Our greatest example of fasting is Jesus. He was "driven" into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. There he fasted, as Moses did, (Exodus 34:28) for forty days. He was in communion with his Father and his mission to the world was about to begin. In preparation for that and in finding strength in God, he fasted. God miraculously kept Moses and Jesus alive during this long period of fasting.
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." Luke 4:1,2
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Matthew 4:1
Jesus was required to go through a period of temptation. His days of fasting and prayer prepared him for the temptations. We are not tempted to do what we do not want to do; we are tempted by what we would like to do.
Satan came in person to tempt Jesus. He began with telling Jesus to make the stones into bread so he could satisfy his hunger. "The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Matt. 4:3 He tempted him to despair of his Father's goodness, and to distrust his Father's care concerning him.
"If you are..." Satan said. He tempted Jesus not only by hunger but by pride. "Go ahead and prove you are the Son of God."
Jesus fought Satan with Scripture, which is how we should fight him. Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" He would trust in God to feed him as human beings must do. We cannot make stones into bread. Jesus can, but he won't do it because he came as a man to live how we must live - trusting in God alone.
"Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Matthew 4:6
Now Satan uses Scripture to attack Jesus. This happens even today with people using verses in the Bible to excuse their hatred and evil - for they leave out all the other verses that would give a wider understanding.
This was tempting to Jesus because if he threw himself down from the top of the temple, everyone would see the angels save him. There were always many people and priests at the temple. This would prove to them that he was the Messiah. This would be an easy way and perhaps avoid the cross.
"Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:7. In other words, don't do something stupid and expect God to save you. There is no place in the Bible that tells us to risk our life to prove we are believers.
" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Matthew 4:8,9 Now Satan offers Jesus the easy way, leaving out the cross altogether. Jesus need not suffer. He need not be whipped and beaten. He could have the whole world if he would just worship Satan.
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Jesus knew Satan was a liar. Also, it must have been repulsive to him to think of worshiping Satan. Still, it must have been tempting to not have to suffer.
Jesus got the total victory over Satan. Satan has an easier time with us. TD Jakes says that the preparation of fasting and prayer is what gave Jesus the strength he needed. I know we cannot do what is right without having God in our hearts; and I do believe fasting and prayer makes a huge difference in how God can work through us.
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