Articles
Should We Fast?
Living in a country where it seems no one misses a meal on purpose [unless they are trying to lose weight], the subject of fasting seldom comes up in discussion, but when it does, the question is simple: Should disciples today practice fasting?
Throughout the Bible, we see various reasons individuals or groups fasted. The Israelites fasted in sorrow when there was a conflict with one of their own tribes and they sought an answer from God (Jdgs. 20:26), and on another occasion when they sorrowed over their sins (1 Sam. 7:6); they would fast again at the news of the death of King Saul and his sons (1 Sam. 31:13), and David joined in the fasting and sorrow for Saul, and for all who were lost in battle (2 Sam. 1:12); David would personally mourn and fast for the condition of the child he had by Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:16-23). In the New Testament, we may remember Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness before being tempted (Matt. 4:1ff), and right before He began His earthly ministry; we see some godly men fasting before being called by the Holy Spirit to go to the Gentiles, and prayed before being sent out (Acts 13:1-3); and, finally, we see Paul and Barnabas and the churches praying and fasting as men were appointed to be elders in every church (Acts 14:21-23). These are not all the examples of fasting, but are sufficient to show the cases and situations where individuals and multitudes of people engaged in fasting.
If we look into the Jewish Talmud, we find various mentions of fasting, too. It is there we find fasts were held during times of drought on Mondays and Thursdays (Mo'ed, Vol. 1, ‘Shabbath,’ p. 105.), as well as four public fasts and thirteen annual fasts. Traditional teachings dictated how long they were to be, when they began, what constituted an actual fast, personal hygiene during the fast, whether one could end the fast if it included the Sabbath day or one of the feast days, how one was to greet another during a fast, and several more details. Such interest in the minutiae of fasting was carried over to the first century and into the practices of the religious leaders — especially the Pharisees.
Not all fasting was accepted or approved by God, however. The Israelites were condemned by God for their fasts and feasts, even as they proclaimed their devotion to Him (Isa. 58:3). He chastised them and their fasts because they did so even as they sought pleasure, exploited their hired workers, and sought strife, debate, and wickedness (Isa. 58:3, 4). The Lord would demand a better fast than the ones they were practicing, though; the fast He demanded was one of self-humiliation, denial, sorrow for sin, and showing mercy and compassion to one's fellow man (Isa. 58:5-7). God would later, through Zechariah, question the motivation for their long-practiced fasts as selfishly driven, and sought instead their obedience to Him (Zech. 7:3-7). In other words, fasting for the wrong reason is not a way to gain the Lord's favor.
In the New Testament, we see a couple of examples of individuals with the wrong motivation for their fasting, too. First, Jesus condemned “the hypocrites,” who, He said, “with a sad countenance…disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting” (Matt. 6:16). [Note: They weren't really even fasting; they just made it look like they were fasting!] Second, we find the example of the praying Pharisee, who boasted to God, “I fast twice a week” (Luke 18:12). In these examples, the hypocrites appeared to fast so others would see them, and the Pharisee fasted just so he could boast to God about how much more righteous he was than others! Friends and brethren, neither was acceptable to God! The fact is, not all fasting is looked upon favorably by God, just as not all offerings of 'worship' are accepted by Him; anything we do, we must do it with the right motive, and do it in the way He has specified.
Which brings us back to the original question: Should disciples today practice fasting? Is this something the Lord has commanded? The simple answer is, no, the Lord has not commanded this as something disciples must do; but, even though it is not commanded, it is certainly something that should not be discouraged, either. Please note that when our Lord condemned the hypocrites for their 'fasting,' He did not condemn fasting altogether, but rather gave instruction as to how it must be done, if it was done at all. Let us note now what He said.
Don't Draw Attention to Yourself. The primary condemnation of Jesus for these hypocrites was that they did whatever they did “that they may have glory from men” (Matt. 6:2), to “be seen by men” (Matt. 6:5), and so they would “appear to men to be fasting” (Matt. 6:16). Did you notice in each case, the hypocrite was trying to get others to notice him in a way they would praise him and think he was pious and religiously devoted to God? In each case, the hypocrite sought to draw attention to self; there was no real interest in doing it with the right motives.
Do It To God, Not For Men. As noted previously, fasting was practiced quite often in times of sorrow or before entering into important decisions or endeavors. In contrast to the way the hypocrites 'fasted,' ours should not be done in a way anyone else would even know we are doing it. Note that Jesus said charitable deeds were to be done privately (Matt. 6:3, 4), prayers were to be offered privately (Matt. 6:6), and even the fasting was to be done in a way no one else would even know you are doing it (Matt. 6:17, 18). So, if you are going to fast, do it to God, and with absolutely no regard or concern for what men might think about you. As Jesus noted, though we do it secretly, God knows.
Do It With Proper Motives. As noted previously, too, proper motives must be behind the act of fasting, too. God condemned the Israelites for doing it with selfish motives (cf. Isa. 58), and the praying Pharisee was condemned because he arrogantly boasted to God about his fasting (Luke 18:12), as if God would suddenly recognize his superior righteousness because of it! In each case, they did it for the wrong reasons!
If we should choose to practice fasting, we must ask ourselves, Why do I want to do this? For what purpose am I going to fast? I may decide to fast and pray because I have to confront a sinning brother; if so, I should use that occasion to also study God's word and look into my own life to make sure I am not acting hypocritically [tolerating sin in my own life] and that I am confronting him out of love for his soul. I may decide to practice fasting and praying for lost souls and to lead others to Christ; then, too, would be a good time to examine myself to see if I am doing all I can do. I may choose to practice fasting because there is someone in particular I have been trying to reach, but who has rejected God's word numerous times, and I am not sure what to do next. We could go on and on with proper motives and motivations for fasting, but let us just say it should never be done for selfish motives, or to bring some glory or praise to self.
If you should choose to practice fasting, do it right if you do it at all. Turn off the television, put down the smartphone, turn off the computer and get off the Internet. Find a quiet time and place, and use the time to focus your attention on important matters, study God's word, humbly examine yourself, pray ever more fervently, and dedicate yourself to faithful service to God. —— Steven Harper
