"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:16-18
Last time we considered what fasting is not. This time, let’s begin considering what fasting is.
Fasting is a means of denying oneself.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
Fasting is a means of denying the flesh to concentrate one’s attention toward the Spirit. By “denying the flesh,” I am not referring denying the sinful desires of the flesh. As Christians we ought to be doing that all the time! Saying no to sin is not fasting, it is repentance and walking in the Spirit!
Spiritual fasting is denying oneself the lawful (i.e., not sinful) aspects of the flesh. I trust that we all understand that eating and enjoying food is not sinful, though gluttony is sinful. So fasting is not halting gluttonous behavior (which is a sin to be repented of), it is temporarily denying oneself lawful (and necessary) eating. Note the word, “temporarily.” Fasting from food cannot be permanent for obvious reasons.
Why would we do this? A couple of practical reasons come to mind. As already stated, fasting from food, for example, is a matter of denying oneself a bodily necessity (and pleasure) for the sake of giving special attention to prayer (or any other spiritual discipline). If we merely skip a meal (or eating for a day), what has been accomplished? But if during that mealtime we devote ourselves to special prayer, or scripture reading, or charitable acts, much may be accomplished.
If fasting for an entire day, we can be reminded to pray every time our stomach growls.
Lastly, thoughts about fasting are usually about food, but spiritual fasting can be temporarily abstaining from from any lawful (i.e., not sinful) activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, certain foods or beverages, certain entertainments, hobbies, or according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:1-6, intimate marital relations.
This covers some of the simple facets of fasting. A deeper aspect of fasting is revealed in John Piper’s most excellent book, “A Hunger for God.” I’ll share a little about that, next time.