What do you think about fasting? (Do you think about fasting?)
- Is fasting something that Christians should do?
- Is it something we should do as a body?
- Should we teach about it, encourage it?
- Are there special times in a church’s life when fasting should be present?
- What are some of the passages we should consider when talking about fasting?
What do you think?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Maybe.
Sermon on the Mount.
Here is a somewhat lengthy answer to fasting:
General Observations:
Main message of fasting is that something is larger in value, importance, danger, or emotional impact that what it would appear on the surface. That “something” could be a life-decision, battle, sin, spiritual discipline, mourning, or an honor.
Why People Fasted in the Bible
Awareness (Repentance / Confession) of Sin – 1 Samuel 7:2-6. / Joel 1:12-15. / Jonah 3:4-5.
Mourning a Loss – 2 Samuel 1:10-12
Preparation for a Mission – Matthew 4:2
Pleading a Cause: Earnestness. – 2 Chronicles 20:1-22 / Ezra 8:21-23 / Esther 4:12-17 / Nehemiah 1:1-11 / Daniel 3:3-19
Honoring God – Matthew 6:16-18 / Luke 2:36-37
Seeking Guidance (Appointing Leaders) – Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-23.
Should Christians Fast?
YES! Look at what Jesus taught – Matthew 6:16-17 / Matthew 9:14-15 / Matthew 17:20-21
YES! The Early Church did – Acts 13:1-3 / Acts 14:21-23
YES! Paul Fasted – 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 / 1 Corinthians 11:1
Why Should Christians Fast?
Reasons of Health.
Circumstantial reasons.
To grow in Self-Control.
When Should Christians Fast?
When occasions require Divine help.
Facing temptation.
A life decision.
Serious illness.
When the congregation is making important decisions:
Sending a missionary.
Appointing Elders / Deacons.
Planning or acting on a plan.
How Should I Fast?
Matt 6:16-18 – Not to be seen.
Matt 9:14-17 – Not as a regular ritual.
Isa 58:3-9 – Not without true repentance.
Lk 18:9-15 – Not to establish superiority.
My Concluding Thoughts: Jesus seemed to presume fasting would be part of His followers’ lives. Yet not as a ritual, but as part of a spiritual life.
Fasting Variations for your consideration:
Partial Fast – one meal a day.
Focus Fast – No distractions, just Bible and Prayer.
Total one day Fast.
Item Fast – one item or category of foods.
In our walk with the Lord, I believe there are many areas in which we should do self spiritual examination. Fasting can be a mode or a way in which spiritual examination can be done. Personally, I think it’s great…. I do not believe it’s a command to do but instead to do in a voluntary way…….”when you fast”
Matthew 6: 16-18
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men 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.
As far as Christians and the body of Christ participating in fasting, anyone and everyone must see this as spiritual and not physical act. I think that was Israel’s problem in Isaiah 58. The physical became the main focus instead of the spiritual.
And ditto on Scott’s reply……
Great thoughts, guys. I want to post some more on this topic this week, so I’ll limit my comments. But I’m learning a lot!
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Scot McKnight’s book on fasting is somewhere in the depths of my reading queue.
I think fasting should be taught in the context of the other spiritual disciplines. It should be taught but immediately [IMO] you run into problems when it becomes a “church” activity.
I am sorry, but I don’t agree! I don’t believe we should fast like the hypocrites to be seen by men, but our fasting should be that of a more spiritual meaning. Our fasting should be that of taking care of the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, being hospitable to those who need shelter, especially those who are of our family. I believe that we should help others in need without publicizing it and doing every good thing to be seen by God and for his glory and honor. Isaiah 58:3-8
What was the purpose of Jesus’s fasting in the desert when he knew he was going to be tempted? Mathew 4:1-2
Why didn’t Jesus’s disciples fast while John’s fasted? Mark 2:18-20
Fasting is of little value in itself. I Corinthians 8:8
Is not fasting a way of surrendering ourselves to God fully, using all the spiritual fruits God has provided through the Holy Spirit?
Love and Peace,
Patsy
Patsy,
I agree that fasting must not be abused, just as public prayer must not be abused. However, the early church fasted, and even the Mark 2 passage that you cited implies that the disciples would fast in the future.
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I plan to spend some more time on this topic.
Grace and peace,
Tim
I have been greatly enriched by the practice. Am currently prepping for another as I am finding myself at a crossroads.
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