Q&A: Should Christians Fast?

Question: I have a Muslim friend that fasts during Ramadan. He told me about all that was required from him and it was a lot. I actually felt kind of sorry for him because it was grueling. However, he seemed proud of his ability to go through this ordeal every year with the other men of his mosque. Then I realized that Jesus fasted. So, am I missing out on a Christian ritual I was never told about? Would this be a good way to lose weight?

Scripture does not require a Christian to fast. Yes, Jesus fasted but that was because he was fully under the Mosaic Law. However when He died, He satisfied the perfect law of God perfectly on our behalf, and left the law in the grave. He arose from the dead which was the consummation and sign that a new, more perfect covenant was now fully in force in the eyes of God. This covenant took sinful man out of the equation and instead this covenant relies solely on Christ crucified.

However, while God no longer requires fasting, the Bible presents fasting as something that can be good, profitable and beneficial if done in the right spirit. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; Acts 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; Luke 5:33). But too often, as with the Muslim religion, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food and self-edification. Instead, wholesome fasting should be about taking one’s eyes off the things of this world and redirecting focus on a closer relationship with God. Fasting is a physical and philosophical way to show God that you are dedicated in your relationship with Him. It shows that you have the self-discipline to follow through with a promise to Him, whether it be concerning food, habits or desires.

That said, there are many other ways to fast other than with food. Fasting can simply be the giving up of anything that we suspect is leading us astray from our spiritual life. If we fast by way of temporarily giving up food, we should establish a reasonably healthy goal we are trying to achieve. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the mind and body. Christian fasting is not intended to punish the body as with some religions. Instead, it is meant to redirect our attention off the body or world and back to God. So, if the fast involves food, when we feel physical hunger, it reminds us of the spiritual goal we are trying to achieve.

Fasting should also not be considered a “dieting method”. A diet should be a long term eating regime that restricts the intake of carbohydrates {sugars} and replaces them with protein thus causing weight loss. Also, fasting is not a way to get God to do something we want. Fasting changes our mindset, not God’s mindset. Fasting is also not a way to feel spiritually superior to others. Instead, fasting should be performed with a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Jesus said, “… when you fast, do no look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward {admiration of men} in full. But when you fast, anoint your head {comb hair} and wash your face {bath}; so that it will not appear obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, will sees what is done in secret {humbly}, and will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

Here are a few fasting examples. Let’s say a person suspects they are spending too much time online. They decide to pray and tell God that they are going to cut back on the time they spend online. Instead, they will spend that time with family and friends. Or, they will donate time to helping a community nonprofit or studying Scripture. All of these activities are for a person’s good mental health and all will please God. Or, a person could suspect that they need to cut back on eating certain foods that do not agree with them, or they have put on an unhealthy amount of weight. So, they pray that they are going to cut back on particular food(s). Then, every time they feel the urge to eat, when they know they should not, they remember their fasting pledge and instead go for a walk, take in some clean fresh air and think about the beautiful world around them. Or, they might eat something filled with protein and drink a glass of water. It is always a good idea to study Scripture or read a daily devotional a few minutes every day. What a person is accomplishing through these small behavioral modifications is telling God that they are determined to do a certain thing for a certain amount of time so that they will help keep the temple God gave them in a healthy condition. This show of devotional love will please God in that you are making yourself healthier, happier and drawing closer to Him spiritually.

But always remember, Christians are not required to fast because Jesus has made salvation and eternal life available to all His followers through His self-sacrifice on the cross. All the other religions of the world are actively denying Christ. They knowingly continue to follow flawed manmade laws including self-depravation, and in some cases torturous self-flagellation, in a futile effort to outwardly show God and the public the depth of their devotion. When in truth, God is spiritual and only interested in a person’s love for Him. And the way a person shows this love for Him is by forgiving and loving their fellow man. As opposed to fasting as a way to try and earn forgiveness in the eyes of God for the sins they constantly commit. These practitioners are hoping that at death, God will take into account all the acts of attrition and self-denial they have performed. Then, He will conclude that they have done more good than bad and will allow them into Heaven. In other words, they have earned the right to go to Heaven so God must let them in. This is a false understanding based on the false doctrines of all the world’s false religions. While the practitioners are extremely sincere in their devotion to God, they are sincerely wrong! Their continued denial of Christ and belief that they can earn the right to enter Heaven is an affront to a Holy and Righteous God. In effect, they are saying that Jesus’ death on the cross served no purpose. It was a wasted effort and of no value to them.

Jesus knew that false religions would continue in the world until His Second Coming. This is why He stated, “… wide is the gate, and broad the way, that leads to destruction and many there will be that go in: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)