Fasting is not always about food…

 

The Bible speaks about fasting as a way of self-denial to focus on the Lord, particularly in prayer. It is said to be humbling as well as an occasion of repentance and complete dedication. Like any other pious activity, it can be imitated in the flesh and used to draw attention to “how devoted I am” or how religious. This hypocrisy is rebuked a few times. The OT says:

‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:3–5)

This passage goes on to say that a true fast is one in which the intent is to minister to needy people. It includes prayer for them, but also action whenever possible that takes care of needs.
The NT rebukes fasting also. Note that Jesus did not forbid it, but strikes out against the fleshy motivation that seeks honor for outward actions that appear to be pious…

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16–18)

Jesus always looks at the heart. I’m planning dinner for a family this weekend and as I searched for recipes, found myself thinking, “This dessert is impressive” or “That salad looks heavenly” when I realized this dinner was not to impress them with my culinary skills; it is to feed them and be hospitable to them. This attitude does not fast from food on my part, but denies self-glory. It is obedience to Christ who calls me to love His people.

For me, the actual fast where food is not eaten is very difficult. Not long into it, I get such a severe headache that I cannot continue. Forgetting self in other ways is more achievable, but I still need to rely on the Holy Spirit. With God’s help, I can spend a day making food, etc. and praying for friends and others much more effectively than denying food for myself.
That said, Jesus denied food. His situation becomes an example for me, not about fasting as much as it challenges me to not rely on physical sustenance or my ‘I-wants’ as much as on His Word.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:1–4)

His self-denial was Spirit-led, not motivated to impress others or seek any other personal gain. He became hungry after the fast lasted a long time, revealing the depth of His focus. The devil appealed to His humanity, the human need for food, but also challenged His identity and power as God the Son. Jesus responded by truth from Scripture and with that, the devil had to try a different tactic.

The hypocrites do not get a word (rhema) from God to fast and are not led into self-denial where they face temptation. Besides that, fasting just to impress others has already brought them into disobedience. And like the tempter, when that does not work, sinful people come up with other ways to impress people (like spectacular stunts or great financial gains).

Jesus’ answer to such nonsense is simple and profound: If you want life, real life, listen to God. Rhema means a word fit for the moment. It is about guidance for each situation. As the next two temptations and His responses reveal, seeking any sort of self-glory is not what God wants from His sons and daughters. I’m not to test His love with demands to prove Himself or any form of  ‘gimme the world’ prayers.

PRAY: Jesus, You make it clear that real life involves taking up my cross (death to self) whether it is in fasting or spending time and effort with others, or anything else You ask me to do. It also involves listening. You will give precise directions, sending me into the wilderness or elsewhere, and You will also give me answers when the temptations come, answers that make the devil give up and leave. Thank You.