Fasting Redefined

The next theme we explore from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is fasting. For Lent, many of us deny ourselves food or something else we enjoy in remembrance of the suffering of Christ for us. What should the attitude of our hearts be when we fast? 

From an Africa Study Bible application note:

Fasting is popular in many African churches. When fasting, we restrain ourselves from certain activities to concentrate on prayer. In the Bible, “fasting” normally means avoiding food. However, fasting can also mean restraining ourselves from other pleasurable activities or distractions. People with health concerns may fast from other activities and spend that time in prayer instead. In fact, some people with health issues like diabetes should never fast, and any person needs wisdom and preparation before embarking on a long fast.

Fasting is meaningless, however, if we do not spend quality time with God. Nor do we fast to draw attention to ourselves. We fast to focus our attention fully on God. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness, but He did not walk piously around the streets of Israel in the midst of His fast. He did not fast to get credit from people but to connect with His Father in heaven. When we fast, let us follow the example Jesus set. Let us fast in a sacrifice of devotion to connect with God instead of feeding a hunger for human approval. 

Today: 

As part of your spiritual growth, prayerfully consider fasting this Lent. If this is your first time to fast from food or anything else, start with small steps. Making very big dramatic changes may set you up to fail. Remember to set aside time to focus on God. For instance, you could give up one meal per day, and use that time to read and memorize God’s Word, as well as to speak to Him in prayer.