Fasting
“To fast, cover the mouth”
Summary
The religious practice of abstaining from food for a period of time as an expression of humiliation, repentance, grief, or earnest seeking of God.
☩Old Testament Practice
Fasting was observed on occasions of public calamity, private affliction, approaching danger, and national sin. Moses fasted forty days on Mount Sinai while receiving the law. Elijah fasted forty days on his journey to Horeb. The Day of Atonement was the only fast prescribed by the Mosaic law, called 'afflicting the soul.'
☩Jesus' Teaching
Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry. He taught against hypocritical fasting done for public display: 'When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast.' When asked why His disciples did not fast, He replied that the bridegroom was with them; they would fast when He was taken away.
☩New Testament Practice
Anna the prophetess served God with fastings and prayers. The church at Antioch fasted when setting apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. Paul and Barnabas prayed with fasting when appointing elders in the churches. Paul spoke of being 'in fastings often' as part of his apostolic labors.
☩True and False Fasting
Isaiah denounced fasting that was merely external while oppression continued: 'Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness.' The Pharisee boasted of fasting twice a week while lacking true humility. True fasting is accompanied by genuine repentance, confession of sin, and turning from evil.
Related Verses122 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fasting," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Fasting," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Fasting," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).