FATHER SEES: FASTING SECRETLY

June 6, 2023

Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18 (CJB) “Now when you fast, don’t go around looking miserable, like the hypocrites. They make sour faces so that people will know they are fasting. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already! But you, when you fast, wash your face and groom yourself, so that no one will know you are fasting — except your Father, who is with you in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

SUSIE: Note that Jesus says “when you fast” which presupposes that His disciples will fast at some point. However, this is not a command to fast but rather instruction on how to behave when fasting so as not to draw attention to oneself and parade one’s piety to gain recognition from others. Like giving and praying, fasting is to be done privately to be seen by the Father, not men.

6:16, 17 when you fast. This indicates that fasting is assumed to be a normal part of one’s spiritual life (cf. 1 Cor. 7:5). Fasting is associated with sadness (9:14, 15), prayer (17:21), charity (Is. 58:3–6), and seeking the Lord’s will (Acts 13:2, 3; 14:23).

NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition
Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

6:16 If your goal in fasting is for other people to celebrate how spiritual you look, then their approval will be your only reward.

CSB Tony Evans Study Bible
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers.

SUSAN: Fasting is not to be done for an audience except for the Audience of One, our Father! Don’t worry about looking good in front of others, but fast, give, and pray to draw near to the Father and bring Him pleasure.

SUSIE: Below is an excellent chart taken from Charles Swindoll’s commentary:

SEVEN BENEFITS OF FASTING

  • Fasting helps us concentrate attention on issues that require prayer.
  • Fasting enables us to rearrange our priorities in order to focus on things that really matter.
  • Fasting encourages us to examine our lives and inspect our motives.
  • Fasting assists us when we are seeking the Lord’s will.
  • Fasting strengthens our self-control and discipline.
  • Fasting brings us back to basics and simplifies our lives.
  • Fasting equips us to recover from grief and endure sorrow.

Swindoll’s Living Insights: New Testament Commentary, Matthew 1-15, Charles R. Swindoll

SUSAN: Follow the link below to watch a sermon on fasting by Randy Phillips. Just 30 minutes and well worth your time: