Based on Matthew 6:16-18

MEMORY TEXT:  “That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:18).

This generation has two great interests--sex and food.  As a race we cannot exist without either, but when these God-given needs and drives become all-consuming, living a holy life is impossible.  Although God has given us our bodies and planted within them certain basic instincts, we are required to keep the physical submissive to the spiritual.  The body is to be our servant, not our master.

The Bible doesn't say that fasting must be a necessary practice of the believer, but it does recommend and encourage spiritual fasting.  In most cases, a spiritual fast involves abstaining from food while focusing on prayer.  This can mean not snacking between meals, skipping one or two meals a day, not eating certain foods, or a total fast from all food for an entire day or longer.  But the practice or non-practice of fasting is a matter of complete liberty.

Although Jesus didn't specifically command us to fast, He did correct its abuses.  Spiritual fasting is not a way to earn God's favor or to pressure Him to do something for us.  Rather, the purpose of fasting is to produce a transformation in us—a clearer, more focused attention and dependence upon God, such as showing our earnestness in making a request.

Fasting is never to be a public display of spirituality—it is between us and God alone.  In fact, Jesus specifically instructed us in Matthew 6:16-18 to let our fasting be done privately and in humility, or else we forfeit the benefits.

While Old Testament fasting was a sign of mourning, New Testament believers were taught to practice fasting with a cheerful attitude.  It should be understood that spiritual fasting is never for the purpose of punishing or harming the body.

Although fasting is not necessary as far as God is concerned, it can make a definite impact on our spiritual focus by serving to break down barriers in our carnal nature that stand in the way of the Holy Spirit.  The concept of fasting is something much deeper than simply going without food and devoting oneself to prayer.  A true fast is moderation and self-denial, not only in regard to our appetites but in every aspect of our lives.

If you choose to fast, remember those who have no choice.