What Is the Purpose of Fasting?Sample

Fast in secret

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:17-18)

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus talks about how to fast. He says that when you fast, you should not mention it to others to gain praise or respect. Do not constantly tell people you are fasting or that you’re hungry.

This does not mean, of course, that you have to lie in order to cover up the fact that you are fasting, but do not deliberately show to others that you’re fasting. Fasting is not to show off how spiritual you are. If you fast, you do it for God. Focus on pleasing God, not impressing men.

The prophet Isaiah, too, responds to people who are fasting for their own benefit. The Israelites in his time thought they could please the Lord by fasting and mourning all day long, even though they oppressed the weak and stole from the poor. God says that that is not how fasting works. God doesn’t just want them to fast; He wants to see them turn away from their sins and do good. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).

This shows that God doesn’t want hypocrisy, He wants faithful followers of His Word. This should be a warning to all of us. Do we think we can please the Lord, even though we do not submit to Him? Is fasting more like a “challenge”, or do we fast for God? Are we seeking our own glory, or do we glorify God alone?