What Is This Fasting About?

What is This Fasting About?

[Mat 6:16-18 NASB]

In churches, there seems to be a feast-and-famine situation when it comes to the subject of fasting. This has resulted in ignorance or imbalance.
It is important for us to look at what the Bible tells us about fasting.

Fasting is about food, not activities.

The Greek word for fasting is νηστεύητε which is a compound word. The first part is “not”. The second part is “to eat”. So, fasting is not eating.

This is important. Fasting is not neglecting everything. Really is about food. It can include sex (1 Cor. 7:5, some translations).

Food can become a god to us. [Phl 3:18-20 NASB]

Gluttony is a sin.

Self-righteousness is a sin. Many times false religion was more about what they eat or did not eat than about God. Acts 10, God tells Peter to rise kill, and eat. This was counter to anything he would have done.

[Mat 4:4 NASB]

Within fasting, the preoccupation with food should lead us to God.

Fasting is about Him, not them.

16 – “…so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting.”
18 – “…so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret

Fasting is about honoring and seeking Him.

Attitude: The real issue Jesus was dealing with is when we fast for the purpose to be seen by people. This does not mean your fast is negated when people find out you are fasting or you are part of a corporate fast, the issue is INTENT. Are you fasting to seek to know God or to seek the praise of people?

Action: See to it that you are praying while you fast. Take the time you would be eating and spend that time in prayer to God.

Fasting is about discipline, not abuse.

17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face

The disfigurement of the face was paramount to not washing. They saw fasting as absolute neglect/abuse of the body. Yet, Jesus said anoint your head, wash your face.

“Oil does not here symbolize extravagant joy but normal body care.” (Carson) Jesus taught that they should take care of their body as they normally would.

Do not abuse the body, but discipline it.

[1Co 9:23-27 NASB]

Kenneth Boa – there is a renewed call to the traditional disciplines (fasting, giving, praying, solitude, corporate worship, and service.) He says, “Today’s Christian leaders pitch their message so low that if their members practiced the spiritual regiments they propose, it is unlikely they would be distinguishably different from their neighbors.”
In the NT, Jesus engaged in all the spiritual practices. They are not an end in themselves, but a means to know and obey the Father. (KB)
[1Ti 4:7 NASB]
Spiritual disciplines and habits need to be our responses to His Grace!
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. That means disciplined learners. A Christian is a disciplined learner of Jesus Christ.
It is about growing in discipline in your walk with God.
Fasting is about receiving not earning.
V. 16 – “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” GR: μισθὸν – BDAG “pay” “wages” even if is God Who would pay.
V. 18 – “. . . and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” GR: ἀποδώσει – BDAG “recompense” “reward” “restore”
Similar definitions, but different usages. The first is mere wages, the second is more about getting more than you “earned”.
[Rom 11:6 NASB]
More about receiving and abundance than earning a wage.
Japanese Culture: In the standard model, workers receive two fairly large bonuses as well as their regular salary, one mid-year and the other at year’s end. In 1988 workers in large companies received bonuses equivalent to their pay for 1.9 months while workers in the smallest firms gained bonuses equal to 1.2 months’ pay. In addition to bonuses, Japanese workers received a number of fringe benefits, such as living allowances, incentive payments, remuneration for special job conditions, allowances for good attendance, and cost-of-living allowances. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_work_environment)
American Work Culture “hours = dollars” and “work = pay” no more.
As great as the American work culture is naturally, do not bring that mentality into your relationship with God.
God desires to bless you way beyond what your work for Him earns.
You fast; God blesses you, your family, your finances, and your God-given dreams and goals. Your fasting connects you to His resources.
It is not about earning, it is about receiving.

Fasting is/should be a normal part of Christianity as we avoid eating for the purpose of seeking God in a disciplined lifestyle while receiving a grace-based reward.

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