In the forty days of Jesus' fast in Luke 4 we are told that "he ate nothing" and that "he was hungry". Satan tempted Him to eat. That seems to indicate that Jesus was abstaining from food but not water. This is usually what is involved in a fast, that is abstaining from food but drinking water.
There are several examples of an "absolute fast" where people abstain from food and water. All of those situations appear to be a desperate measure of dire emergency. For example Ester instructed in Ester 4:16 "G, gather all the Jews......and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do." Ester had been informed that an edict had been declared by the King to have all the Jews exterminated on a particular day. She was going to approach the King and ask him to repeal his edict. Ester knew that if her request displeased the King, that her life could certainly be in jeopardy. So she requested to have all the people engage in an "absolute fast" for 3 days to seek the intervention of God in the situation.
The human body cannot go without water much more than three days. Moses and Elijah did absolute fasts of forty days that must be considered supernatural. I would caution you that the absolute fast is the exception, and should never be attempted unless you have an absolute very clear command from God, and unless is it absolutely clear to you that God wants you to do otherwise, do not go beyond three days.
Most fasting will involve abstaining from food but continuing to drink water.
I also want to offer a practical word of caution to those who have health issues.
If you take medications that will burn a whole in your stomach if you do not eat food, I would caution you not to totally abstain from food. For you a fast may be a reduction in food intake as opposed to totally doing without food. During your "semi-fast"eat enough food to get you out of the danger zone for stomach problems that your medication would cause if you took them on an empty stomach. But eat no more than what would be required to get you out of that danger zone.
If you have diabetes or some other health issue that causes you to have to pay special attention to your diet, exercise great caution in regards to totally abstaining from food.
It may be wise to consult your physician about fasting if you have extenuating medical issues. It may give you the opportunity to have an interesting spiritual dialogue with your doctor. Imagine having this conversation with your doctor:
"Doctor, I don't know if I ever mentioned it to you before or not, but I am a Christian. I am really sensing a drawing from God lately to develop more intimacy with Him. The bible teaches Christians that fasting is a way to do that. However, I also want to consider practical matters before starting a fast. Now Doc, you know the medications that I am taking. You know my health issues. How much food would I need to consume if I wanted to cut my consumption to the absolute minimum without putting myself in danger physically?"
Think about the witness that would be to your physician if he or she is not a believer!!!
Now by all means, if you have a clear command from God to fast, and you absolutely know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have heard His voice......then far be it from me to give you any advice that would cause you to disobey God. If it is not that clear to you that you are hearing from God on it, I urge you to take the advice that I have offered on this blog post if you are an individual with health issues that need to be considered before entering a fast.
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