Taking Action in Fasting: Starving the Flesh to Feed the Soul

Is your hunger for God greater than your craving for your favorite meal? Fasting is more than just skipping lunch; it is a spiritual requirement for those who want to move in power and authority. Drawing from the courage of Queen Esther and the teachings of Jentezen Franklin, this blog explores how "Taking Action in Fasting" unclutters the soul, sharpens our spiritual ears, and prepares us to stand firm in the last days.

C. Atkinson

6/20/20243 min read

“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” — Esther 4:15-16 (NLT)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me! Let us lift up praises to the King of Kings. Saints, I thank God for you always. I hope you are enjoying your week and continuing to keep Jesus at the very center of your life.

We serve an amazing God who promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). However, there is a daily wrestling match within us. Our flesh is naturally hostile toward God; it doesn't want to submit to His law because it simply cannot (Romans 8:7-8). To overcome this, we must utilize the spiritual weapons of prayer and fasting.

What is Biblical Fasting?

In his book Fasting, Jentezen Franklin defines biblical fasting as "refraining from food for a spiritual purpose." It is not a diet; it is a discipline. Just as our physical bodies need food to function, our souls require spiritual nourishment to truly live. Fasting shifts our hunger away from the temporary and toward the eternal.

Greater Than a Craving

We all have favorite foods. For me, it’s a crispy platter of calamari with marinara sauce. When we satisfy a natural craving, we feel a temporary sense of contentment. But my prayer for us is that our hunger for God would eventually exceed our physical desire for food.

"Taking Action in Fasting" means refusing to be satisfied with immediate, physical results. It’s about pursuing a deeper walk with the Lord. When we eliminate food for a set time, our spirits become "uncluttered" by the world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. I remember my first fast—I was so focused on the clock, just waiting for it to end so I could eat! But fasting shouldn't be a source of anxiety. It should be an exciting time of expectation, knowing you are building a closer bond with your Creator.

Following the Master’s Example

After Jesus fasted for 40 days, He was tempted by the enemy. His response was our blueprint: “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). When we meditate on the Word day and night, we become like trees planted by the riverbank—fruitful, unwithering, and prosperous in the Spirit (Psalm 1:3).

Notice that in Matthew 6:16, Jesus says, “When you fast,” not "if." He expects His followers to fast. It is a requirement for spiritual growth. Fasting allows us to "decrease" so that He can "increase" within us. It teaches us that we are not ruled by our appetites or emotions, but by the Spirit of God. As Paul the Apostle famously said, it is in our weakness that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:10).

The Esther Alarm

In our focus scripture, Queen Esther "sounded the alarm." She didn't just ask for a favor; she demanded a fast. She knew that to break the law and risk her life before the king, she needed a spiritual breakthrough that only fasting could provide.

What is most striking is that the Jewish community didn't question her. They knew exactly what to do because fasting was a normal part of their relationship with God. They took action, and as a result, a nation was saved.

Let us be encouraged by Esther’s faith. Let "Taking Action in Fasting" become a normal, powerful routine in our lives. When we starve the flesh, we feed the spirit—and that is where the victory is won.