Although fasting is a negative practice, it is not an end in itself but is to be undertaken for a positive purpose.
Fasting is not an end in itself
Fasting as empty ritual is condemned
Jeremiah 14:11–12 See also Isaiah 58:1–7; Zechariah 7:4–7
Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”
Fasting as mere show is condemned
Matthew 6:16–18 See also Matthew 9:14–15 parallels Mark 2:18–20, Luke 5:33–35 Jesus Christ repudiated fasting for its own sake whilst granting that there is a time and a place for it.
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting imposed for false motives
Attitudes appropriate to fasting
Humility
Psalm 35:13 See also 1 Kings 21:27–29; Ezra 8:21; Psalm 69:10
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Repentance
1 Samuel 7:6 See also Nehemiah 9:1–3; Joel 1:13–14, Joel 2:12–15
When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
Fasting and prayer
Nehemiah 1:4 See also Ezra 8:21–23; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 17:20 parallel Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37, Luke 5:33; Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23; 1 Corinthians 7:3–5 The motivation here is similar to that in abstaining from food.
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Fasting and worship
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.