The Real Meaning Behind Fasting

Moreover, when 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. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:16-18, NKJV

Did you ever wonder who the hypocrites were that Jesus was talking about or why he called them hypocrites? In most cases, he was talking about the Pharisees. There were regular fast times (Leviticus 16:29-31). However, the Pharisees added two fast days God did not command. Monday and Thursday were designated to allow for public display and piety. Luke 18:9-14 even mentions these two days of fasting. The Pharisees regarded the practice of fasting as praiseworthy and appeared in the synagogues with sad looks on their faces and wearing mourning garb. They did this to show the people that their “righteousness” and piety were far superior to everyone else.

Jesus said in response to the Pharisees' actions to "anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting." Fasting, therefore, is a private issue between you and God. The only fast God commanded as a public display was once a year on the Day of Atonement. People did fast privately, but it was between them and God. Such as when Jesus fasted when he was in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-11).

So why fast at all? What was the point of it? Did God answer the prayers of those who fasted more quickly than those who did not? Was it some kind of "secret" that got God's attention quicker? For some people, yes, it was. Just listen to God's words about those who fasted to gain something from Him.

"Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet they seek Me daily,
And delight to know My ways,
As a nation that did righteousness,
And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.
They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;
They take delight in approaching God.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?

Isaiah 58:1-5, NKJV

When it gets right down to it, God sees the heart of everyone. He knows our motives before we even open our mouths or set out to do anything. The Israelites let God know that they were a nation that obeyed His laws and took delight in approaching Him. They reminded God of "how great they were" and, in the next breath, complained that they didn't get what they wanted after they "afflicted their souls" (fasted). Truly their hearts were not in the right place. They were like the Pharisee whom Jesus spoke of in Luke 18:9-14, who bragged to God about how great his deeds were and then expected God to honour him for them.

But what is true fasting all about? This is what God says fasting should look like:

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:6-11, NKJV

Jesus carried this teaching through to his disciples. He wanted to see a change of character in those who followed him. He taught the need for purity and simplicity of motive in our fasting. Yes, there were times when fasting was needed (Mark 9:25-29), and yes, private fasts were observed by Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) and his disciples. Paul fasted to seek God's guidance (Acts 14:23). But true fasting is about putting the needs of others before your own: to feed the hungry, house the poor, clothe the naked, and help those less fortunate. If you can only afford one meal, deny yourself and give that meal to a homeless person. That is true fasting. 

Denying oneself food for a day to elevate yourself spiritually has no value. The value comes when you genuinely deny yourself for the sake of another, not so that you can be edified but so that someone else can be. That's true fasting, and it aligns with what Jesus taught us about denying ourselves (Luke 9:23) and loving others (John 13:34).