S3 E5:
Welcome back, troop, to another episode of Renewed Strength — where faith and fitness come together to help you grow stronger, inside and out. I’m really glad you’re here.
This week, I want to talk about fasting — specifically how it shows up in fitness culture. You hear terms like fasted cardio or intermittent fasting thrown around like badges of honor. And while fasting can absolutely be a useful tool, it’s not magic, and it’s not the whole picture.
Jesus reminds us of that in Matthew 4:4, when He says,
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
That verse gives us a bigger framework for understanding fasting — both physically and spiritually.
In fitness, fasting often gets marketed as something advanced. “If you really want results, train fasted.” “If you skip breakfast, your discipline is elite.”
But here’s the truth: not eating alone doesn’t make you stronger.
Intermittent fasting can help some people regulate hunger. Fasted cardio might work for certain goals. But if fasting isn’t paired with wisdom, fueling properly later, managing stress, and listening to your body — it can do more harm than good.
Fasting by itself is just absence.
Growth happens in what you pair it with.
Matthew 4:4 shows us that truth isn’t limited to food. Jesus isn’t dismissing physical needs — He’s expanding the conversation. He’s saying that nourishment is bigger than calories.
And Isaiah 58 drives this point home even further.
God speaks to people who were fasting — technically doing the right thing — but missing the heart behind it. They were going through the motions, yet still living disconnected, harsh, and self-focused.
God tells them, this isn’t the kind of fast I desire.
That’s such an important reminder for us.
You can skip meals and still be impatient.
You can train fasted and still be prideful.
You can call it discipline and still miss transformation.
Fasting — whether physical or spiritual — is meant to create space, not just deprivation.
Space to listen.
Space to realign priorities.
Space to depend on God instead of control.
In fitness, fasting works best when it leads to better awareness — of hunger cues, recovery needs, and limits. Spiritually, fasting works best when it leads to humility, compassion, prayer, and obedience.
Otherwise, it’s just empty effort.
This week, I want you to check your why.
If you’re experimenting with fasting, ask yourself:
What am I pairing this with?
Am I fueling my body well when I do eat?
Am I using this time to grow spiritually — or just trying to feel accomplished?
And spiritually, consider creating space — even if it’s not food-related.
Maybe it’s fasting from noise, distractions, or habits that dull your focus.
Let your fasting point you toward fullness, not just restriction.
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Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay
