09/27/2026
WHY CHRISTIANS MUST FAST
The Importance of Fasting and the Dangers of Neglecting It
«“When you fast…” — Matthew 6:16»
Fasting is not a religious tradition invented by human beings. It is a biblical spiritual discipline that appears throughout the Word of God.
Jesus did not say “if you fast.” He said:
«“When you fast…” — Matthew 6:16»
This shows that fasting was expected to be part of the spiritual life of His followers.
Fasting is not about starving the body. It is about humbling ourselves before God, denying the flesh, seeking His presence, strengthening our prayer life, and setting our hearts completely upon Him.
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1. FASTING HUMbles US BEFORE GOD
One of the primary purposes of fasting is to humble ourselves before the Lord.
David said:
«“I humbled myself with fasting.” — Psalm 35:13»
And Ezra proclaimed:
«“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” — Ezra 8:23»
Fasting teaches us that we are dependent upon God.
When we put aside food and other legitimate pleasures for a period of time and dedicate ourselves to prayer, we are saying:
“Lord, I need You more than I need anything else.”
Fasting breaks self-reliance and turns our attention back to God.
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2. FASTING BRINGS US INTO DEEPER PRAYER
Fasting and prayer are repeatedly connected in Scripture.
Jesus said:
«“This kind can come out only by prayer.” — Mark 9:29»
The disciples and early church also fasted when seeking God's direction.
Acts 13:2 says:
«“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”»
Notice what happened while they were fasting and worshipping:
The Holy Spirit gave direction.
Fasting does not manipulate God.
It does not force God to do what we want.
Rather, fasting helps us quiet ourselves, seek God sincerely, and become more attentive to His will.
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3. FASTING HELPS US SEEK GOD WITH OUR WHOLE HEART
There are times when ordinary prayer is not enough for the seriousness of what we are seeking God about.
Joel 2:12 says:
«“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”»
Notice the words:
“With all your heart.”
Biblical fasting is not merely about going without food.
It is about returning to God with the whole heart.
God wants more than religious activity.
He wants our hearts.
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4. FASTING HELPS US OVERCOME THE DOMINANCE OF THE FLESH
Our physical appetites are powerful.
Fasting teaches us that our bodies do not have to control us.
Jesus Himself fasted.
Matthew 4:1–2 says:
«“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”»
Jesus demonstrated the importance of spiritual discipline before beginning His public ministry.
And when Satan tempted Him concerning food, Jesus answered:
«“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4»
Food is important.
But God is more important.
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5. FASTING HELPS US SEEK GOD'S DIRECTION
There are moments when we need God's direction concerning our families, ministry, decisions, responsibilities and future.
The early church understood this.
Acts 14:23 says:
«“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.”»
They did not simply make decisions according to human wisdom.
They prayed.
They fasted.
They sought God.
This is a powerful lesson for the Church today.
Before making important decisions, we should learn to say:
“Lord, what is Your will?”
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6. FASTING CAN ACCOMPANY REPENTANCE
Throughout Scripture, God's people fasted when they recognized the seriousness of sin and wanted to return to God.
Jonah 3:5 says:
«“The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.”»
Joel 2:17 says:
«“Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar.”»
Fasting can therefore accompany genuine repentance.
But we must understand something important:
Fasting without repentance is not pleasing to God.
God does not want an empty religious exercise.
He wants a changed heart.
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7. GOD CARES ABOUT THE HEART BEHIND THE FAST
Isaiah 58 gives one of the strongest teachings about fasting.
God rebuked people who were fasting while continuing to oppress others and live wrongly.
Isaiah 58:6 says:
«“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”»
True fasting must affect the way we live.
If we fast but continue in hatred, bitterness, immorality, dishonesty, pride, oppression and unforgiveness, we have missed the heart of biblical fasting.
The stomach may be empty while the heart remains full of sin.
God wants both:
A disciplined body and a surrendered heart.
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8. FASTING STRENGTHENS OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD
When we fast, we are reminded of our limitations.
We cannot sustain ourselves without God.
Every breath comes from Him.
Every day is sustained by His mercy.
Fasting therefore becomes a declaration:
“My help comes from the LORD.”
Psalm 121:2 says:
«“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”»
Fasting moves our attention away from our own strength and toward God's strength.
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9. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRISTIANS NEGLECT FASTING?
We must be careful here.
The Bible does not teach that every Christian who fails to fast will automatically experience a particular punishment or that fasting is a way of earning salvation.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9).
However, neglecting biblical spiritual disciplines can have serious spiritual consequences.
1. We can become spiritually undisciplined.
1 Corinthians 9:27 says:
«“I discipline my body and keep it under control.”»
A Christian who continually refuses spiritual discipline can become increasingly controlled by bodily desires and worldly distractions.
2. We can become less intentional in seeking God.
Jeremiah 29:13 says:
«“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”»
Fasting creates intentional space to seek God.
When we constantly prioritize everything else, our relationship with God can become neglected.
3. We may miss opportunities for deeper prayer and spiritual reflection.
Acts 13:2–3 shows the church fasting and praying before receiving direction from the Holy Spirit.
Neglecting such disciplines can mean neglecting opportunities to deliberately seek God's direction.
4. We can become increasingly dominated by worldly appetites.
Philippians 3:19 warns about those:
«“Their god is their stomach.”»
Fasting teaches us that our appetites are not our master.
5. We can become spiritually complacent.
Jesus repeatedly warned His followers to remain watchful.
Matthew 26:41 says:
«“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”»
Fasting can be one of the disciplines through which we deliberately strengthen our watchfulness and prayer.
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10. FASTING IS NOT A WAY OF BUYING GOD'S FAVOUR
This is extremely important.
We do not fast because we can manipulate God.
We do not fast because God becomes our debtor.
We do not fast because fasting automatically guarantees that God will give us whatever we ask.
Fasting is not a spiritual transaction:
“I fasted, therefore God must do this.”
No.
We fast because we want God.
Our greatest reward is not merely receiving something from God's hand.
Our greatest reward is knowing God Himself.
Jesus said:
«“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33»
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11. FASTING MUST BE DONE WITH THE RIGHT HEART
Jesus warned against fasting for public recognition.
Matthew 6:16–18 says:
«“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do... But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father.”»
This is powerful.
Fasting is primarily between you and God.
We do not fast to impress people.
We do not fast so people will call us spiritual.
We do not fast to compete with other Christians.
We fast because we are hungry for God.
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12. THE GREAT PURPOSE OF FASTING
At the deepest level, fasting is about one thing:
DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD.
James 4:8 says:
«“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”»
Fasting helps us remove distractions and deliberately dedicate ourselves to seeking Him.
When we fast, we say:
“Lord, I want You.”
“Lord, I need You.”
“Lord, speak to me.”
“Lord, search my heart.”
“Lord, reveal anything in me that displeases You.”
“Lord, let Your will be done in my life.”
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CONCLUSION
Church, we must recover the biblical discipline of fasting.
We live in a generation surrounded by distractions.
People have time for entertainment.
Time for social media.
Time for business.
Time for conversations.
Time for food.
Time for everything else.
But we must ask ourselves:
Do we have time to seek God?
Fasting reminds us that God must not become an afterthought.
Jesus said:
«“When you fast…” — Matthew 6:16»
Not if you fast.
When.
Let us therefore fast with humility.
Let us fast with prayer.
Let us fast with repentance.
Let us fast with sincerity.
Let us fast while seeking God's Word.
Let us fast while forgiving others.
Let us fast while turning away from sin.
And above everything else, let us fast because we desire God Himself.
FASTING DOES NOT CHANGE GOD; IT CHANGES OUR POSTURE BEFORE GOD.
FASTING DOES NOT PURCHASE SALVATION; CHRIST ALONE SAVES.
FASTING DOES NOT MANIPULATE GOD; IT TEACHES US TO DEPEND UPON HIM.
FASTING DOES NOT REPLACE OBEDIENCE; IT SHOULD LEAD US INTO DEEPER OBEDIENCE.
May the Church return to prayer.
May the Church return to fasting.
May the Church return to repentance.
May the Church return to holiness.
May we become a people who do not merely seek God's blessings, but who seek God Himself.
«“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” — Joel 2:12»
Amen.
