Jesus taught that fasting is a personal, private spiritual discipline, not a public display for validation (Matthew 6:16-18). He assumed his followers would fast ("when you fast") to humble themselves, intensify prayer, and seek God. Modern biblical fasting focuses on abstaining from food to focus on God, accompanied by repentance and seeking his will.
Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
Privacy is Key: Do not look gloomy or disfigure your face to show others you are fasting.
Heart Attitude: Fast to be seen only by your Father, who is in secret, not for human admiration.
Reward: Those who fast for public show have received their reward, but God rewards private, sincere fasting.
Context: Jesus indicated that after he left, his disciples would fast (Matthew 9:15).
Biblical Instructions for Modern Christian Fasting
Purpose: It is used to strengthen prayer, seek God's guidance, express repentance, and humble oneself.
Definition: Biblically, fasting involves abstaining from food (sometimes water), rather than, for example, social media.
Preparation: Approach fasting with a desire to draw closer to God, often accompanied by intense prayer and Bible study.
Heart over Ritual: True fasting (Isaiah 58) is not just starving, but involves breaking chains of injustice, feeding the hungry, and righteous living.
Flexibility: While a traditional, powerful tool, the Bible does not explicitly command a specific frequency or method, leaving it as a voluntary, spirit-led practice.
Yes christians should fast during troubles, national problems, world crisis, church problem or challenges, to humble self ask mercy etc…… But not to go to heaven on dying. To go to heaven believing in Jesus and following him as he commanded is enough. Fasting can also help for self discipline.
Fasting should not be dogma or ritual. It is not a must but it is a necessary christian practice. Fasting proteins or eating vegetarian diet Wednesday Friday is not biblical or not fasting at all. Most orthodox (oriental/eastern) fasting are either by oral church traditions or dogma copied from what Jesus did (40-50 days fast) or copy from prophet Jona sent of to Nineveh and the country humbling itself before God not to be destroyed.
Evangelicals don’t have a blue print to follow. Sometimes churches declare fasting but individuals can fast the way the decide to do.
Well every body knows fasting is good for health unless there is a medical problem or risk not to do so.
Fasting is not something someone should boast about for doing.