Untitled article by F. W. Morse

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · July 23, 1867

FASTING.

By F. W. Morse

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Pet. v, 6. Very prominent among the means to bring about this glorious end, is the Bible duty of fasting. Our Lord clearly intimates that the time would come when his disciples should fast, and he taught that it did not consist in formal sanctimony. Matt. vi, 16. The Pharisees never had a divine warrant for disfiguring themselves, and coming before God with disregard to neatness; Ex. xix, 10; also the following from “Facts of Faith,” Vol. iii, p. 263. “Those who worship God with unclean garments and persons do not come before him in an acceptable manner. He is not pleased with their lack of reverence for him, and he will not accept the service of filthy worshipers, for they insult their Maker. The Creator of the heavens and of the earth considered cleanliness of so much importance that he said, “And let them wash their clothes.”

Our Saviour gives a divine authority to fasting as a means of grace, and teaches what kind of fasting would be acceptable with God. He points to the future and says, “Then shall they fast.” Matt. ii, 20.

Accordingly we find Paul “in fastings often,” 1 Cor. xi, 27, approving himself as God’s minister, “in labors, in watchings, in fastings.” Thus we have gospel precept and gospel example, for this ancient custom of those holy men who “obtained a good report through faith.”

But Paul gives this inspired charge, “Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” 1 Cor. x, 31, also chap. vi, 9–20. It could never be to the glory of God that we should take such a course in fasting as to damage our system. In ordinary cases, entire abstinence from nourishing food, would impair our strength and energy. There is no Bible example of such fasting, except in the case of a direct miracle. Three instances of this kind are found upon record. Moses, Elijah, and our Redeemer. In all fasting, except that which is miraculous, we have direct Bible example in reference to taking food. See Dan. x, 3. A day of fasting is also called a day of restraint. Joel i, 14. This term throws some light upon the nature of the sacred institution. We are to restrain, keep back all animal lusts, doing all that lies in the range of our performance to bring the entire nature under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. Bodily conditions have a great influence upon the mind. God is a friend to all his children, and knows just how to direct them to do everything the best way. The divine purpose in regard to fasting seems to be that we may engage in holy meditation, study of the Scriptures, and confession of our sins. We are to restrain from all physical labor, care and anxiety, and work zealously in self-examination, and sanctifying ourselves to God. In doing this a laboring man should make a corresponding change in taking food: if he does not, physical inactivity will bring mental dullness, a stupor of the faculties, under a cloudiness of mind, that will effectually hide the sun of God’s love and mercy from his view. There is a special importance attached to humble self-examination at the present time. We are in the day of God’s preparation. Nahum iii, 3. If we move in concert with interested Heaven, we shall manifest great vigilance and activity, exhibiting holy fervor and devotion, laying hold upon all the blessings and privileges that are to be enjoyed by the remnant people of God.

F. W. MORSE.

Deerfield, Minn., July 4, 1867.