QOTW - Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?

The Question of the Week by GotQuestions.org [Click here to view this email as a webpage]( Question: "Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?" Answer: 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. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. 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. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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.” Recommended Resource: [A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer by Piper, Platt, & Chan]( [More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s new on GotQuestions.org? [What does it mean that “His mercy endures forever” (Jeremiah 33:11 and Psalm 136)?]( [What does it mean that the earth was without form and void (Genesis 1:2)?]( [Do angels have souls?]( [Who was Zilpah in the Bible?]( [How was the word of the Lord given “precept upon precept” to the people (Isaiah 28:13)?]( [What did Joseph mean when he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20)?]( [What is the legend of the Wandering Jew?]( [Is the jackal mentioned in the Bible?]( [What does it mean to be more precious than rubies (Proverbs 31:10)?]( [What does the Bible mean by “male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27)?]( [Is there an angel named Ariel in the Bible?]( [What is the significance of Hebron in the Bible?]( [What does it mean to “sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 96:1)?]( [What does it mean that “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6)?]( [What are fertility cults?]( [Is “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” in the Bible?]( --------------------------------------------------------------- GotQuestions.org seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually-related questions. To continue in this mission, we need your support! For more information, please visit our [Support Page]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [More...]( --------------------------------------------------------------- GotQuestions.org Recommends: --------------------------------------------------------------- The GotQuestions.org Network: This message was sent to {EMAIL} from: Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923 [iContact - Try It Free!]( [Unsubscribe](