Fasting has been practiced by men, both the people of God, and Pagans from ancient times. The Pagans did so to try to obtain favors from the deities whom they feared and served. This was especially in times of crisis and distress, or for auspicious occasions such as before marriage etc. It was the practice of Pagan sailors to fast especially in the autumn time, with the approach of winter, so that they might be kept from shipwreck in times of winter storms. (See Acts 27:9 and 33). The fast referred to in verse 9, was the fast observed by the Jews before the great day of atonement, which took place late September, or early October. However as mentioned earlier, it was the custom for the pagan sailors to fast with the onset of winter, and in this chapter it was because of their distress occasioned by the terrible storm, they had been fasting for 14 days.

There are two kinds of fasting described in the scriptures. (1) Some was out of deep sincerity, where those who fasted truly humbled themselves, confessing and forsaking their sins, such as we have in 1Sam. 7:6, Neh. 9:1-2, Joel 2;12, Dan. 9;3, Ezra 8;23, and Deut. 9;18.

(2) Mostly however the fasting was just an outward show, by which those who fasted hoped to attract God's attention, diverting His attention from the sins which they were practicing, and which were blighting their lives, exposing them to the judgment of God. (Isa. 58;4-5.) Still others did it to attract the attention and praise of men, for their self-denial , and supposed devotion, (Luke 18;12.)

Still others were practicing fasting for seventy years, yet Jehovah has to question them, "Did you do it unto ME?" They had obviously not fasted unto the Lord, but had carried on this empty ritual for so long, doubtless feeling quite proud of their self denial, but all was a useless, wasted exercise.

God explained through Isaiah, (chapter 58;6-7,) what He desired from His people, and that was not just an outward show, but a real searching examination of their lives. A thorough and fearless confession and forsaking of every sin, and practice that was contrary to His nature, and His word.

The religious side of the fallen nature of Adam which is within each one of us, loves to have something in which to glory. Outward self-denial suits the flesh very nicely, as it makes the one who practices it feel very faithful and devoted, as if it is the manifestation of some superior spirituality. I have known young people who were very worldly in their ways and attitudes, and never practiced any form of separation from the world, but were guilty of many sinful habits, yet when asked to fast at a youth camp, gladly responded. I can only assume that it made them "feel good", to think that they were going without food for a time, to "please God", while all the time they were just pleasing their camp leaders, and themselves, It made them feel that they were being some kind of martyrs, but at the same time they were not willing to give up their worldly and sinful ways. Such fasting gives no pleasure to the heart of God.

The fasting that pleases God, is not merely going without food for a time, but abstaining from eating because of an overwhelming sense of shame, and grief, because of our sins, that takes away our desire to eat.

The people of Israel were practicing all kinds of injustice, business dishonesty, violence and wickedness, yet they were fasting, and pretending to seek the Lord and His will, as if they were a nation who had done righteousness, and had not broken God's laws, or forsaken His ordinances. Yet they were asking Him for just decisions, as if they delighted in His nearness.

They were going through the outward rituals of fasting, pretending to humble themselves, and wondered why God did not notice their devotion and self-denial. However God has to rebuke them, telling them that even in this their motives were selfish, and even while they were "fasting", they were driving their employees all the harder. They "fasted" hoping that it might help them to win their arguments, and their fights.

Fasting is good, but only when carried on from pure and right motives. There were so many other things in their lives which God wanted them to judge, to cease doing, to put away, to deny to themselves, before they thought of denying themselves food.

He wanted them to be gentle, forgiving and gracious, not harsh, critical and judgmental of others. He wanted them to cease their greedy, selfish, grasping ways, their exploitation of others, their oppression of the poor, and instead to be generous, kind, and even willing to take the homeless poor into their houses.

He wanted them to put Himself, His pleasure, obedience to His word, first in their lives, and promised spiritual blessing, fresh and fragrant, fruitful lives to them if they were willing to do as He asked. However they were not willing to do as He asked them, but preferred to continue their wickedness, but also to keep up their ritual fasting.

There are so many like that even today, such think it is smart if they can cheat their employer, by being lazy, or charging time that they have not worked. They will drink, smoke, use bad language, think nothing of having illicit affairs with other persons than their life-partner. They will worship the god of sport, and abuse their bodies in doing so. As well they will be violent to others in playing sport, or in arguments. They think that if they go to church once on Sunday, then the rest of the "Lord's Day", in fact the rest of the week is their own, to do "their pleasure". Yet such will be proud of their fasting, will sometimes boast of it to others. Such "fasting", is a waste of time, and gives no pleasure to God.

Fasting is never commanded in the holy scriptures, though it is encouraged, when practiced for godly reasons. In Matt. 6;16, the Lord Jesus says, "And whenever you fast", clearly indicating that they were sometimes fasting even before He spoke to them, but they were doing it for wrong reasons, and as an outward show. Thus we may conclude that fasting is a voluntary thing, not obligatory, and to be pleasing to Him, and thus beneficial to us or to others whose blessing we seek, then it must always be to God.

Let us now look at some of the people in the Bible who fasted, and some of the instances where fasting is mentioned.

Moses is the first person in the Bible who fasted, Ex. 34:28, and Deut.9:9, and 18. On his first visit to the top of Horeb, the very terror of the intrinsic holiness of God, on that mountain that was all on fire, because he said that he was exceedingly afraid and full of trembling, it took away his appetite. It was not that he denied himself food or drink, but that he was terrified by what he saw, and experienced.

However on his second visit to the mountain-top, it was different. On that occasion, he was so ashamed of and overwhelmed by the wickedness of the people's flagrant sin, that he fell down before God, and fasted for those forty days. Such fasting moved the heart of God, and secured His forgiveness for the people's sin

In Judges,20:26, we read of Israel, after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the men of Benjamin. They wept, and fasted, and offered sacrifices, because the hand of God had gone out against them in judgment. They had been quick to vent their wrath, and to try to execute judgment on the tribe of Benjamin, and the men of Gibeah. Now the wickedness of those men was revolting, yet they as a nation were also guilty of many gross sins before God. They had rejected Jehovah's rule, and anarchy followed, as every man did what was right in his own eyes. They were quite willing to judge the sin of their brother, but not their own sin.

The terrible slaughter of their soldiers at the hands of the Benjaminites, began to make to realize that something was wrong. This is what gave rise to their fasting, but it was accompanied with weeping and genuine repentance. It was not just a religious form.

In 1Samuel 7:6, we have another example of fasting coupled with national repentance and the confession of sin. Israel was down in the depths of departure from God, but were beginning to turn to God. Samuel had gathered them to Mizpah, and there they humbled themselves, confessed their sin, and turned in heart to Jehovah again. This was a national revival, and the Philistines chose that time to attack, but God gave Israel a mighty victory. This victory was not because of their fasting only, but because they humbled themselves, repented and confessed their sin to God. When fasting is coupled with such exercises, then it will enable the people of God to experience His power and victory, but fasting alone will achieve nothing.

Nehemiah 9:1-2, present us with a similar situation, though there was only a small remnant. There national and personal repentance, confession and forsaking of sin, was coupled with fasting, and this resulted in worship and great joy. As well the word of God was read and obeyed and great blessing resulted. But mere fasting without the other things would have accomplished nothing.

We have another occasion in Esther 4:3 and 16. On this occasion the nation was faced with annihilation, an emergency of disastrous proportions. The fear of it, made the Jews to weep, to mourn and to wail, as well as to fast. But the nation had got so far away from God, that they did not think of turning back to Him. Yet in His kindness He saw their grief and terror and sovereignly intervened, for their salvation, and consequently for our also. If Israel had been totally annihilated, then there would have been no nation for the Lord Jesus to come to, and God's plan of salvation would never have been accomplished.

Once again we see that fasting was no mere formality, they were in dead earnest, filled with terror.

In Joel 1:14 and 2:12, Israel is again confronted with disaster, the terrible judgment of God, in chapter one they are told to consecrate a fast, to cry out to Jehovah, not just to fast only. In ch.2:12 and 13, they are told to return to Jehovah with fasting, weeping and mourning, they were to rend their hearts and not their garments. The rending of the garments, and the fasting without the other things would only be an outward show, and have no value whatsoever.

We have other examples of group fasting in Ezra,8:21, and the occasion of that fasting was the very dangerous journey that they were about to undertake.

They did not fast only, but also humbled themselves, and prayed, seeking a safe journey for themselves and their little ones

By way of contrast we have another example of group fasting that was completely futile, in Jer. 36:9. This fasting was a mere formality, was not combined with repentance, self humbling, or the confession or forsaking of sin. I fear that so much fasting today is the same.

Then we have examples of individuals fasting, weeping, confessing, on behalf of others.

Nehemiah, fasted when he heard of the sad state of the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem, Neh.1:4. Once again the fasting was coupled with weeping, and praying, it was by no means a mere formality.

Daniel, is yet another example, Dan. 9:3. He was a holy man, who by his blameless life, simple faith and trust in God, deep concern for the people of God, and his love and study of the word of God, had endeared himself to the heart of God. So much so that the angel told him several times that he was a man greatly beloved.

Yet though so blameless, he took it upon himself to seek the Lord by prayers, supplications and fasting, so that he might shorten the sentence passed on Israel of seventy years deportation. It was not just a careless exercise, because he understood the will of God, by reading the word of God.

He tells us that he confessed his own sins, as well as those of the people of Israel, and because his prayer was according to the will of God, it brought an immediate answer. This is the kind of fasting that pleases God, and brings answers to prayer.

Hannah, is yet another example, (1Sam.chapter 1.) She was broken hearted because of her barrenness, and the terrible state of the nation. She fasted, wept and prayed that silent prayer, yielding herself to Him so that His will might be done. She promised that if God would give her a son, then she would give him back to God all his life. As a result of her prayer, Samuel was born, and God used him to bring Israel to national repentance.

Though there are other examples that we could cite from the Old Testament, let us now look at the New Testament.

Our Lord Jesus Christ: must ever be the supreme example, and we read of Him fasting only once, in Matt.4:2, and that was the occasion of the temptations in the wilderness. He did not fast to obtain more power, because he already possessed divine power, and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

He fasted because of His hatred of everything sinful. He suffered being tempted, showing that temptation caused Him suffering. We are so different, because temptation gives us a certain pleasure, often more pleasure than the sin we are tempted to commit. He did not fast for a few hours, but for 40 days, this sapped His human strength, and caused Him to be very hungry. But He never yielded to any temptation, and the Devil was defeated, and had to leave Him for a time.

Never once did the Lord Jesus command us to fast. In Matt.6:16 He tells that when we fast, showing that those to whom He spoke were in the habit of fasting, though they were doing it in a wrong way, as an outward sign of a devotion that they did not have. They were fasting, so that they might be seen of men, but H teaches us that if we do fast, then it is to be done secretly, and done to God, not to men.

It is interesting that He did command us to forgive men for their transgressions, things done against us, but very strangely those who lay great stress and importance on fasting, are so often guilty of refusing to forgive their brothers and sisters, not just unsaved men in the world.

In Matt.9:15, He told that His disciples would not fast while He was with them, but only after He had been taken away from them. From what follows He seems to say the fasting , such as practiced by the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist, was really only sewing a new patch on an old garment. Much of the fasting practiced today is just the same. An attempt to improve the flesh, by sewing a religious patch on to it.

Even after the Lord Jesus went back to Heaven, we seldom read of the disciples and Apostles fasting.

Though the Lord Jesus never commanded us to fast, neither is it commanded in the Old Testament, yet He spoke in the strongest condemnation of those who practiced fasting as a religious show. Their gloomy face, their neglect of their outward appearance, so that they may appear to be undergoing great suffering, so that they might attract the attention, the sympathy, the admiration of men, was clearly very repulsive to Him.

He tells us the story of the Pharisee who prayed to himself, Luke, 18:10-14. That Pharisee gave God such a lecture about what he considered were his own good points, or works, and amongst them boasted that he fasted twice in the week. However he only exalted himself, and failed to gain the power and approval with God that he thought he deserved, neither was he justified, but the despised tax gatherer was. All this is meant to be a warning to us, may we have grace to heed the warning. I fear that the Pharisee has many modern counterparts today. Especially during the time of Lent, when misguided nominal Christians, deny themselves of so many things, which is not commanded in the scriptures, and are so proud of their self denial, though they continue in their sins, and reject the salvation that our Lord Jesus bought for all who trust in Him, with His precious blood.

The idea in the minds of many is that fasting gives them power with God, or even power over God. This is often based on the words of the Lord Jesus in Matt. 17: 21, "But this kind does not go out, but by prayer and fasting". The desire for the deliverance of those who are enslaved by sin, or Satan's power, or his demons, is a noble and right desire, but the mere lust for power, even power over Satan's mighty demons, comes only from the pride of man. the desire for fame, the flesh.

The desire for power in prayer likewise, is a worthy desire, so long as it is God's glory alone that we seek. The desire to have power over God, emanates from the flesh. The false teaching of some, that we can command God to do what we want,, through the so-called authority of prayer, is based on human presumption. I have heard people telling God that He must do this or that. Our Heavenly Father is Lord of heaven and earth, He will not take orders or advice from us. Such people also claim that it is quite wrong when we pray to ask, if it be thy will, claiming that this is the language of unbelief, it is nothing of the kind, but the humble acceptance of the fact that we do not always know what the will of God is in every situation. It is the realization that God who knows the end from the beginning, knows what is best in every situation. The Lord Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

ANNA: (Luke.2:36-38.)Is the first person mentioned in the N.T. who fasted. She was a most Godly person, one through whom God spoke to others, and had been a widow for 84 years, living a life of daily dependence upon God. She departed not from the temple, (that is, she lived constantly in the presence of God,) and served Him night and day, with fastings and prayers.

To Anna, fasting was not a haphazard thing, she understood the sad and sinful state of Israel, she was expecting the Messiah to come, and she knew those who frequented the temple, who also had the same expectation. Neither was it an outward show with her, but it showed the sincerity of her soul, and the intensity of her desires. She stands out as a worthy example, and we need such as her today.

However Simeon, who is mentioned in the same chapter, was a righteous and devout man, he also was looking for the coming of the Messiah, the Consolation of Israel, as well it says of him that the Holy Spirit was upon him. But we are not told that he fasted, or that he prayed. He certainly would have prayed, he may even have fasted, but we are not told that he did. This would teach us that we should not think that those who practice fasting, are more godly and spiritual than those who don't. God looks on the heart of man, not on the outward show.

The disciples of John: These were truly repentant and godly people, who wanted to live for God. Their leader was a man of rugged self-discipline, who habitually denied himself the luxuries of an easy life. He wore the roughest of clothes, and lived in the wilderness. It was quite natural for his disciples to follow the example of the one who had been such a blessing to them. Their fasting could have been for two purposes, (a) to gain victory over the principle and practice of sin in their lives, or (b), because of the sinful state of the nation to which they belonged. It needs to be pointed out that they were not Christians, they had not yet come to a personal faith in Christ. Those referred to in Acts ch. 19, were willing to received the gospel the very first time that they heard its message. Though linked with the Pharisees, in Matt. 9:14, yet they were surely a very great contrast to those hypocrites.

Cornelius: We read about this man in Acts chapter 10. He was an Italian, a centurion in the Roman occupation forces, and was posted to Caesarea. He too was a devout man, and one who feared God, he was kind and generous to those in need. He had been fasting, verse 30, until 3pm, when in a vision an angel was sent to instruct him to send for Peter. He was told that his prayers and his alms, deeds of kindness, had been seen by God, but nothing was mentioned about his fasting. This would show us that God places more value and importance of prayer, and godly practical ways and living, than He does on fasting.

Further let us point out that what Cornelius had learned about God, he had not learned from the Romans, but from the Jews, whose religion was one of works of the law, though the law did not command anyone to fast. He had no contact with Christ, Christians, or Christianity, so had not learned to fast from them.

In Acts 13:1-3, we learn that the leaders in the assembly at Antioch, were ministering to the Lord and fasting. We can only minister to the Lord through worship and praise, and this came first in the order of mention and of importance. I have observed that those who lay great emphasis on the practice of formal fasting, seem to know very little about true spiritual worship.

It was as they were doing this, that the Holy Spirit instructed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work of the Lord, to which they were called. It does not say that the whole assembly was ministering to the Lord and fasting, but the leadership.

It is perfectly plain that if the elders and those who teach and lead in the local assembly, were to come together to minister to the Lord, and also to take their responsibility so seriously, that they were willing to deny themselves their normal food for a time, that we would see a much healthier state in the local assemblies, and that the Lord would raise up, and send out those whom He has called to serve Him in a full time capacity.

Then in verse 3, before these two were sent out, these same elders fasted and prayed, then laid their hands on them, as an act of identification and fellowship, (not of official ordination,) and only then did they send them forth. Is it any wonder then, that their mission was attended with such blessing? How different things would be today, if there was the same devotion commitment, and self denying faithfulness amongst the elders and leaders of the assemblies of Christ. Such fasting will surely be honoured and blessed of God.

Paul: This great servant of God set a worthy example for us all to follow. His spiritual life began with fasting, Acts,9:9, so deeply convicted was he of his wicked life of blind religious zeal, that for three days after being arrested by the Lord Jesus, he neither ate nor drank. This was no formal fasting, but the result of the deepest distress.

Then in the course of his ministry, he often went without food, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes because of the circumstances, no food was available, he tell us this in 2Cor.11:27. However none of this was for any formal purpose, or outward show. Let us be his imitators, as he was the imitator of Christ!

The Apostles: In 2Cor.6:5, though not mentioning them by name, Paul includes them with himself as God's fellow workmen, and along with many other sufferings, he tells that thy were in fastings often.

The Greek word used for fasting is "Nestiea", and can mean a voluntary religious exercise, Private fasting, Public or national fasting, or simply fasting caused by want or poverty, that is because there is no food, such is nothing more than hunger. This was often experienced by the Apostles and the servants of God during the early days of the spreading of the Gospel

The fasting of the wicked is exemplified in the Old Testament. In 1Kings,21:12. the wicked Jezebel ordered the elders of Naboth's city to proclaim a fast, all to enable her to carry out her wicked plan to murder Naboth and his sons.

Ahab: He was one of the weakest and most wicked kings of Israel, who sold himself to do evil, but when he heard the judgment of God proclaimed by Elijah, he humbled himself and fasted, the result was that the judgment was delayed.

The leaders and people of Judah: As we have seen earlier these religious hypocrites though practicing every kind of evil and injustice, were religiously fasting, and were surprised that Jehovah did not hear, or take notice. They bowed down their heads like a bulrush, and fasted to "make their voice heard on high, but all was to no avail.

The Pharisees: In Mark, 2:18, and Luke, 18:12, the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees is revealed. A whole chapter of Matthew's Gospel, ( chapter 23,) is devoted to pronouncing woes and judgment upon them by the Lord Jesus. Let us heed the warning, let us not be guilty of religious hypocrisy!

Let us now sum up the things that we have discovered. (1) Fasting is not commanded anywhere in the Bible, but nevertheless it is encouraged under certain conditions such as the following; (a) It must be result of deep sincere heart conviction, not simply to conform to the desires of others. (b) It must be done to God only, and never as a public or outward show. (c) It is never to be a form of penance, or bodily, physical, self punishment.(d) It should be coupled with a genuine judgment of self and sin. A true repentance for sin and failure, a sincere heart confession and forsaking of all known sin. (e) A willingness to put right wrongs that one has done to others, and where possible to make restitution for those wrongs. A sincere humbling of one's self before God, and a demonstration of that true humility before men.

Such fasting will be surely honouring and pleasing to God, and will result in His blessing in the lives of those who practice it. It will result in a greater effectiveness in the personal witness of the individual, A more fruitful and effective prayer life.

Where such is undertaken by the elders and leaders of a local assembly, it will result in a healthy spiritual state in that assembly, more power in the testimony, the addition of many who are saved through the preaching of the Gospel, a greater interest and participation in prayer, a greater hunger for the word of God and many other like blessings.

However where fasting is undertaken as a result of pressure from others, and with no real heart conviction from the Lord, it is of no value. Where it is practiced as a mere formal exercise, or for outward show, to win the praise of men. Where it grows from a lust for power, whether it be power over demons, or power over God in prayer, it is abominable to God. The only result will be, an exaggerated and exalted opinion of self, the imagined faithfulness of the one who fasts. A growing indifference and blindness to sin in that persons own life. An increasing hardness of heart towards God and men, and a harsh, legal, demanding attitude towards others, either fellow believers, or unsaved.

It will in short result in pride, self exaltation, self righteousness and resultant hypocrisy.

We have the sad spectacle in some countries of millions of misguided people, fasting from sunrise to sunset, for a whole month, as well as at other times, all in the vain hope that it might gain them some merit with God. The flesh glories in this, and the flesh in Christian believers is no different to that which is in others, of other religions.

May God give to all who read this small paper, a desire for true holiness, a desire for true effectiveness in testimony, a desire for an ever closer walk with our risen Savior, a desire to experience more of the real power of the true Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, and a desire for a greater knowledge of, and obedience to, the holy word of God. May His Holy Name be Glorified!

Charles E. Wigg,

R.S.D. 287B, Yolla,

Tasmania, Australia. 7325.

Written in Arabian Gulf. Started Kuwait,19/7/95, finished Dubai, 23/7/95.