But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8
Fasting to remain undefiled
Every year in January, Jack and I fast for 21 days using Daniels model for fasting. I have done this for so long that I can’t remember when I started. The first three days are terrible! The body goes through a detoxification. I get headaches, body aches, hunger pangs…the whole body cries out in resistance as toxins vacate the premises!
The beauty of fasting is that I have always left those times feeling stronger spiritually. The Lord has been faithful to show me something specific every single time I have laid aside food to focus on the Lord.
I would like to submit that when fasting for spiritual depth, you also gain the health benefits from abstaining from food. A true fast is abstaining from food. You can cut back on electronic use or shut your TV down for the time you are fasting but fasting TV or social media is not really a true fast.
Daniel was carried off into Babylon as a captive. The king of Babylon wanted Daniel and his friends to be educated in the Babylonian ways and that included eating the king’s food. This was a true test for Daniel. His lifestyle did not allow for the rich foods of the king. The Bible says that Daniel “resolved that he would not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)
He made a request, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (vs 12)
At the end of 10 days, it was noticed that Daniel and his friends looked better in appearance than all of those that ate the king’s food! (vs 15)
Daniel fought to remain undefiled in a culture that worshiped other gods and ate foods that he did not eat. Fasting purifies the body, puts us in tune with the Holy Spirit and takes our minds off worldly pleasures. Todays culture surely reflects Babylon with all of its false gods and worldly enticements. As you fast, ask the Lord to cleanse every part of you so that you can remain undefiled. You will come out of the fast looking better, feeling better and stronger in Christ!
Autumn Nims
