Introduction
‘When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’ Matthew 6:16-18
FASTING IF APPROPRIATE
Our Lord begins by saying ‘when you fast’, not ‘if you fast’, Matthew 6:16. He implies that His disciples will practice fasting, i.e., abstaining from food and perhaps fluids for an extended period of time.
The hypocrites in Jesus’ day made sure they looked like they were fasting by purposely neglecting to wash their faces and anoint their heads, Matthew 6:17-18. They wanted to appear miserable so everyone would know what they were ‘enduring’.
Those who fast in this manner are not pleasing the Lord, and they won’t derive any spiritual blessings from such, Matthew 6:16. It is best to conceal our fasting, Matthew 6:17-18, if possible since the act is intended for self-abasement, not the cultivation of pride.
Much can be learned about fasting by analysing Bible examples of it. There appear to be both physical and spiritual reasons for fasting. Please reflect upon the following reasons.
1. When a friend or loved one is sick, fasting is appropriate.
David ended up fasting for a week in that context for his child who was ill, 2 Samuel 12:15-16 / Psalm 35:13.
2. When a friend or loved one has died, fasting is appropriate.
At the death of King Saul and his sons, the people fasted, 1 Samuel 31:13.
3. When we desire to seek the Lord and His blessings, fasting is appropriate.
The first reference to fasting is in the Book of Judges, Judges 20:26. The last reference to fasting in the Book of the prophet Zechariah and devout Jews fasted, Zechariah 8:19.
Most of the fasting was undertaken voluntarily and was not undertaken at the command of God but devout Jews undertook to fast for at least two reasons.
Not for health reasons, but,
1. Because they believed it was a way of attracting the attention of God. If they fasted, they thought that God noticed them.
2. Because they thought that, if they fasted, God would be prepared to do something about the situation that had caused them to fast.
If you think about this second reason, you will see that if a man thought his fasting had influenced God to act, it was very easy for him to imagine that he, personally, was someone special!
The reality, although, through the centuries, the Jew, especially after the Babylonian Captivity, introduced fasts for a whole range of reasons, but only one fast was specifically commanded by God, and that was the fast associated with the Day of Atonement, the most important and solemn Day in their religious Year, Leviticus 16:29.
In Leviticus 16:29, the expression, ‘deny yourselves’ or ‘afflict your souls’ is the expression for fasting, and this was the only fast that the Jews observed faithfully every year.
When we examine the New Testament, it surprises some people to find that the Lord only mentioned fasting twice, Matthew 6:16-18 / Mark 2:18-22.
Notice that both passages above, record Jesus’ response to the practice of that time. But also, notice, although about 16 times He says, ‘it was said by those of old time…. but I say to you’, Jesus doesn’t use these words because this kind of fasting about which He was speaking wasn’t covered by the Mosaic Law, but because it was something that the people had taken on themselves in the old law.
In Acts 13:1-3, Luke records that the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Paul on the First Missionary Journey, with prayer and fasting, they fasted in connection with the appointment of Elders, in the congregations that they established during that journey.
Please note that the whole church didn’t fast, it was only those mentioned in Acts 13:1 ‘Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Saul.’
In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Paul mentions sexual fasting but neither here nor anywhere else, does he impose it as a command. In 2 Corinthians 6:5, and 2 Corinthians 11:27, he refers to what he suffered for the sake of the Gospel and speaks of times when he went without food. But this wasn’t because he was ‘fasting’, but because he had no food to eat!
There are times in life when we are in need of spiritual renewal or special help and guidance. Such times require a deeper focus that fasting can help provide.
For example, consider the following, 2 Chronicles 20:1-3 / Esther 4:3 / Esther 4:16 / Acts 10:30 / Acts 13:1-3.
4. When we are grieving over some calamity, fasting is appropriate.
In Ezra 10:6 it is recorded that Ezra ‘ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those in captivity.’ Nehemiah 1:2-7 / Daniel 6:18-28.
5. When we are repenting of sin, fasting is appropriate.
Jonah records the penitence of the Ninevites after Jonah preached to them, Jonah 3:5 / Jonah 3:10 / Acts 9:9.
I don’t claim that the items on this list are exhaustive or mutually exclusive, though I do believe they cover the primary reasons why those of old fasted.
All of these reasons are still relevant for us today and those seeking to do God’s will should still fast at appropriate times, Matthew 9:14-15. Fasting should be considered an aid to meditation and prayer, Matthew 17:21 / 1 Corinthians 7:5.
However, since the New Testament doesn’t regulate the frequency or duration of fasting, such must be left up to each individual. We have no right to bind or create laws where the Lord has not, but we most certainly should stress the importance of fasting for those who are physically able to participate in such.
The answer to the question, should a Christian fast? is, therefore, ‘yes! If they want to!’ but remember that fasting, like ‘bodily exercise’ may do a little good, but ‘godliness is profitable for all things!’ 1 Timothy 4:8.
