as a means to pound on the doors of heaven for breakthrough. The concept is that fasting weakens the body and allows the spirit to become more awake and in control-therefore allowing it to receive God’s power and direction.
Flesh Domination
Overall, spiritual fasting centers on putting aside the domination of the flesh in favor of the spirit which, in essence, is the true source of power that can solve the problem or situation being fasted for. Christ himself, the Scriptures say, was filled with the Holy Spirit in the River Jordan and then led to the desert where he fasted for 40 days and came face-to-face with Satan (Matthew Chapters 3 & 4).
Whether you believe this to be literal or not is irrelevant. I respect whatever your belief may be, and wish to use this passage primarily as an example of spiritual fasting and its results.
Bible scholars indicate that Christ had to first confront every human weakness BEFORE being ready for his ministry, before becoming the suitable representative for the entire human race. It could only be done through fasting… imagine that! During the desert fast, Satan offered Christ food, riches and godhood (Matthew 4).
Reality is the Unseen
In every case Christ alluded to the Word of God, indicating with his refusal that there was, in essence, a higher and “more real” reality than the three dimensional cravings and desires we experience as human beings. This required fasting. We are not told of Christ drinking water during his time in the desert. If he did not, then that particular fast was supernatural and