What is True Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)

 

WHAT IS TRUE FASTING

Matthew 6:16-18

 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

· Mathew 6:1-18 Three commonly abused religious practices – By any religious people. Giving (Our duty towards others) – Prayer – Fasting (Our duty towards God)

· Religious leaders such as teachers of the Law, Pharisees and Sadducees were condemned by Jesus for leading people to self worship instead of honouring God

Mat 23:13-33 a huge list of curses (Woe) upon the religious leaders for misleading people for their own benefit and financial gain.

James 3:1 James warns the church leaders “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

Being a leader or teacher is a proud feeling in leading others but at the same time it has danger, if one seeks self honor and gain.

The passage follows after the guidance on Prayer. The order Jesus meant is that “You can pray without fasting but can never fast without prayer” that’s the Biblical understanding about fasting.

Fasting – Commonly skipping the meal/s to concentrate on God. We try to say to God, “Lord I value you more than my food – I depend on you more than my essential survival element.”

Food is the key thing for human survival –Why do you study? – For good work / Success – Why is the good work? – To earn money – Why to earn money? – To eat food. The final step of all our endeavours ends in food and easy living. Paul says in 2 Thess. 2:10 – ““If anyone will not work, he will not eat.”

Matthew 6:16 – “When you fast” He did not say “If you fast” (Which would be an option). We understand that fasting is the duty of every Christian to concentrate on God and spiritual growth.

Pharisees fasted Monday & Thursdays (Market gathering days in ancient Israel) – It is due to the belief of Moses ascended and descended with the Ten Commandments. They counted those days more sacred than other days. At the same time those days attracted big audiences and cities crowded with people to buy and sell stuff.

Jesus while speaking about these three essential practices he meant to convey one message – Dont try to seek own glory and appreciation but to please God who rewards people in public while watching the good deeds in secret. What was the mindset of religious leaders in Fasting, Giving and Prayer?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS CONDEMNED BY JESUS IN FASTING

1.    They wanted to POSE themselves before others: (v. 16)

Posing means acting (look gloomy) – often used in photography. No genuine interest but for the sake of something or to impress somebody.

Show off – Some people act before their bosses as hard workers. Jesus calls them as “Hypocrites” who act to impress others while forgetting God sees everything plain and naked. The verse continues “disfigure their faces” we heard about “Configure” something to its best stage.

Do people need to see my devotion to God? Absolutely NO

2.    They wanted to POST themselves before others (v.16)

v. 16 continues “that their fasting may be seen by others”

Post or advertise it before others – I don’t condemn someone advertising a corporate fasting invitation for specific reasons. Individual fasting do not need to be advertised to others so that someone may inspire or appreciate their efforts.

6:2 – About giving Jesus used the same words “when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you.”

6:5 - About prayer Jesus used the words, “For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.”

Do people need to appreciate or get impressed of my fasting / Giving/ Prayer? Absolutely NO

3.    They wanted to be PRAISED by others (6:2)

Mat 6:2 the intention of those hypocrites is to be praised by others, “that they may be praised by others”

Other two acts such as prayer and fasting people need to see and praise them of their devotion or generosity. The complete aim is of self glory and praise from others.

Huge offering? long and fancy prayer? Long and strict fasting? People will praise those endeavors. It should not be the intention of a believer.

Do my giving / Prayer / Fasting be praised by others? Absolutely NO

WHAT SHOULD BE MY ATTITUDE IN FASTING?

SECRECY – Opposite to posting or advertising my duty towards god.

·  v.4 - “Your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

·  v.6 - “Pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”

·  v. 18 - Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you

God sees us in our secret places – Nothing needs to be advertised if it is true and devoted.

SANCTITY – Opposite to seeking self glory and promotion (Fasting without righteousness condemned in Zech 7:4-5 & 8-10) - “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

SINCERITY – Opposite to acting something as if nothing comes sincerely

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR WHICH I CAN FAST AND PRAY?

1.    Fasting is appropriate for mourning over some great pain or loss. (Matt 9:15; 2 Sam 12:16-24)

2.    Fasting is appropriate for mourning over sin. (Ezra 10:6; Neh. 9:1-3; Jonah 3:7-9)

3.    Fasting is appropriate for seeking God’s favor in a desperate situation (2 Sam 12:16; Esther 4:15-16; Nehemiah 1)

4.    Fasting is appropriate for seeking wisdom and revelation from God. (Daniel 9 &10; Act 13:1-3)

5.    Fasting is appropriate for preparing some great ministry or task (Lk 4:14; Acts 14:23)

6.    Fasting is appropriate for developing self-control. (1 Cor 9:27)