How to Build Yourself Up Through Daily Study of the Word of God and Fasting
"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." — Acts 20:32
Every believer is either growing or standing still. There is no neutral ground in the Christian life. Your body grows strong on the food you eat, and your inner man grows strong on the Word you take in. A Christian who does not feed on the Word will be weak, easily defeated, and quick to give in to fear, temptation and discouragement.
God has not left us to grow by chance. He has given us His Word to build us up, and He has given us fasting and prayers to subdue our flesh and sharpen our hunger for Him. When you combine the two, spiritual growth speeds up.
This article looks at why the Word builds you up, how to study it every day, and how to feed on it during times of fasting.
The Word Is Able to Build You Up
Paul's last words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:32 point to the Word of God's grace as the thing "able to build you up." Not your feelings, not your circumstances, and not even your gifts, but the Word.
Scripture describes the Word as our spiritual food:
It is our daily bread. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
It makes us grow. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
It is alive and powerful. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
It equips us fully. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
It builds faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).
Jude also tells us to take responsibility for our own growth: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 1:20). Notice the words "building up yourselves." Your pastor can teach you and your church can support you, but no one can eat for you. Building yourself up is your own daily assignment.
Why You Need The Study of the Word of God Every Day
The Bereans were called noble "in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11). They didn't just search it on Sundays. They searched it every day.
Israel gathered manna each morning in the wilderness, and yesterday's manna could not feed them today (Exodus 16:19–21). In the same way, yesterday's revelation cannot carry you through today's battles. Daily time in the Word:
Keeps you from sin. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).
Gives you direction. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Makes you fruitful and stable. The one who meditates on God's law day and night "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:2–3).
Brings good success. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night... for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).
How to Build Yourself Up Through Daily Study of the Word
1. Set a Fixed Time and Place
What you don't schedule, you'll struggle to keep. Jesus often withdrew to be alone with the Father, "rising up a great while before day" (Mark 1:35). Pick a time when your mind is fresh, whether early morning, lunchtime or evening, and guard it like an important appointment. It is one.
2. Begin With Prayer
Before you open your Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit "shall teach you all things" (John 14:26). The Author of the Book is your best Teacher.
3. Follow a Plan
Random reading often leads to shallow reading. Follow a plan: read through a book of the Bible chapter by chapter, use a one-year Bible plan, or study a theme such as faith, prayer or the Holy Spirit. A new believer can start with the Gospel of John, then Acts, Romans and Ephesians.
4. Study, Don't Just Read
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). As you read, ask:
What does this passage say?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it reveal about me in Christ?
Is there a promise to believe, a command to obey or a warning to heed?
Compare scripture with scripture. Use cross-references, a concordance or a good study Bible, and read the verses before and after to understand the context.
5. Meditate on It
Meditation means turning a verse over in your mind, speaking it quietly to yourself, and thinking deeply about it until it becomes part of you. Joshua was told to meditate "day and night." Take one verse from your morning reading and carry it with you through the day.
6. Memorise Scripture
When Jesus was tempted, He didn't reach for a scroll. The Word was already in Him, and He answered, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Memorise one verse a week, write it on a card, put it on your phone's lock screen, and repeat it until it sticks.
7. Speak the Word Over Your Life
Faith comes by hearing, and one of the voices you hear most is your own. Declare what God says about you: "I am the righteousness of God in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:21). "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). "No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17).
8. Write Down What God Shows You
Keep a journal of the scriptures you study, the lessons you learn and the prayers God answers. Over time, it becomes a record of God's faithfulness and a treasure you can go back to in hard seasons.
9. Do What the Word Says
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). Growth happens when truth moves from your head into your actions. Jesus compared the one who hears and obeys to a wise man who built his house on a rock that stood firm in the storm (Matthew 7:24–25).
10. Let the Word Dwell in You Richly
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16). Share what you learn, discuss the Word with other believers, and sing it in worship. The more you give it out, the deeper it takes root in you.
Why Fasting and the Word Belong Together
Fasting is not a hunger strike to force God's hand, and it doesn't earn His love. We already have that through Christ. Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God (Psalm 35:13), quieting the demands of the flesh, and turning our full attention to Him. Jesus expected His followers to fast. He said "when ye fast," not "if ye fast" (Matthew 6:16).
Scripture shows again and again that fasting and the Word work together:
Jesus fasted and answered with the Word. After forty days of fasting, He defeated the devil three times with "It is written" (Matthew 4:1–11). He then "returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee" (Luke 4:14).
Daniel's fasting was stirred by the Word. Daniel "understood by books" what Jeremiah had prophesied, and then he set his face "to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting" (Daniel 9:2–3).
Israel fasted and read the Word. In Nehemiah's day the people gathered with fasting, and "read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God" (Nehemiah 9:1–3).
The early church heard God while fasting. "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2).
When you set aside food, your spiritual appetite often grows sharper. Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). Fasting is a chance to live out that verse, trading physical food for spiritual food.
How to Feast on the Word While Fasting
1. Go In With a Purpose and a Plan
Before you begin, ask God why you're fasting. It might be for direction, a breakthrough, deeper intimacy with Him, or victory over a stubborn habit. Then choose scriptures that fit your purpose. A fast without the Word can quickly become just skipping meals.
2. Replace Mealtimes With Word Times
Use the time you would normally spend eating to read, study and pray. If you usually spend thirty minutes at lunch, spend those thirty minutes with your Bible instead.
3. Read Longer Portions
Fasting is a good time to read whole books of the Bible in one sitting, such as Ephesians, Philippians, James, or the Gospel of John. Reading a book at once helps you see the full message.
4. Pray the Scriptures
Turn what you read into prayer. If you read Ephesians 1:17–18, pray, "Father, give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and open the eyes of my understanding." Praying God's Word back to Him keeps your prayers in line with His will (1 John 5:14–15).
5. Surround Yourself With the Word
Listen to an audio Bible or sound teachings while you work or travel. Cut back on social media, entertainment and idle talk during your fast. Protect your ears and eyes so your spirit stays tuned to God.
6. Keep Your Heart Right
God rejects fasting that is only for show or that goes along with strife and oppression (Isaiah 58:3–5). Jesus said to fast in secret and not to put on a sad face to impress people (Matthew 6:16–18). The fast God honours is one that loosens bands of wickedness, feeds the hungry and helps the needy (Isaiah 58:6–7). Let the Word search your heart, and deal with anything it shows you.
7. Record What God Says
Fasting often brings clearer insight. Keep your journal close and write down every scripture that stands out, every instruction, and every impression the Holy Spirit gives you, then test it against the Word.
8. End Your Fast With Thanksgiving
Close your fast with praise, thanking God for what He has done and what He will do. Hold on to the Word you received and keep acting on it after the fast ends.
In the Downloads section, you will find a Bible Study Guide you can download for free called 365-Day Bible Study Guide: Reading Through the Whole Bible in One Year. Download it here
A Sample 7-Day Word and Fasting Plan
Day 1: Who you are in Christ. Ephesians 1–2, 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
Day 2: Faith. Hebrews 11, Romans 4:17–21, Mark 11:22–24
Day 3: Prayer. Matthew 6:5–18, Luke 11:1–13, James 5:13–18
Day 4: The Holy Spirit. John 14–16, Acts 2
Day 5: Victory over the enemy. Ephesians 6:10–18, Romans 8:31–39, 1 John 4:4
Day 6: Healing and provision. Psalm 103, Isaiah 53, Philippians 4:6–19
Day 7: Purpose and destiny. Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11–13
A Word of Wisdom About Fasting
Fasting should be done wisely. If you're new to it, start with a partial fast (skipping one meal, or fasting until noon or 6pm) or a Daniel-style fast of simple foods (Daniel 10:2–3), and build up over time. Drink enough water. If you're pregnant, nursing, diabetic, taking medication, or have any health condition, talk to your doctor before fasting. You can also fast from other things, such as television or social media, and give that time to the Word.
Signs You Are Being Built Up
As you stay in the Word daily and add fasting, you'll begin to notice:
Greater hunger for God and His presence
Faith that stands firm when trouble comes
Victory over sins and habits that once controlled you
Clearer direction and discernment
Boldness in prayer and in sharing your faith
Peace that isn't shaken by circumstances
The fruit of the Spirit growing in your character (Galatians 5:22–23)
A Prayer to Begin
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You for Your Word, which is able to build me up. Give me a fresh hunger for Your Word. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in it. Help me to study it daily, to meditate on it day and night, and to do what it says. As I fast and seek Your face, humble my flesh and strengthen my inner man. Let Your Word dwell in me richly, and let my life bear fruit that brings glory to Your Name. Amen.
A Call to Surrender
The Word of God builds up those who belong to God. If you have never given your life to Jesus, the first step isn't a reading plan or a fast. It's surrender. Jesus is the Living Word (John 1:1, 14), and when you receive Him, His Spirit comes to live in you and opens your understanding to the scriptures.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
If you want to surrender to Jesus today and become a true child of God, pray the Salvation Prayer here.
If you prayed that prayer for the first time, we would love to hear from you. Email us at newlife@lovefaithandmiracles.com
About the Author
Edikan Uko is the Editor at LoveFaithandMiracles.com and a regular contributor to Rooted Daily: A Daily Devotional. Edikan writes on faith, prayer, spiritual growth and practical Christian living, helping believers grow deeper in their walk with Jesus.
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