Matthew 6:16-18 NIV
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting isn't a spiritual discipline I practice a lot. I have a small amount of experience with it and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Fasting is when a believer voluntarily abstains from food for spiritual purposes like: focusing on prayer or ministry to the needs of others; seeking deliverance, protection, or guidance; or expressing concern, grief, humility, repentance, or worship. Fasting, in the early Methodist movement, was a recommended means of grace. John Wesley referred to fasting as a work of piety, a means to deepen spiritually. He fasted every Friday for most of his life, abstaining from food from morning until evening. For a 13 year period he fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. He felt that fasting was a necessary spiritual practice for anyone serious about growing in God's grace and required weekly fasting of the early Methodist pastors.
Nowadays a non-Christian is twice as likely to fast as a Christian. The practice is lost on us for the most part. Yet one of the fundamental places to learn the way of Christian discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount, contains teachings from our Lord on this very subject. Not once did Jesus speak on the topics in the forefront of the culture wars these days. Might we renew our interest in what Jesus spoke about?
One might argue that Jesus was speaking to Jews who were in the habit of fasting as part of their religious cultural traditions. They recognized national fasts to remember key events in the life of Israel. But Jesus saw that their fasting had become just another means to promote spiritual pride. He taught his disciples the true purpose of the fast...that is one's relationship with God. Like charity and prayer, if you practice these things to gain approval and accolades, you are misusing the gift of these means of grace. You'll find that you are missing the true reward, which is a deeper, more intimate and life-giving relationship with your creator.
Let's look at what Jesus teaches and apply it to our time and place. First Jesus says don't mourn and look disheveled, advertising to everyone the fact that you are fasting. Instead put oil in your head and wash your face, meaning groom yourself so that you don't stand out. He's not saying dress to the hilt. He's saying that some make a demonstration of their fasting for others to notice. He is saying, don't advertise the fact that you are fasting. When you are fasting dress the same way you always do. Groom yourself the way you always do, so as not to draw attention to yourself.
This opens up a whole other topic. Early Christians were exhorted to dress modestly. Today, however, it is not unusual to see people dress in finery, or in themed clothing that promote a musical entertainer, food, film or other popular icons. I own over a dozen Star Wars themed shirts, a hat and a pair of sneakers. If I wear those to worship on Sunday, what does that say about me? It could simply be that I like Star Wars and want others to know it. There's no real harm in that, but is that why I congregate with others in the sanctuary? No! I'm there to worship God and give the Lord the praise, honor, thanks and glory due Him. My clothing ought not take anyone's attention away from our chief purpose. So if I dress to attract others to me, I'm potentially steering them away from God. In the case of fasting our appearance should not draw people's attention to the fact that we are fasting. That could become a source of spiritual pride. Instead be private, even secretive about it. Only you and the Lord need know.
Plan your fast in advance. Decide the spiritual purpose for the fast. Do you desire guidance? Is there something you want God to do, some great work in the life of the church or community? Be clear about what you hope to gain from the fast. If weight loss is your goal, you are only dieting. A diet, even not eating for a period of days to jump start your weight loss goal, is not a spiritual discipline.
Don't schedule meals with co-workers or friends during that time. This keeps you from having to announce you are fasting when everyone else is ordering from the menu. I definitely did not think ahead when I did a Daniel Fast. That recent popular spiritual discipline is not truly a fast, but more abstinence from meat, dairy, other animal products, and processed foods with chemical preservatives and added sugars. My wife and I both work so cooking at home is not always practical. During the Daniel Fast I had to order a special vegetable plate outside the menu. Often I felt compelled to explain myself. We thought it worthwhile to celebrate our Christian spiritual practice, but I was certainly not following Jesus' guidance here.
The purpose of fasting and other spiritual disciplines is to give you a deeper relationship with God and open up the fountain of living water within you. May grace be given you more and more as you seek first God's Kingdom and His righteousness.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting isn't a spiritual discipline I practice a lot. I have a small amount of experience with it and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Fasting is when a believer voluntarily abstains from food for spiritual purposes like: focusing on prayer or ministry to the needs of others; seeking deliverance, protection, or guidance; or expressing concern, grief, humility, repentance, or worship. Fasting, in the early Methodist movement, was a recommended means of grace. John Wesley referred to fasting as a work of piety, a means to deepen spiritually. He fasted every Friday for most of his life, abstaining from food from morning until evening. For a 13 year period he fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. He felt that fasting was a necessary spiritual practice for anyone serious about growing in God's grace and required weekly fasting of the early Methodist pastors.
Nowadays a non-Christian is twice as likely to fast as a Christian. The practice is lost on us for the most part. Yet one of the fundamental places to learn the way of Christian discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount, contains teachings from our Lord on this very subject. Not once did Jesus speak on the topics in the forefront of the culture wars these days. Might we renew our interest in what Jesus spoke about?
One might argue that Jesus was speaking to Jews who were in the habit of fasting as part of their religious cultural traditions. They recognized national fasts to remember key events in the life of Israel. But Jesus saw that their fasting had become just another means to promote spiritual pride. He taught his disciples the true purpose of the fast...that is one's relationship with God. Like charity and prayer, if you practice these things to gain approval and accolades, you are misusing the gift of these means of grace. You'll find that you are missing the true reward, which is a deeper, more intimate and life-giving relationship with your creator.
Let's look at what Jesus teaches and apply it to our time and place. First Jesus says don't mourn and look disheveled, advertising to everyone the fact that you are fasting. Instead put oil in your head and wash your face, meaning groom yourself so that you don't stand out. He's not saying dress to the hilt. He's saying that some make a demonstration of their fasting for others to notice. He is saying, don't advertise the fact that you are fasting. When you are fasting dress the same way you always do. Groom yourself the way you always do, so as not to draw attention to yourself.
This opens up a whole other topic. Early Christians were exhorted to dress modestly. Today, however, it is not unusual to see people dress in finery, or in themed clothing that promote a musical entertainer, food, film or other popular icons. I own over a dozen Star Wars themed shirts, a hat and a pair of sneakers. If I wear those to worship on Sunday, what does that say about me? It could simply be that I like Star Wars and want others to know it. There's no real harm in that, but is that why I congregate with others in the sanctuary? No! I'm there to worship God and give the Lord the praise, honor, thanks and glory due Him. My clothing ought not take anyone's attention away from our chief purpose. So if I dress to attract others to me, I'm potentially steering them away from God. In the case of fasting our appearance should not draw people's attention to the fact that we are fasting. That could become a source of spiritual pride. Instead be private, even secretive about it. Only you and the Lord need know.
Plan your fast in advance. Decide the spiritual purpose for the fast. Do you desire guidance? Is there something you want God to do, some great work in the life of the church or community? Be clear about what you hope to gain from the fast. If weight loss is your goal, you are only dieting. A diet, even not eating for a period of days to jump start your weight loss goal, is not a spiritual discipline.
Don't schedule meals with co-workers or friends during that time. This keeps you from having to announce you are fasting when everyone else is ordering from the menu. I definitely did not think ahead when I did a Daniel Fast. That recent popular spiritual discipline is not truly a fast, but more abstinence from meat, dairy, other animal products, and processed foods with chemical preservatives and added sugars. My wife and I both work so cooking at home is not always practical. During the Daniel Fast I had to order a special vegetable plate outside the menu. Often I felt compelled to explain myself. We thought it worthwhile to celebrate our Christian spiritual practice, but I was certainly not following Jesus' guidance here.
The purpose of fasting and other spiritual disciplines is to give you a deeper relationship with God and open up the fountain of living water within you. May grace be given you more and more as you seek first God's Kingdom and His righteousness.
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