Passage: Matthew 6:16-18
The Big Idea
The New Testament never commands believers to fast, but it treats fasting as good and valuable. Fasting isn’t mainly about going without food; it’s about turning our eyes away from the things of this world so we can focus fully on God. It doesn’t change God or earn anything from Him. It changes us. Done in humility and joy, and joined with prayer, fasting deepens our dependence on Him and our fellowship with Him.
Not Commanded, but Commended
Scripture doesn’t command Christians to fast as a requirement. Yet it clearly presents fasting as something good and beneficial.
- Jesus said “when you fast,” not “if” (Matthew 6:16).
- The early church fasted and prayed before important decisions, such as sending out Barnabas and Saul and appointing elders (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).
- Prayer and fasting often go together in Scripture, as with the prophetess Anna, who worshiped in the temple night and day with fasting and prayer (Luke 2:37).
What Fasting Is For
Too often we focus on the lack of food. But the real purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus completely on God.
- Fasting is a way of saying, to God and to ourselves, “I’m serious about my relationship with You.”
- It helps us gain fresh perspective and renewed dependence on Him.
- It’s a physical way of saying no to the flesh’s demands so we can listen to the Spirit.
Other Kinds of Fasts
In Scripture, fasting is almost always going without food. But the heart of it can be applied in other ways: setting something aside for a time to give God our full attention. Paul even speaks of married couples agreeing to set aside physical intimacy for a short time to devote themselves to prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5).
You might fast from:
- A meal or several meals.
- Media, screens or entertainment.
- Some other comfort or habit that easily fills your time and attention.
Some Wise Guidelines
- Set a time. A fast should have a clear beginning and end, especially a fast from food.
- Take care of your body. Long periods without eating can be harmful. If you have a medical condition (diabetes, for example), are pregnant or nursing, take medication that requires food, or have ever struggled with eating, talk with your doctor and choose a kind of fast that’s safe for you. Everyone can set something aside to draw closer to God.
- It’s not punishment. Fasting isn’t meant to punish the body, but to redirect our attention to God.
- It’s not a diet. The goal isn’t losing weight but gaining deeper fellowship with God.
- It’s not leverage. Fasting isn’t a way to get God to do what we want. It changes us, not God.
- It’s not a show. Fasting isn’t a way to look more spiritual than others.
In Secret, with Joy (Matthew 6:16-18)
Jesus said that when we fast, we shouldn’t look gloomy like the hypocrites, who make a show of their faces so others will see they’re fasting; they’ve already received their full reward. Instead, when we fast, we should freshen up and wash our faces, so that our fasting isn’t obvious to people but only to our Father who is unseen. And our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us.
- Fasting is to be done in humility.
- And with a joyful heart, not a gloomy one.
- It’s between you and your Father.
Joined with Prayer
Fasting without prayer is just going hungry. The point is to make space for God.
- With prayer, we take hold of God’s life, power and will.
- With fasting, we let go of the world’s grip on us.
(For more on how prayer and fasting grow our faith, see the study on Mark 9:14-29.)
For Further Reading
I recommend Andrew Murray’s classic With Christ in the School of Prayer. It will challenge you to pray with faith and confidence. It’s in the public domain, and you can find it free online, including free audio versions.
Grace Takeaway
Fasting isn’t a spiritual workout that earns God’s favor; you already have His favor in Christ. It’s a way of pushing the world’s noise aside so you can enjoy the One who loves you. Set something down for a season, pick up prayer in its place, and let your Father, who sees in secret, meet you there.
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