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Christian fasting—what is it?
Great question! Here's the answer:
Fasting means giving something up for a certain amount of time to focus on God more. God never specifically tells Christians to fast, but fasting from some things can be helpful to our lives.
When we think of fasting, we normally think of refraining from eating food for a period of time. While this type of fasting is often spoken of in the Bible, it is not commanded of believers today. However, fasting can be helpful. We see in the book of Acts that the believers fasted before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23).
Fasting doesn't have to only be about food. We can fast from anything that is distracting us from Jesus. Maybe this is your video games, the television, or a stressful situation. Whenever we focus on one of these things too much, they make us lose sight of Jesus. In turn, this can cause us to overlook Jesus and not trust Him. If something is causing you to be distracted from Jesus, consider fasting from it.
Give up playing video games, watching television, or stressing over a certain situation. Fast from whatever is taking up a big percentage of your time. When you fast from this particular thing, start spending time with Jesus instead. This will help you to focus on the Lord and keep your eyes on Him, rather than the things of this world.
Bible Truth
“When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces look very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. But when you go without eating, put olive oil on your head. Wash your face. Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can’t be seen, will know it. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
“The Lord announces to his people, ‘Return to me with all your heart. There is still time. Do not eat any food. Weep and mourn’” (Joel 2:12).
“Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
