Lesson Fifty-Six: Fasting
56.1 Fasting and prayer go together. The original idea of fasting was repentance. God had commanded the people of Israel to "afflict their souls" on the Day of Atonement - mourning over their sins. To them the words "afflict your souls" meant fasting.
Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. Leviticus 23:27
56.2 In obedience to this command the Jews fasted. Fasting and sorrow went together as the people prayed on the Day of Atonement, asking God to turn away the penalty of sin. People often put ashes on their faces to show their deep sorrow and remorse.
56.3 Jesus made no objection to this practice. If the people understood "afflict your souls" to mean fasting, sorrow, and ashes, He could not scold them for their obedience. The Day of Atonement was a public observance commanded by God. Since everyone participated, no one was putting on a show for anyone else.
56.4 But Jesus did object to the private practice of the Pharisees. The Day of Atonement was only one day a year. The Pharisees were in the habit of fasting on every Monday and Thursday to show everyone else how holy they were. They would walk around with long, sad faces. In fact, they made their faces so sad that Jesus called it a disfigurement. It was a terrible hypocrisy so completely opposite of God's original intent that it was the worst sort of mockery, conceit, and self delusion.
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
56.5 There is nothing wrong with fasting of course, especially if it is done in deep repentance and sorrow over sin. But if it is done as a public show to convince people how holy you are, the motives are wrong. God is not interested. Your reward is the mere praise of men.
56.7 On the other hand, if you really are praying and repenting to God, your fasting is just between you and Him (the secret place of seeking the heart of God). It is better to keep it that way. He will see how sincere you are and reward you openly.
Discussion: What is the reward of fasting in secret?
Memory verse: