Topic(s):  Christian Life

Todd Clippard

The New Testament is God's will for men today. There is no command in the New Testament for fasting. However, there are many examples of people in the New Testament who practiced such.

It is apparent the Jews practiced fasting, for in Luke 18:12, the Pharisee proudly announced his practice of fasting. In Matthew 6, Jesus gave instruction one's personal conduct when fasting: "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 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 6:16-18 KJV).

Later in the ministry of Jesus, He was approached by some of John's disciples who asked, "Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?" (Matthew 9:14 KJV). Jesus replied that His disciples would fast after His departure.

It appears as though fasting was practiced in times of great difficulty or in times when special service to the Lord was intended.

In Acts 13:2-3, the early disciples were ministering and fasting, and after the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to His appointed work, they fasted and prayed.

In 1 Corinthians 7:5, Christian spouses were commanded not to keep themselves from one another except it be for prayer and fasting, and then only for a brief time.

There is no command or binding example to the church to fast, so the practice cannot be bound on men today. However, fasting may be practiced by Christians if they so choose.