Benefits of Fasting in Spiritual Growth and Development
Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is understood to offer several benefits for spiritual growth and development, primarily by fostering humility, repentance, and a deeper focus on God. The practice is often associated with self-deprivation to concentrate on God and His will [6].
One significant benefit of fasting is its role in expressing personal humility and repentance [7]. Biblical examples show fasting as a response to national need for repentance (Leviticus 16:29-31; Nehemiah 9:1) and as a means of seeking God's intervention in times of judgment or calamity (Joel 1:14; 2:12; 2 Samuel 1:12) [4]. Fasting can also be undertaken during private afflictions (2 Samuel 12:16) or when facing approaching danger (Esther 4:16) [4]. The physical effects of fasting, such as knees buckling and the body growing lean, are described in scripture, highlighting the self-chastening aspect of the practice (Psalm 109:24) [2, 4].
Fasting is not an end in itself but a means to dispose individuals for other duties, particularly prayer [11]. It is frequently linked with prayer and spiritual retreat, serving as a spiritual discipline for cultivating intimacy with God [10]. For instance, Ezra 8:23 and Daniel 9:3 show fasting accompanied by prayer [4]. The act of fasting is meant to be directed towards God, not for human display (Zechariah 7:5; Matthew 6:18) [4]. Jesus cautioned against hypocritical fasting, where individuals disfigure their faces to be seen by others, stating that such actions have already received their reward (Matthew 6:16) [3]. Instead, fasting should be done in secret, with the expectation that God, who sees in secret, will reward it (Matthew 6:18) [1].
Beyond personal spiritual benefits, true fasting is also understood to create an awareness of injustice and oppression, prompting individuals to help the needy (Isaiah 58:6-7) [5]. This perspective suggests that fasting should lead to outward acts of compassion and justice, rather than merely self-deprivation [5]. While some traditions acknowledge that fasting and abstinence can profit "to a small extent" in reaching the inward person through the outward, the emphasis remains on the spiritual rather than the physical act itself [9]. The joy derived from such religious practices is seen as a source of strength, enabling individuals to do God's will [8].
Sources
- Matthew “so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. -- Matthew 6:18”
- Psalms “Psalms 109:24 (LEB) — My knees ⌞buckle⌟ from fasting, and my body grows lean without fat.”
- Matthew ““Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. -- Matthew 6:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fasting — Spirit of, explained -- Isa 58:6,7. Not to be made a subject of display -- Mt 6:16-18. Should be to God -- Zec 7:5; Mt 6:18. For the chastening of the soul -- Ps 69:10. For the humbling of the soul -- Ps 35:13. Observed on occasions of Judgments of God. -- Joe 1:14; 2:12. Public calamities. -- 2Sa 1:12. Afflictions of the Church. -- Lu 5:33-35. Afflictions of others. -- Ps 35:13; Da 6:18. Private afflictions. -- 2Sa 12:16. Approaching danger. -- Es 4:16. Ordination of ministers. -- Ac 13:3; 14:23. Accompanied by Prayer. -- Ezr 8:23; Da 9:3. Confession of si”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:6: 58:6-7 True fasting creates an awareness of injustice and oppression and prompts the practitioner to reach out to help the needy in their struggles (see 42:7; Matt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:3: 58:3 Fasting should be a time of self-deprivation in order to focus on God and pleasing him (Lev 16:29; see Zech 7:5). However, these people were only interested in pleasing themselves and continuing in their sins.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 9:14: 9:14 fast: Fasting expressed personal humility and repentance (2 Sam 12:16-23; Dan 9:3). It called attention to the national need for repentance (Lev 16:29-31; Neh 9:1) and probably sought to hasten the arrival of the Messiah through purification. The fact that Jesus and his disciples did not fast (Matt 11:18-19) subtly proclaimed that the Messiah had already arrived (see also 6:16).”
- Nehemiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Nehemiah 8:10: Eat the fat, and drink the sweet - Eat and drink the best that you have; and while ye are feeding yourselves in the fear of the Lord, remember those who cannot feast; and send portions to them, that the joy and the thanksgiving may be general. Let the poor have reason to rejoice as well as you. For the joy of the Lord is your strength - This is no gluttonous and drunken festival that enervates the body, and enfeebles the mind: from your religious feast your bodies will acquire strength and your minds power and fervor, so that you shall be able to Do His will, and ”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:8: profiteth little--Greek, "profiteth to (but) a small extent." Paul does not deny that fasting and abstinence from conjugal intercourse for a time, with a view to reaching the inward man through the outward, do profit somewhat, Act 13:3; Co1 7:5, Co1 7:7; Co1 9:26-27 (though in its degenerate form, asceticism, dwelling solely on what is outward, Ti1 4:3, is not only not profitable but injurious). Timothy seems to have had a leaning to such outward self-discipline (compare Ti1 5:23). Paul, therefore, while not disapproving of this in its due proportion”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:33: 5:33 John the Baptist’s disciples: Most rabbis had students who learned from them and served them (see also Acts 19:1-7). • fast and pray regularly: Many pious Jews fasted two days a week (Luke 18:12). Fasting was associated with spiritual preparation (Esth 4:16) and repentance (2 Sam 12:22; Joel 1:14; Jon 3:5). Fasting is not a means of righteousness (Isa 58:4-5; Jer 14:12) but a spiritual discipline for cultivating intimacy with God. Fasting is often linked with prayer and spiritual retreat. • Why are your disciples always eating and drinking? The point was that t”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:16: We are here cautioned against hypocrisy in fasting, as before in almsgiving, and in prayer. I. It is here supposed that religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, when God, in his providence, calls to it, and when the case of their own souls upon any account requires it; when the bridegroom is taken away, then shall they fast, Mat 9:15. Fasting is here put last, because it is not so much a duty for its own sake, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Prayer comes in between almsgiving and fasting, as being the life and soul of both. Chri”