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Fasting is an important act of great significance, for it is a spiritual action which has often proven to be the source of special blessings.
Generally it is the practice of self denial and involves the abstinence of food and sometimes drink. It is taught in both the Old and New
Testaments and therefore merits our study.
First, let us explore the subject as it is dealt with in the Old Testament. There is no way to conclusively state how many, if any, of the
fasts of the Old Testament were divinely appointed. It is believed by some that God did appoint the periodic fast which was associated
with the Day of Atonement. The expression "afflict your souls" (Lev. 16:29,31; Num. 29:7) is interpreted by some to be synonymous with
fasting. If so, then God did command the fast. There were also other periodic fasts mentioned in Zechariah 7:5 and 8:19 which were observed
by those who were under the Law. Whether or not God actually commanded them is not clearly stated. Regardless of whether they
were divine commandments or not, it is clear that the Jews did observe the practice of fasting. Other fasts were observed whenever the need
arose, as taught in Joel 1:14 and 2:12.
The fasting of the Old Testament occurred on both an individual and national level. The people fasted for various reasons such as: when
under some awful judgment, when the sword of invading enemies came, or during times of famine or pestilence. Because these were times
of serious circumstances and great danger, they fasted. The Bible tells us that when thousands of Israelites fell during the rage of battle,
"Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and
fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings" Jud. 20:26). They also fasted when they recognized the need of some special blessing
that only God could supply. Whether it was the removal of sin on the day of atonement or divine guidance that was needed, they sought
it by fasting. As the Jews were to leave Babylon, Ezra said, "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict
ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance" (Ezra 8:21). Both reasons
moved David to fast for his son by the wife of Uriah. Because the child was gravely ill, "David therefore besought God for the child;
and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth" (2 Sam. 12:16). Even though David both prayed and fasted, the child
died. Mortals must always bow submissively to the sovereignty of God in all matters. There is no chain of human effort to which we may
attribute magical power that can require the Almighty to do according to our will. He cannot be bound in any measure by human endeavor;
nevertheless, there are times when God is pleased to recognize the denials of fasting and to appropriate blessings which otherwise might
never have been given.
Let us now move to the New Testament and notice a passage which was taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount.
He had previously taught about alms and prayer; then He turned His remarks to the subject of fasting. He said, "Moreover when ye
fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto
you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to
fast, but unto the Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" (Mt. 6:16-18).lt seems from
the language of those Scriptures that Jesus rebuked the mere outward appearance of fasting and taught the importance of fasting as a spirit
of the heart. Joel said, "...And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God..." Ooel2:13).Evidently those whom
he was addressing presented an unpleasant appearance as they fasted, perhaps even frowning or looking gloomy and sad. They did not
understand that alms, prayer, and fasting are toward God, who can see and know the sincerity of the heart.
The words of Jesus should also teach us that our Lord did not abolish fasting but intended only to regulate it. He neither commanded it
nor condemned it; He only gave the proper approach to God for those who choose this avenue. Although fasting is not a prescribed duty;
it is a personal resolve of the heart by which we may seek the favors of a gracious God. Like the voluntary vows of the Nazarite (Num. 6:2),
fasting is a matter of individual freedom and desire. Being an act of self-denial and personal restraint, it lies within the realm of self discipline.
It is a matter of personal preference, but Jesus made it clear that the necessary sacrifices involved are to be directed toward God,
and we are assured that He takes notice of them.
When our spiritual desires involve fasting, the act deprives the flesh of that which it desires. This may be done by abstinence from food
and drink or from other desirable or needed items. Most often fasting is done by giving up food and water. Notice Ezra 10:6, "Then Ezra
rose up from the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread,
nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away." In the New Testament these words are
written of Saul: "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink" (Acts 9:9). There may also be times of fasting when
people eat the basics but deny themselves the extras or luxuries of life. Daniel said, "I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine
in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled" (Daniel 10:3).
Our appetite for food and drink is strong, but if we are willing to use self-discipline to deny these desires, then we have the power to
fast. There may be times when this is done for medical or other reasons, but when this abstinence is performed for spiritual or religious
purposes, then the benefits of fasting may be experienced. However such blessings are enjoyed only when our desire for spiritual interests
is stronger than our appetite for daily food. Remember that the act of fasting cannot be successfully performed if done only as a duty to
be discharged. It is not to be done only for the sake of religious appearance. Fasting must issue from an inward need which manifests
itself outwardly through self-denial. When such desires are deep and strong enough to overcome the desires of the flesh, a person will gladly
refrain from the gratification of the flesh so that he may gain the spiritual or physical benefits which his heart desires and his soul needs.
This was clearly manifested by our Lord Jesus during His time of temptation when He fasted for forty days and nights (Mt. 4:2).
From a biblical point of view, it is evident that there are benefits which may be directly attributed to fasting. In my lifetime I have
witnessed the effects of fasting, have fasted on various occasions, and have felt that blessings came as a result. Jesus indicated that fasting
does produce results when He said "...and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" (Mt. 6:18).Through fasting some
blessings are gained which probably would not have been enjoyed otherwise. Sometimes prayer just simply is not enough to gain that
blessing which our soul desires. During such times, we have the privilege of resorting to fasting. When questioned by His disciples on
one occasion, Jesus said, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Mt. 17:21).On that occasion a father had come
to the disciples of Christ, desiring them to cast an evil spirit from his son. The disciples made an attempt to do so but failed. Then Jesus
came to the rescue of the father and healed the child. Jesus explained to His disciples that sometimes we must both pray and fast before
the blessing is gained. Few people in our day ever desire blessings enough to give themselves to scriptural fasting; therefore, they shall
never enjoy some blessings and victories which might otherwise bless their lives and that of others. The principle is a simple one. If you
want something enough to give up that which you need, then it may just please God to honor your sacrifices and give the blessings you seek.
With regard to fasting, there certainly are no guarantees. While blessings are often given, they may not always be given, for God will
respond to our fasting as He does to our prayers, according to His perfect will. Since the early church fasted over important matters,
I believe that the practice should be kept alive in the church of today (Acts 13:2, 14:23). The sad truth is that in our society fasting has
almost been forgotten and forsaken by believers. Multitudes of God's children have never been taught what the Bible says about this
important subject and therefore desperately need instructions about fasting. Have you ever fasted before God? If not, perhaps there are
special blessings you could have enjoyed if only you had both prayed and fasted. God grant you wisdom as you ponder the information
here given with regard to this blessed and holy privilege of fasting.
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