Fasting has always held a significant place in the spiritual practices of many believers. In Christian tradition, the Scriptures on fasting provide guidance on why and how to fast, what it means spiritually, and how it impacts a believer’s relationship with God. This blog will explore the key Scriptures on fasting, unpack their meanings, and provide insights on how fasting can transform one’s spiritual life.
Introduction to Scriptures on Fasting
Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It is often seen as a practice of self-discipline, repentance, and devotion to God. From the famous fasts of biblical figures like Moses, David, and Jesus, the Scriptures on fasting offer a profound insight into how fasting is used to deepen one’s faith, hear from God, and experience personal transformation.
What Is Fasting in the Bible?
In biblical terms, fasting is the voluntary act of abstaining from food or drink for a period of time to focus on prayer, reflection, and worship. It is an act of humility, repentance, and seeking God’s guidance. The Scriptures on fasting teach us that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but about turning our hearts toward God and seeking His will.
The Purpose of Fasting in the Scriptures
Fasting serves several purposes in the Bible. Let’s look at some of the key lessons we learn about fasting through the Scriptures.
Fasting as a Form of Repentance
In many instances in the Bible, fasting is linked to repentance. For example, in the book of Joel, God calls His people to fast as a way of turning from their sinful ways:
Joel 2:12-13 (NIV): “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
This Scripture highlights the connection between fasting and repentance—returning to God with a sincere heart. Fasting allows believers to humble themselves and seek God’s forgiveness.
Fasting for Strength and Guidance
In the Scriptures, fasting is often done to seek God’s guidance or strength. Moses, for instance, fasted for 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai when receiving the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 34:28 (NIV): “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.”
Similarly, Jesus fasted in the wilderness to prepare for His ministry:
Matthew 4:2 (NIV): “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
This shows that fasting can also be a way of preparing spiritually for God’s work or gaining clarity on His will.
Key Scriptures on Fasting
Now, let’s look at specific Scriptures that highlight the importance and practice of fasting in biblical tradition.
1. Matthew 6:16-18 – Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting
Jesus provides clear instructions on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount. In this passage, He emphasizes that fasting should be done privately and with a sincere heart, not for the sake of appearances.
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV): “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, anoint 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 Scripture on fasting stresses the importance of sincerity and humility. It teaches that fasting should be about seeking God’s approval, not human recognition.
2. Isaiah 58:6-7 – The True Fast
Isaiah challenges the people of Israel to engage in a “true fast,” one that involves not just abstaining from food, but also seeking justice and showing compassion to others.
Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV): “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
This passage teaches that fasting is not just a personal spiritual discipline but should lead to a change in behavior, reflecting God’s justice and compassion toward others.
Lessons on Fasting from the Scriptures
The Scriptures on fasting provide numerous lessons that we can apply to our daily lives. Let’s explore some of these important lessons.
Lesson 1: Fasting Deepens Our Relationship with God
Fasting is more than just a physical practice—it’s a way of drawing nearer to God. When we fast, we intentionally set aside time to focus on prayer, Scripture, and meditation, which helps to strengthen our relationship with the Creator.
For example, in the book of Daniel, Daniel fasted and prayed for insight into God’s will. His time of fasting led to a deeper understanding of God’s plans:
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.”
Lesson 2: Fasting Can Break Spiritual Strongholds
In the Scriptures, we see that fasting can be a powerful tool to break spiritual strongholds and deliverance from oppression. One notable example is when Jesus cast out a demon that His disciples could not remove, explaining that certain demons can only be cast out through prayer and fasting.
Mark 9:29 (NIV): “He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.'”
This shows that fasting can provide the strength needed to overcome difficult spiritual battles.
Examples of Fasting in the Bible
The Bible is filled with examples of fasting for different purposes. These examples highlight the significance of fasting and how it played a key role in the lives of believers.
Example 1: Moses’ Fast on Mount Sinai
As mentioned earlier, Moses fasted for 40 days and nights when he was on Mount Sinai receiving the law from God. His fast was an act of devotion and obedience, and it positioned him to receive God’s commandments for the people of Israel.
Exodus 34:28 (NIV): “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water.”
Example 2: Esther’s Fast
In the book of Esther, Queen Esther called for a fast among the Jews before going to the king to plead for the salvation of her people. This fast was one of desperation, seeking God’s intervention in a moment of great peril.
Esther 4:16 (NIV): “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do.”
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Fasting
The Scriptures on fasting remind us that fasting is not just a ritual or a physical act; it is a spiritual discipline that has the power to transform our hearts, minds, and lives. Whether we are fasting for repentance, guidance, strength, or deliverance, the Bible teaches that fasting should be approached with humility, sincerity, and a desire to draw closer to God.
By reflecting on the Scriptures on fasting and applying them to our own spiritual journeys, we can deepen our relationship with God and grow in faith.
Additional Resources on Fasting:
- Fasting and Prayer by Elmer Towns
- The Power of Prayer and Fasting by Ronnie W. Floyd
References:
- The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)
- “Fasting: A Biblical Study,” by R.A. Torrey