Probably, the key determinant of whether or not Christians should fast (i.e., abstain from eating food for a period of time) is whether or not Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament instructed followers of Christ (i.e., Christians) to do so. We will consider what New Testament scriptures say in this regard.
[Note: When we quote Scripture in this article, we use the wording in the New King James Version of the Bible.]
Matthew 4:1-2: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
These verses of scripture may suggest that Jesus Christ was teaching by personal example that fasting is desirable under certain circumstances, such as when seeking to draw closer to God. However, this scripture does not instruct Christ’s followers to fast.
Matthew 6:16a: [Jesus Christ tells His disciples] “[W]hen you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting.”
With regard to this scripture, Jesus Christ was clearly expecting His disciples to fast, and He was instructing them not to make it obvious to others when they were fasting. Furthermore, Jesus indicated that the disciples would be rewarded by God for fasting. However, He did not tell them that they should fast.
Matthew 9:14-15: Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Him [Jesus Christ], saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” [Note: Both Mark 2:18-20 and Luke 5:33-35 provide accounts that are similar to Matthew 9:14-15.]
In this scripture, Jesus Christ tells the followers of John the Baptist that there is no need for His disciples to fast as long as He is still with them, but fasting would be appropriate for them after He is no longer with them (i.e., after He ascends to heaven). Nevertheless, Jesus did not indicate that it would be necessary for His disciples to fast, even after He ascended to heaven.
Matthew 17:20b-21: [In responding to His inner circle of 12 disciples as to why they could not cast out a demon,] Jesus Christ said to them, “[A]ssuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” [Note: The account of this situation in Mark 9:29 is similar to Matthew 17:20b-21.]
In addition to the necessity of faith and prayer, Matthew 17:20b-21 indicates that fasting is also necessary when Christ’s followers need to confront certain kinds of demons. There is no inference in this scripture that fasting is necessary otherwise.
Acts 13:2-3: As they [prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch] ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
It is not clear if fasting was a significant factor in leading the Holy Spirit to appear at this meeting of the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. However, it seems to be clear that these men believed that fasting, as well as prayer, is important for Christians when seeking spiritual guidance from God.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible says in regard to Acts 13:2-3, “Religious fasting is of use in our ministering to the Lord, both as a sign of our humiliation and a means of our mortification.” (Webster’s Dictionary defines “mortification” as “the control of physical desires and passions by self-denial, fasting, etc.”) Regardless of the significance of fasting in this particular situation, this scripture does not instruct Christ’s followers to fast on a regular basis.
Acts 14:23: So when they [Paul and Barnabas] had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Paul and Barnabas evidently believed that both prayer and fasting were important before making a crucial decision, such as committing to the Lord the elders in the churches. Again, there is no indication that Christians should fast regularly.
Al Gilbert, a former Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, stated in a sermon that Christians should fast in order to focus on Christ and His kingdom. He added that the benefits of fasting include experiencing God/Christ in a special way; having a better relationship with God/Christ; and receiving increased direction, clarity, and joy from God.
Gary Chapman, Ph.D., previously a Senior Associate Pastor at the same church, made the following comments regarding fasting:
In the Bible we often read of prayer without fasting, but we never read of fasting without prayer. Fasting can be an expression of grief (2 Samuel 3:35). It can be an expression of sincerity in seeking God’s help (2 Chronicles 20: 3-4). It can be an expression of devotion to God (Luke 2:36-37). But most commonly, fasting is an expression of repentance and is accompanied by prayers of confession (1 Samuel 7:5-6; Jonah 3:5-9; Nehemiah 9:1-6).
Should Christians fast? The answer is yes. In the midst of grief as we share our pain and sorrow with God; as an expression of our sincerity when we are seeking God’s help; as an act of devotion to God in worship; and when accompanied by sincere prayers of repentance for our sins.
When the people of God corporately turn to him in fasting and prayer, God always extends mercy (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Conclusion
Apparently, it is not necessary for Christians to make fasting a regular practice, since the Bible does not clearly instruct Christians to fast regularly. Therefore, there are no definite biblical guidelines as to what the frequency or duration of fasting should be. In contrast, the Bible instructs Christians to pray without ceasing. [To learn more about what the Bible says about praying, click on “Uncertainties Regarding Prayer.”]
However, it is important to keep in mind that scriptures such as Matthew 4:1-2; 17:20-21 and Acts 13:2-3; 14:23 indicate that fasting may be especially beneficial when dealing with important spiritual matters such as when we are seeking God’s help or expressing repentance for our flagrant sins.