Matthew 6:16-18
16 “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 received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 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.
Matthew 6:16-18
ReplyDelete- For what reasons should we fast?
I probably should have included this one with the last sections. I'm pretty sure that the gist of what Jesus was saying is the same as praying or doing good deeds in public.
Jesus says "When you fast ..." and so assumes we will fast (vs 16) just as He assumes we will give to the needy (vs 2) and pray (vs 5).
ReplyDeleteJesus also says His disciples will fast (Mt 9:15) and that it is required for certain acts (Mt 17:6).
Jesus' example of fasting was a 40 day fast.
In contrast today's church doesn't seem to practice this hardly at all.
But not to miss the point of the passage - I think the teaching here is that we should not be doing righteous acts for show, to bring glory to ourselves.
http://www.ucg.org/bible-faq/what-fasting-and-why-should-i-do-it says:
ReplyDeleteFasting is a means of getting our minds back on the reality that we are not self-sufficient. Fasting helps us realize just how fragile we are and how much we depend on things beyond ourselves.
The Bible records that great men of faith such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul and Jesus Himself fasted so that they might draw closer to God (Exodus:34:28
; 1 Kings:19:8; Daniel:9:3; Daniel:10:2-3; 2 Corinthians:11:27; Matthew:4:2). Jesus knew that His true disciples, once He was no longer there in the flesh with them, at times would need to fast to regain and renew their zeal to serve Him (Mark:2:18-20).
http://www.gotquestions.org/fasting-Christian.html says:
ReplyDelete"Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.
Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude.
My 2 cents on fasting:
ReplyDeleteI'm going to address a couple of questions:
1. Why should we fast?
2. When should we fast?
3. Does the Bible command us to fast?
4. Does a fast have to be of food?
1. First of all, I think there are two types of fasting: Fasting for ourselves (health, medical, etc.), and fasting for Christ. I believe that it's important not to get these two mixed up. We can fast for ourselves anytime we want (as long as it doesn't hurt us in some way). I believe that we should not do ritual fasting (unless there is a reason I'm not thinking of to do so).
We should fast for three reason I can think of: a. To dedicate ourselves to God before setting out on a mission for Him. This seemed to be common in the New Testament. b. To align ourselves with God over repenting of a sin we have committing for a while. c. To engage in spiritual warfare for another person (when God moves us to do so).
2. I believe the when is when we are called by God to do so. If we attempt to fast not in God's timing, we will be wasting our time, miss out on the power that fasting can have, and be discouraged about fasting in the future.
3. The Bible doesn't command us to fast. However, when the time or situation calls for it, I believe that Jesus expects us to fast. If we are engaged in God's work, there will be times that we will fast.
4. Sometimes, there are medical reasons we cannot fast. When that is the case, something needs to be done that fits the bill. Otherwise, I can't think of anything that weighs on us like food. Giving up video games for the weekend doesn't have the same effect as giving up food. There's something fundamental about giving up food that causes us to throw out all other distractions, and enables us to focus on God.
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/devotional-life/personal-guide-to-fasting.2.html
ReplyDeletea helpful website on fasting