2. May have even fasted for the cause of the Lord
Have you ever fasted?
If answered “no” – probably have, but didn’t consider that you were “fasting”
May have even fasted for the cause of the Lord

3. What Does The Bible Say About
Fasting?
Why was fasting practiced?
Is it commanded today?
Why do we not fast?
Is it that we do fast today?
What, if any, regulations are given about fasting?

4. Defined
nesteia (νηστεία, 3521), “a fasting, fast” (from ne, a negative prefix, and esthio, “to eat”), is used (a) of voluntary abstinence from food, Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23 (some mss. have it in Matt. 17:21 and Mark 9:29); “fasting” had become a common practice among Jews, and was continued among Christians; in Acts 27:9, “the Fast” refers to the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16:29; that time of the year would be one of dangerous sailing; (b) of involuntary abstinence (perhaps voluntary is included), consequent upon trying circumstances, 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27.
Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, pp ).
Fast: “to cause to abstain entirely from or limit food; put on a fast”
Dictionary.com

5. What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament

6. Here a fast for a day – established by the Lord
In The Old Testament
Day of Atonement
Lev. 16:29-31 – “afflict your souls” (“shall fast” ESV fn)
Lev. 23:27-32 – “afflict your souls”
Isa. 58:3, 5 – “afflict souls” = fasting
By the time of Jeremiah – called “fasting day” (36:6)
By NT times – call “the Fast” (Acts 27:9)
Here a fast for a day – established by the Lord

7. In The Old Testament Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)

8. In The Old Testament Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)
Four Annual Fast (Zech. 8:19)
4th month – when wall of Jer. broken (Jer. 52:6-7)
5th month – when temple was burnt (Jer. 52:12-13; 2 Kings 25:8-9)
7th month – Insurrection against Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1-3)
10th month – Nebuchadnezzar’s final siege against Jer. (Jer. 52:4-5; 2 Kings 25;1)
“The observance of these fasts seems, by the Lord’s answer, to have been neither enjoined nor forbidden…” (Pulpit)

9. In The Old Testament Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)
Four Annual Fast (Zech. 8:19)
Examples
Moses (Exo. 34:28;Deut. 9:18)
David (2 Sam. 1:12; 12:12-23)
Elijah (1 Kings 19:8)
Daniel (Dan. 10:2-3)
Jews in exile (Zech. 7:1-7)
Jehoiakim (Jer. 36:6, 9)
People of Ninevah (Jonah 3:5)
Esther and the Jews (Esther 4:16)

10. Fasting Practiced by the Jews
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Fasting Practiced by the Jews
From OT Influence

11. In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting
Matt. 6:16-18 – not done to be seen of men
Matt. 9:14-15 – when he is gone
Parallel: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-35
Fast when mourning
Point: when it is appropriate (i.e. David – 2 Sam. 12:12-23)

12. In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting Examples:
Jesus (Matt. 4:1-ff)
Disciples at Antioch (Acts 13:3)
Early churches (Acts 14:23)
Paul
2 Cor. 6:5 – distress
2 Cor. 11:27
Acts 27:33
Pharisees (Luke 5:33; 18:12)

13. In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting Examples:
Paul’s Instruction on Separation (1 Cor. 7:5)
Not commanded to separate – but only under these conditions
Thus, no injunction to fast
Question Minority Text –vs- Majority Text – “fasting” only appears in KJV & NKJV

14. Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes

15. Causes
Doom – Calamity
1 Kings 21:27 – Ahab when he heard condemnation (v. 24)
Joel 1:14; 2:12 – Joel pronounced doom (2:11)
Judges 20:26 – At war with Benjamites & great loss
1 Sam. 28:20 – Saul over the doom he faced (vv )

16. Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow
1 Sam. 31:13 – Men of Jabesh over Saul’s death
1 Kings 19:8 – Elijah fleeing from Jezebel
2 Sam. 1:11-12 – David over Saul & Jonathan’s death

17. Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin
2 Sam. 12:16-23 – cf. v David
1 Sam. 7:6 – Samuel judged & lead in fast
Acts 9:9 – Saul realized he was in sin
Jonah 3:5 – Nineveh repented

18. Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
Humility (Psa. 35:13)

19. Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dan. 9:3
Pleading with the Lord – turn away his wrath

20. Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dedication to the Lord’s Work
Matt. 4:2 – Jesus fasted
Acts 13:2-3; 14:23 – Focused on preaching & eldership
2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27 – Paul fasted in his work

21. Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dedication to the Lord’s Work
Concern (2 Sam. 12:12-23)

22. Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & Conclusions

23. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Annual (Acts 27:9)
Weekly (Luke 18:12)
Seven days (1 Sam. 31:13)
Three days and nights (Esther 4:15-16)
All day (Lev. 16:23)
Part of a day (2 Sam. 1:12)

24. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT
Day of Atonement commanded by God (Lev. 16)
Other fasts seem to be either voluntary, customary or instituted by man (i.e. King)

25. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
Not a command to fast in NT
Not forbidden or condemned in NT
Thus, allowed or permitted - voluntary
No instructions for fasting:
No time given
No instruction for observance
No description for how long it should last
Thus, would be determined by each individual and each circumstance

26. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
Are Benefits to Fasting
Else, why did so many do it?
Health benefits (cleansing effect)
Help hone a keener edge on self-discipline (i.e. Mt 4)
Allows greater focus on spiritual

27. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect
Mark 2:18-20; 2 Sam. 12:16-23
Circumstances cause it – rather than planned

28. Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect
We do Fast Today
In times of sorrow – either can’t or will not eat
Involved in work to the degree don’t eat
Others – set aside a certain time to fast

29. Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & Conclusions
Warnings

30. Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Isa. 58 – Fasted, yet pursued their own pleasure
May feel deeply spiritual – while living in sin

31. Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display
Matt. 6:16-18
If practiced – should not be flaunted before others
If practiced – should not make others feel obligated

32. Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display
Must Not Allow it to Ignite a Spirit of Smugness or Self -Righteousness
Luke 18:9-14
Easy to feel spiritually superior over those who may not practice it

33. Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & Conclusions
Warnings