When You Fast: Moving Beyond Ritual to a Heart for God

 

We often hear that the Christian life should lead to being "healthy, wealthy, and wise." Many suggest that if we aren’t experiencing those things, we simply lack faith. Yet, when we look at the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a very different picture. 


He speaks of a life that is blessed not through worldly abundance, but through being poor in spirit, mourning, and being persecuted for righteousness. It is a life of paradox. 

One of the most misunderstood parts of this lifestyle is the practice of fasting. 


The Expectation: "When," Not "If" 

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches on three core pillars of Christian devotion: giving, praying, and fasting. Interestingly, He doesn't say "if you fast." He says, "When you fast." 

Just as Jesus expects His followers to give to the poor and talk to the Father in prayer, He takes it for granted that we will also practice self-denial through fasting. But the way we do it matters more than the act itself. 

Shape 

Avoiding the "Performative" Trap 

In Jesus’ time, some religious leaders made a spectacle of their devotion. They would "disfigure their faces"—intentionally looking miserable, worn out, or unkempt—so everyone would know they were fasting. 

Jesus’ warning is clear: 

"I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:16) 

If we fast to be seen by others, their "likes" or "pat on the back" is the only reward we will get. Instead, Jesus calls us to a private devotion: 

  • Wash your face. 

  • Anoint your head (look your best). 

  • Keep your fast between you and your Father. 

Shape 

What is the True Purpose of Fasting? 

Fasting is not a "magic button" to get what we want from God. It isn't a way to earn points or "buy" His favor. So, why do we do it? 

1. To Humble Ourselves 

Fasting is an external expression of an internal desire to humble ourselves before God. It involves confession and a turning away from our own self-sufficiency. 

2. To Hunger for Righteousness 

As one commentator beautifully put it: "Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible; fasting, the other with which we let loose and cast away the visible." By denying our physical hunger, we remind our souls to hunger for the things of God. 

3. To Seek God’s Guidance 

Throughout the Bible—from David and Nehemiah to the Apostles in Acts—fasting was always paired with seeking God’s face for direction and discernment. 

Shape 

Sacrifice Beyond Lent 

We are currently in the season of Lent, a time traditionally associated with sacrifice. But true Christian sacrifice isn't just about giving up chocolate or meat for a few weeks. 


It is a total commitment to follow Jesus in everything we do, say, and think. It is about realizing that we will give an account for every word we speak. Knowing this, we should be motivated to choose a life that reflects His character. 


Is Your Christianity a Checklist? 

It’s easy to turn church attendance, Bible reading, or even fasting into a lifeless routine—a checkmark on a list. But Jesus is after the motivation of your heart. Out of the heart, the habits of our lives proceed. 

Shape 

A Question for Reflection 

Are we serious enough about knowing God to deny ourselves? Are we willing to bear the "shame and reproach" of the cross to follow Him? 


Fasting is a tool to help us focus, but the goal is always Jesus. If we want people to know we are Christians, it shouldn't be because we look miserable during a fast—it should be because we live to bring glory to our Father in heaven. 


"If anyone would come after me, they must deny themself and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)


Originally delivered 2025.04.06

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