What does the Bible say about fasting? Fasting is a practice rooted in Biblical beliefs of seeking God, showing devotion, and fostering spiritual discipline in the Christian faith.
It serves various purposes, including guidance, repentance, renewal, and building a deeper connection with God. Believers engage in fasting as a way to align their hearts with God’s purposes and to grow in their faith journey.
What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?
Bible’s Verses On True Fasting.
Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible, and it is often associated with seeking God, repentance, and spiritual discipline. Here are some key passages that address the concept of fasting:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 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.”
This passage is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he provides instructions on various spiritual practices, including fasting. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity and doing it as an act of devotion to God rather than for public recognition.
2. Joel 2:12 (NIV):
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
The book of Joel encourages repentance and turning to God with fasting, expressing a feeling of deep sorrow for wrongdoing.
3. Acts 13:2-3 (NIV):
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
In the early Christian community, fasting is associated with worship and seeking God’s guidance. In this instance, the believers fasted and prayed before commissioning Barnabas and Saul for their missionary work.
4. Daniel 9:3 (NIV):
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Daniel’s prayer and fasting are linked to seeking God’s mercy and guidance for the nation of Israel.
5. Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV):
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
Jesus himself engaged in a significant period of fasting as part of his preparation for his ministry, highlighting the spiritual significance of fasting.
6. Luke 18:12 (NIV):
“I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, fasting is mentioned as a religious practice. However, the emphasis is on the heart attitude, and it contrasts the self-righteousness of the Pharisee with the humility of the tax collector.
Fasting, when done with a sincere heart and a focus on seeking God, is presented as a spiritual discipline with the potential for deepening one’s relationship with God, seeking guidance, and expressing repentance and devotion. It is important to approach fasting with the right motives and a humble heart, recognizing its spiritual significance.
Also read – Have You Read The Entire Bible
What Are The Rules For Fasting In The Bible?
- Sincerity and Humility
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV):
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… 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…”
Principle: Fasting should be done with sincerity and humility, and without seeking attention or recognition from others.
- Spiritual Focus
Joel 2:12 (NIV):
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Principle: Fasting is associated with seeking God with one’s whole heart, expressing repentance, and mourning over wrongdoing.
- Guidance and Worship
Acts 13:2-3 (NIV):
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Principle: Fasting is connected with worship and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, as seen in the early Christian community.
- Purposeful Prayer
Daniel 9:3 (NIV):
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Principle: Fasting is linked to prayer, petition, and seeking God’s mercy and guidance.
Why Should Christians Fast?
- Spiritual Discipline
Reason: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps believers cultivate self-control, discipline, and a deeper reliance on God.
- Seeking God’s Guidance
Christians fast to seek God’s guidance and discernment, as seen in the examples of fasting in the Bible before significant decisions or missions.
- Repentance and Renewal
Reason: Fasting is associated with repentance and turning to God. It provides a time for self-reflection, confession of sins, and spiritual renewal.
- Expressing Devotion
Reason: Fasting is an expression of devotion and a way to draw closer to God. It signals a desire for intimacy with the Creator.
- Submission to God’s Will
Reason: Fasting is a way for Christians to express their submission to God’s will and a willingness to surrender personal desires for the sake of spiritual growth.
- Cultivating Compassion
Reason: Fasting can cultivate compassion for those who are in need. It reminds believers of the importance of caring for the less fortunate and understanding the experience of hunger.
- Building Community
Reason: Fasting, when done collectively as a community, can strengthen the bonds of fellowship and unity among believers. It fosters a shared spiritual experience.
- Preparing for Spiritual Battles
Reason: Fasting, as demonstrated by Jesus in the wilderness, can be a preparation for spiritual battles and temptations. It reinforces dependence on God’s strength.
What Does The Bible Say About Fasting Alone?
The Bible acknowledges and even encourages private fasting, with a focus on sincerity, humility, and a personal connection with God. Fasting alone can be a meaningful and intimate expression of devotion, repentance, and seeking God’s will.
However, believers need to approach fasting with the right motives, focusing on the heart’s condition and a genuine desire for spiritual growth rather than seeking external recognition.
Here are some Biblical examples and principles related to fasting alone.
- Private Fasting by Jesus
Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV):
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
Jesus engaged in a significant period of fasting alone in the wilderness before facing temptation. This underscores the personal and private nature of fasting as a spiritual discipline.
- Secret Fasting Encouraged
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV):
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… 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.”
Jesus encourages sincerity in fasting, and the focus is on a personal connection with God rather than seeking the approval or recognition of others.
- Examples of Solemn Assemblies
Joel 2:15-16 (NIV):
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.”
While not specifically referring to individual fasting, this passage emphasizes the calling of a sacred assembly, suggesting a communal and personal response to seeking God.
- Daniel’s Private Fasting
Daniel 9:3 (NIV):
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Daniel engaged in private fasting as part of his prayer and petition to seek God’s guidance and mercy.
How To Fast According To The Bible?
Fasting is acceptable to God when it is approached with a sincere heart, a focus on seeking His will, and a commitment to living out the principles of justice, compassion, and love.
It’s not merely a ritualistic observance but a spiritual discipline that, when done with the right motives, draws individuals closer to God and aligns their hearts with His purposes.
Here are some key principles regarding the acceptability of fasting to God:-
- Seek God’s Guidance
- Set a Clear Purpose
- Choose a Type of Fast
- Heart Transformation
- Compassion and Justice
- Prayer and Petition
- Seeking God’s Will
- Repentance and Turning to God
Fasting is a personal and spiritual journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
I fasted for 21 days during my school days, along with my Church fasting prayer, and for the first time, I saw Jesus specifically work in my life.
At the time, I learned that fasting is a vital habit in the Christian life.
The purpose of fasting is to come more closely to Jesus. At the beginning of each month, I encourage everyone who reads the article to participate in a period of prayer and fasting. It is similar to offering God a tenth of our time.
