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Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus teaches His disciples in Matthew 6:16-18 about the proper way to fast, which is going without food for a lengthy time of devotion in prayer as to draw closer to God, showing that drawing closer to God is our most important focus and gives us spiritual nourishment that overrides physical food. Jesus teaches that this time of fasting should be done in a “secret place” (Matthew 6:18) as to indicate not being done simply so others may see you, but that only God needs to know about this personal time between you and He. Jesus teaches that putting on an appearance so others will know that you are fasting is only to gain attention for oneself and in so is seeking self-righteousness. Jesus teaches that fasting in the “secret place” (Matthew 6:18), where only God knows of your intentions, will prove one’s sincerity to God and He will reward this person for being true and faithful to Him.
This is a command and example of the proper way to implement fasting in our devotions to God.
This is a promise of the reward one will receive from God for fasting in sincerity to God.
Fasting should not be an excuse for a way to diet or lose a few pounds. Fasting is a sincere devotional time in seeking to draw closer to God in one’s personal relationship with Him. Our ways of devotion to God have been loosened in an attempt to please man in our busy hustle and bustle schedules. Please do not get me wrong; it is a result of fasting that one will lose a few pounds, but the reason for fasting should not be, “to lose a few pounds.” Our devotion to God and desire to draw closer to Him should be a sincere desire from the call of God’s Holy Spirit in our heart to bring glory to Him through seeking His will for our lives. This is a good thing and should be sought by us all. But let’s keep focused on our salvation in Christ Jesus that makes it all possible and allows us to truly experience the love of God in our lives.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that fasting is not simply a checked box on a list of things to do today, but that fasting is a sincere desire to set aside a time of drawing closer to You through our faith and salvation that You have provided for us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, amen.