Fasting

Fasting

While Christians are generally interested in fasting as a topic, few are disposed to practice it. Consider Matthew 6:16-17, where Jesus told his hearers, "...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.” (ESV) Notice that while Jesus doesn't command his followers to fast, He assumes they will by His use of the phrase "when you fast."

Gentile Christians may feel that Jesus was speaking in the Jewish context and was not implying that fasting would be part of their life. In response, I point to Jesus' answer to the disciples of John. They asked Him, "'Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" (Matthew 9:14-15 ESV) The book of Acts indicates that fasting was part of early church practice. In 2 Corinthians, Paul refers twice to his own habit of fasting.

Among the reasons to practice fasting, I would place following Christ's expectations and the pattern of the early church at the top of the list. Fasting allows us to sharpen our focus on God in a conscious way. The hunger pangs which we experience serve as frequent reminders that we are performing a spiritual exercise. Most of the time, even when we give thanks before eating, the satiation of hunger is just a natural part of our day without spiritual implications. Occasional fasting draws our attention to the link between God as the source of life and His role as the sustainer of life.

One of the great benefits of fasting is our liberation from the everyday slavery of pleasing ourselves. We are so used to thoughtlessly satisfying our physical appetites that we become habituated to the idea that these appetites must be served. Fasting reminds us that the spiritual transcends the physical.

One more benefit of fasting is its ability to raise character issues which need to be addressed. Stress usually reveals negative aspects of the inner self. Fasting is a controlled stress and can help us spot our weaknesses. Things like impatience, ungratefulness, and temper will become evident and we can use this awareness to grow spiritually through this discipline.

In our multi-task culture, we love to combine things. I would counsel you against combining fasting with dieting. If you need to lose weight, find a healthy way to do that and stick to it faithfully. The spiritual benefit of fasting is watered down when we try to use it to attain physical results. Be careful as well not to use fasting to impress people (either others or ourselves) with our spirituality or will power. It is easy to fall into that trap. The last danger of fasting I'll mention is the tendency some have to use fasting to manipulate God to do something for us. God does not "owe us" because we practice this or any other spiritual discipline.

Let me give you a few practical tips regarding fasting:

One of the questions that nearly always comes up when I talk about fasting is "What if someone finds out?" Jesus warned against making a show of fasting, so we shouldn't brag about it, but being paranoid about others finding out is not healthy either. Overemphasis on secrecy can be as much a point of pride as boasting. It’s virtually impossible to hide fasting from family members and difficult to keep from workmates. Don't make a big deal about it either way. It's just something you do. People will get used to it.

When an invitation to eat comes during your fast time, you can truthfully say, “That’s not convenient for me, how about next week?” If the person needs your company or counsel and they have no time other than a meal time, break your fast. In "Wisdom of the Desert," Thomas Merton tells of two men visiting a friend on a day when he typically fasted. He enthusiastically invited them to eat with him. He reasoned that "fasting has its reward, but he who eats out of charity fulfils two commandments, for he sets aside his own will and he refreshes his hungry brethren." ("Wisdom of the Desert: Translations from the 'Verba Seniorum,'" by Thomas Merton.)

In closing, I don't know any who have practiced this discipline who wished they hadn't, but I do know those who haven't who have wondered if they've missed something.

Ron Hughes
© June 2008