Articles
Fasting
Fasting is a subject found in both Old and New Testaments a number of times. Fasting is defined by Thayer's Lexicon as "abstinence from food...(a) voluntary, as a religious exercise...(b) a fasting to which one is driven by want: 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27..." Page 425) All we need to know concerning fasting is found in the Scriptures. Let us examine fasting.
EXAMPLES OF FASTING
A. OLD TESTAMENT
1. Moses fasted 40 days & nights before he received the Ten Commandments. (See Exodus 34:27-28; Deut. 9:9-29).
2. Children of Israel. (Judges 20:26; 1 Sam. 7:6).
3. Men of Jabesh-Gilead. (1 Sam. 31:11-13).
4. David. (2 Sam. 1:11-12; 3:35; 2 Sam. 12:15-23).
5. Ahab. (1 Kings 21:27).
6. Elijah. (1 Kings 19:8).
7. Ezra. (Ezra 10:6); 8:23).
8. Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 1:4)
9. Darius. (Daniel 6:18). 10. Daniel. (Daniel 9:3; 10:1-3).
B. NEW TESTAMENT.
1. Anna, a prophetess. (Luke 2:36-37).
2. Pharisee. (Luke 18:12).
3. Disciples of John. (Mt. 9:14; Mark 2:19-: Luke 5:33-35).
4. Christ. (Matthew 4:2).
5. Saul. (Acts 9:9). Later was Paul.
6. Paul. (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27).
7. Barnabas & Saul. (Acts 14:23).
8. Prophets & Teachers. (Acts 13:1-3).
9. Those on Ship with Paul. (Acts 27:33-38).
10. Cornelius. (Acts 10:30).
PURPOSES OF FASTING or SOME THINGS WHICH IT INDICATED
A. Humility. (Ezra 8:21-23; Psalms 35:13; Deut. 9:18)
B. Confession of Sins. (1 Samuel 7:6).
C. Mourning or Sorrow. (2 Samuel 1:11-12; 12:15-23; Nehemiah 1:4).
D. Spirit of Prayer. (Daniel 9:3; Luke 2:37; Acts 9:9, 11; 13:3; 14:23).
SHOULD WE FAST TODAY?
A. It was commanded in the Old Testament. (See Joel 2:12).
B. Christ defended His disciples for not fasting while he was with them. (Mt. 9:14-15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:33-35).
C. Regulated by Christ when one fasts. (Matthew 6:16-18).
D. Some early Christians did. (Acts 14:23; 13:3).
E. We are not commanded to fast in the New Testament! We are not told when to fast or how often to fast.
F. Surely, there are times when Christians can profit by fasting under certain circumstances for certain reasons.
G. If and when we fast we must be sure that our motives are pure. We must examine our hearts and search our souls and make sure that we are not being hypocritical by trying to impress men and receive their glory. (Mt. 6:16-18).
H. Although we may practice fasting, we have no right to try and bind it on others! (CRS)
