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FASTING - to abstain from eating food

Fasting is never commanded, except 1) in relationship to certain Old Testament Jewish ceremonies, or 2) within a context that isn't applicable to all people. Yet it is given as a good example to follow, under the right circumstances. Sometimes fasting has been the precursor to spiritual revival or some other great work of God. There are, however, warnings against hypocritical, insincere fasting. 

Below are two verse lists. With either one, you will have to look up the passages and find out what they say. After that, you may wish to put your findings into some type of orderly arrangement. 

VERSE LIST #1 is a quick overview of selected passages; VERSE LIST #2 is a more detailed examination of what the Bible says about fasting. 


VERSE LIST #1: A Quick Overview of Selected Passages About Fasting

 


VERSE LIST #2: A More In-Depth Study About Fasting

 

EXAMPLES
These examples include both good and bad instances of fasting. Note that an "example" of fasting is NOT the same as a "command" to fast.

 

COMMAND TO FAST
Note that each instance is given within a specific context. There is no command among these verses, which is necessarily applicable outside those specific circumstances. Also, in some instances, such as in 1 Kings 21, the fasting was NOT an example of righteous conduct!

 

MISC. COMMENTS FROM THE PSALMS

  

RESTRICTIONS, QUALIFICATIONS, WARNINGS
In and of itself, fasting is NOT a guarantee of spirituality!

 
 

Dennis Hinks © 1999