Bible Class: Lesson 33

What is fasting?

Fasting is the intentional and voluntary abstinence from food or liquid for a period. The abstinence may or may not have an objective. It may be planned or driven by circumstances. Fasting is not famine, lack of food or being hungry. People may have a partial or complete fast.

• Acts 27:20-22
  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
• Acts 27:33-36
  Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Churches of Christ and fasting

Fasting is not a topic that is often taught and discussed in churches of Christ. Some members have not been taught and they do not know what the bible teaches on fasting. There maybe varied reasons why it is not taught. What are the possible reasons why we do not hear much about fasting in the church of Christ?

Personal beliefs about fasting

People have personal beliefs and opinions about fasting. These personal beliefs and opinions should not be law or command, Also, these beliefs, persons should not seek to bind them on people. These are opinions. Some persons may choose to fast. Some may choose not to fast. Some may believe that everyone should fast. Some may believe that people should not fast. God has given us liberty or freedom to choose on these matters.

• 1 Corinthians 6:12
  “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9
  Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 

Fasting, a command or optional

Fasting is not a command. It was not a command in the Old Testament, neither is it a command in the New Testament. People fasted because it was something good to do to achieve certain objectives. There is no scripture that say a person must fast. Traditionally, some cultures and religious groups fasted, while others do not or hardly do. Jesus said, the disciples did not fast, but the time will come when they will have a reason to fast.

• Matthew 9:14
  Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

The Jewish people and fasting

Fasting is not practiced by every country, culture and society. Fasting seemed to be part of Jewish culture. However, not everyone fasted. Jesus told the disciples when you fast, not if you fast. These words seem to indicate that they were in the habit of fasting.

• Matthew 6:16
  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
  

How often should people fast?

There is no command and stated number of times a person must fast. Since fasting is a voluntary and personal decision, persons may choose the time, duration and purpose. A Pharisee fasted two times weekly. Should his personal decision apply to everyone?

• Luke 18:11-12
  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people; robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

• Fasting, the disciples of Jesus and John
  The disciples of Jesus and John seem to have differences where fasting is concerned. One was fasting often the other was not.
• Matthew 9:14-1
  Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
• Mark 2:18-20
  Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So, people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast
• Luke 5:33-35
  Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

The purpose and objective of fasting

People may have a fast for physical, mental, spiritual or emotional reasons. It may be people are facing serious situations in their lives, or they are seeking the attention of God. A fast may also seek to address serious situations and conditions. The purpose and objective of fasting may vary from one person to another. Some persons may fast because they are in the habit of fasting. They may have no objective. The disciples of Jesus were to fast because he was no longer with them.

• Luke 5:33-35
  Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
• Jonah 3:5-10
  The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
• 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
  The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.