Fasting. For many, it's the equivalent of the F-word. The last thing you want to hear, because eating is awesome and even just the thought of skipping meals may bring on small feelings of panic and dread.
However, Jesus said his disciples would fast (Mark 2:20). Because God is a loving Father, I believe everything He tells us to do is not only for his glory, but also for our benefit.
Recently, I have noticed an uptick in hearing about fasting in the mainstream. Chris Martin, lead singer for Coldplay, says he just drinks water and doesn't eat food on Sundays. He first tried it to help his health but stuck with it because he found he could sing better and generally experienced more gratefulness in his life with the practice. Famous technologist and entrepreneur Kevin Rose recently released a fasting app called Zero, he fasts primarily for physical and mental benefit. Intermittent Fasting (only eating between certain time frames) has become a fad in the health and fitness communities recently because it helps burn body fat, decrease inflammation, potentially ward off cancer, and encourage a longer life span. Scientists such as Dr. Valter Longo, Dr. Rhonda Patrick, and many others have come forward in recent years with research on the health and longevity benefits of fasting to the human body. It's exciting to me that both modern science and the life experiences of current celebrities agree with what Jesus told us: we should fast.
Unfortunately I think the prevailing mindset in the American church has sometimes been that fasting is an extreme spiritual discipline reserved for monks, missionaries, and probably your local pastor, but not Joe and Jill Christian.
However, just a quick glance at what the Bible actually says on the topic indicates the exact opposite. The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 is full of foundational teachings of Christ. When you look at chapter 6, Jesus is talking about 3 major themes: Giving, Praying, and Fasting. Within the praying theme he also addresses forgiveness. If you have spent much time in church, ask yourself this question, "How many messages have I heard on the topics of giving, praying, and forgiveness?" Probably many, and rightly so, these are all very important. Now ask yourself, "How many messages have I heard about fasting?" I would venture to say the answer is not as many. Perhaps none, because a lie has crept into our comfortable American Christian culture that says fasting is just for extreme people.
So back to the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6, Jesus is teaching his followers to do things with right motives- to do them to please their heavenly father rather than to try to impress people with how holy or spiritual they are.
- In Matthew 6:2 he says, "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet..."
- In Matthew 6:5 he says, "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites."
- Then in Matthew 6:16 he says, "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites..."
Note Jesus' word choice to his disciples: when you give, when you pray, when you fast. Not if, but when. All of these activities: giving, praying, and fasting actually fall into the same category of Christianity 101 and therefore should be practiced by every sincere Christ follower.
One reason churches may avoid talking about fasting is being hyper-aware of Jesus' command to not do it to be seen by people. But then we would have to also stop talking about giving and prayer, because the same warnings apply. In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, we see occasions of united group fasting occurring, both with the nation of Israel and the early church. In such instances, it would be impossible for others to not know that you are fasting.
In Matthew 6:18 Jesus said that when we fast with right motives, we will receive a reward. That reward may come in many forms: receiving answers to your prayers, increased intimacy with God, greater humility, or deliverance in times of trouble. The side health benefits aren't bad either.
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