Matthew 6 : 16-18 (NKJV)

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Fasting

Fasting Fasting is defined as abstaining from

or limiting food

Fasting is mentioned over 30 times in the Bibleo Each time fasting is mentioned it refers

to abstaining from food or watero Old Testament mentions fasting only 4

times more than the New Testament

Is Fasting a Command? Fasting was commanded in the Old

Testament

o The only occasion fasting was commanded to take place was the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 23: 26-28

o Bible literally says Israelites were to “afflict their souls.”

o Hebrew word anah, which has the meaning to humble oneself

o Explained in Isaiah 58o “afflict the soul” (anah) discussed as fasting

Is Fasting a Command? New Testament

o Passages that support fasting• Matt 9: 14-17• Jesus was asked by the disciples of John why

the disciples of Christ did not fast. Jesus explained that there was no reason to fast while the bridegroom was with the disciples. But Christ further explained that the bridegroom would be taken away, and THEN SHALL they fast

• Matt 6:16-18• Jesus said “WHEN you fast”

Is Fasting a Command? Arguments against compulsory

fastingo The New Testament is devoid of a specific

command to fast• Compared to prayer, which is discussed

not only by Jesus, but also Paul, James, and John

o Important aspects of fasting, such as circumstance, length of time, and reasons were not delineated

o Every commentary considered fasting to be voluntary

Manner of Fasting Where will you lay up your

treasures?o Matt 6o In the first century, people were fasting to be

glorified by man.o Disfiguring their faces to appear “afflicted” to

demonstrate how holy they wereo As a rebuke, Christ instructed that to be pleasing to

God, you must not intentionally appear to be fasting to gain worldly admiration

o Instead we must wash our face, anoint thine head, and fast in secret

o The point was to lay up treasures in heaven. To avoid falling into the trap of craving the praise of men and to approach life and worship with a humble attitude

Examples of Fasting Old Testament

o 1) Times of mourning• 1 Chron 10:12 (Saul’s death)• 2 Sam 3:35 (Abner’s death)

o 2) Seeking counsel from the Lord• Judges 20:26 (Nation of Israel v. Tribe of

Benjamin)o 3) Asking for the God’s blessing / forgiveness• 2 Sam 12:16-23 (David’s prayer for his

dying son)o 4) Drawing near the presence of the Lord• Exodus 34:28 (Moses on Mt Sinai)

Examples of Fasting New Testament

o 1) Appointing Elders• Acts 14:23

o 2) Departing on Missionary Journeys• Acts 13:2

o 3) Time of Great Spiritual Unrest / Conversion• Acts 9:9

o 4) Jesus in the Wilderness• Matt 4:2

Application Practical approach to fasting

todayoConsider fasting for an amount of

time, and every time you feel hungry, use it as a reminder to pray to God.

o Fast during times of personal examination

o Fast when important decisions need to be made