Let's Talk About Fasting

OMS is in the middle of a prayer/praise/fasting event. It's an annual event, this being the second year for it. It's a good thing. A lot of people are involved, each doing something a little different. Some do a Daniel Fast, which emulates his consumption at the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. Some do liquids only, including broth. Some just do water. It's a seven-day fast. It's not a requirement, but it has been strongly recommended.

I am not fasting.

I don't want to be controversial. That is not my goal. I don't want to be judgmental. There are a lot of valid points on both sides of the issue, and I don't even think it's an either/or deal. Some people fast frequently. My father fasted on the first Monday of the month until his health wouldn't permit it. Some people do 40-day fasts. Others fast from certain things. Lent is a time when many people can be found fasting from something (including me, but that's a post for another day). We would do 30-hour famines in youth group, though that was typically more about drawing attention to poverty and world hunger.

I have reasons for not fasting. I'm not going to go into them. But I want to explore this topic a little.

What does it mean to fast?

For this, let's consult Wikipedia, which offers a concise and fairly accurate definition.

1. Fasting is primarily an act of willing abstinence or reduction from certain or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days.

So, it's a conscious action of abstinence from something. As Christians, we recognize fasting from the Bible. Probably the earliest chronological use would be Job when he's sitting around in sack-cloth and ashes, bemoaning his choice of friends. (I don't know if it actually calls it fasting, but I don't think he was doing a whole lot of eating.) There's an oblique reference to fasting in Leviticus 23, and then it's sprinkled throughout the rest of Scripture. Jesus, of course, fasted for 40 days in the wilderness as he prepared for his ministry.

As far as the purpose of fasting goes, it's not really about the lack of something. It's not about saying, "I was able to go 40 days without food. Look how holy I am!" The purpose of fasting is to get our heads and hearts out of this world and instead focus on the things of God. This is always a good idea.

But is fasting a command?

We know that Jesus and the disciples were criticized for not fasting (Matthew 9, Mark 2); but Jesus' response was more "Dudes, I'm already here. It's not like they can focus on God more than physically being in his presence! They'll get around to it when I'm chilling in the H to the eaven." and less "You're absolutely right, we'll get on that right away. In fact, we won't eat for the entire three years I'm laying down my sweet tracks." (This is how Jesus talks in my head. I know I have issues. You don't need to point them out.)

Jesus pretty much assumes that people will be fasting when he gives the Sermon on the Mount. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18

BUT

He never actually commands us to fast. He endorses it as a good idea, but he does not explicitly say, "Do this." 

In fact, Paul talks more about fasting than Jesus did. In 1 Corinthians 7, he says, "Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." Of course, then he turns around in 1 Corinthians 8 and says, "Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do." He caps it off in chapter 10 by reminding us that, "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

So, Jesus doesn't command it. Paul kind of does, but also doesn't. (This is apostolic authority, by the way.) Traditionally, people are encouraged to fast and pray. It's a good idea. It's helpful to many.

But it is not a command. At no time should you shame someone for fasting. And at no time should you shame someone for not fasting. We're adults. Engage in a rational discussion.

I'm now going to use Train & Multiply to back me up. The following passages come from T&M booklet "The Authority of the Bible."

"Only God has the authority to command his church. It is good to follow the apostles' example where their practices are useful in your local culture, but it is not required to do so. Jesus did not command fasting, yet it was practiced by apostolic churches (Acts 13:3, 14:23). Some churches do so today, but you have no authority to insist on it. It was an apostolic practice, not a command."

Thus endeth today's lesson.