Should Christians practice fasting?

By Wayne Jackson | Christian Courier

What does the Bible teach about fasting? Is it for Christians today?

Fasting, in the biblical sense, is the abstaining from food and drink for a spiritual reason.

In the Old Testament era, the Jews fasted frequently, though there was only one fast prescribed by the law. Once each year on the Day of Atonement the Hebrews were to afflict their souls (Lev. 16:31), which meant fasting.  “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Isaiah:
58:3).

Though there are no compulsory fasts required of Christians today, the New Testament seems to take for granted that children of God would see the need to fast occasionally.

When the Lord’s disciples were criticized for not fasting, Jesus responded by suggesting that it was hardly appropriate for them to fast while he was yet with them. The time would come, however, when he would be taken away from them. Then they would fast.  “But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days”. (Lk. 5:35).

Too, in cautioning against improper motivation in worship, Christ warned: “Moreover when you fast, be not, as hypocrites” (Mt. 6:16). It is significant that he did not say if but when ye fast reflecting an expectation that they would.

Fasting, for the Christian, is strictly voluntary. It should arise out of a feeling of intense need, not as a result of mere ritual or formality.

What Is the Value of Fasting?

When would fasting be of value?

Fasting may be spiritually beneficial in times of personal sorrow. David and his men mourned and fasted upon hearing of the death of Saul (2 Sam. 1:12). So did Nehemiah when he learned about Jerusalem’s decimated condition (Neh. 1:4).

Fasting, with prayer, certainly seems appropriate when a loved one is critically ill (2 Sam. 12:16).

Fasting frequently accompanied repentance as an outward and genuine indication of contrition for spiritual rebellion “

“And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh”. (1 Sam. 7:6). The people of Nineveh proclaimed a fast when brought to a recognition of their sins (John. 3:5).

Fasting was practiced in connection with great and important religious events. Moses fasted during that period when he was receiving the law. ‘And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” Ex. 34:28). Christ fasted prior to his encounter with Satan in the wilderness “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” (Mt. 4:2).

The church fasted before sending Barnabas and Saul on that perilous first missionary campaign. “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 13:2-3). Fasting was certainly a component in the dynamic ministry of Paul. “In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27). “Warnings for Those Who Fast “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Admittedly, however, fasting can be abused. The practice must never be employed as a substitute for personal godly living.

Isaiah delivered a blistering rebuke to those who fasted, then pursued their own worldly pleasures (Isa. 58).

Moreover, fasting must not be an occasion for the flaunting of one’s religion. The Pharisees were guilty of this very thing “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Mt. 6:16-18).Finally, the rigors of fasting must not be allowed to ignite a spirit of religious smugness and self-righteousness. This certainly could be a temptation And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (cf. Lk. 18:9-14).

Benefits of Fasting

In the final analysis, there does seem to be some benefits in voluntary fasting at certain times.

The Scriptures seem to suggest that God honors fasting when performed as a token of deep and sincere dedication.

Physicians indicate that moderate fasting can be a benefit to health, having the effect of allowing our systems to occasionally cleanse themselves.

The mind appears to be able to plumb greater depths of contemplation during periods of fasting.

Fasting can help one hone a keener edge on self-discipline.

Fasting can also have the added effect of reinforcing our appreciation for those things of which we’re deprived during the periods of abstention.