The Importance of Fasting

Matt. 6:16-18
    
    Fasting is an amazing tool that is often overlooked by New Testament christians. There is no direct command to fast. A required fast decided by the lunar schedule, i.e. “lent,” is not found in Scripture. The example most quoted to justify lent is Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matt. 4:1-2), but I haven’t found anyone who abstains from food for 40 days to follow this example fully. Having said that, fasting is still something that New Testament christians should be doing. In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he addresses fasting (Matt. 6:16-18). The context for this prescription goes all the way back to Matt 5:20, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” He starts off His teachings concerning fasting by saying, “Whenever you fast.” We should take note of this. He is assuming that they are fasting. He assumed that those who desire to live godly did practice fasting of some type. Now His audience was Jewish, meaning they had prescribed fasting (Jer. 36:6; Lev. 16:29-30; 23:27-31) on the day of atonement. Having said that, first century christians continued to fast, and they did so under the directions given by Jesus here (Acts 13:2-4; 14:23). Why fast? Why is this spiritual beneficial. In Acts 13, the fasting was done with sending out Paul and Barnabas for mission work. In Acts 14, it was on the occasion of appointing elders in every church. We know in Acts 9 Saul fasted, which was accompanied by prayer, for three days after having a direct encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:9 & 11). Lastly, your body needs food. When you set your mind to deprive your body of what it needs it makes you stronger in fighting fleshly battles against the Spirit. When you want to sin, you know you can beat it. You have fought off the need of food, you can fight off the want of sin. Using fasting and know that if you can defeat your needs, then you can defeat your wants. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley ​