Why I No Longer Fast
BRD REFLECTION 2026
Matthew 9:14-26 and Psalm 44:9-16 (NIV)
(Joyce Sia from Discipleship and Nurture)
READ:
Matthew 9:14-17 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Jesus was asked why His disciples did not fast as the Pharisees and John’s disciples did. This was not a question of whether to fast but rather, the principle behind fasting. Jesus replied that there will come a time when His disciples will fast, but not while He is with them.
By His illustrations of putting a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment and pouring new wine into old wineskins, Jesus was saying that the old ritual forms, such as the ceremonial fasting practised by the Pharisees and John’s disciples, were no longer relevant to the New Covenant heralded by Jesus.
APPLY:
I used to feel guilty about not fasting, and I always felt pressurised to fast during Lent. That was because I viewed fasting as the Pharisees and John’s disciples did – as abstinence from food performed to display piety, repentance, and devotion. Pharisees typically fasted twice a week, wearing ashes or disfiguring their faces to show others they were fasting.
As I grew in spiritual maturity, I learned that there are different forms of fasting for different purposes. The main objective of fasting is to surrender my body to God, trusting that He will meet me in my area of need. It is a heart posture, not a ritual. There is, therefore, no specific timing or mode of fasting prescribed. There is no need for a public display or declaration of fasting. It is a matter between God and me, although in certain circumstances, the church or a community may fast collectively.
DO:
I confess that sometimes I fasted because everyone else was, and I thought fasting would help me break a bad habit (for example, overeating or addiction to social media and television dramas). When convicted of my wrong motivation, I decided not to fast at all.
I want to be guided by the Holy Spirit on whether, when, and how to fast. I want to fast to grow closer to God, not as a ritual for others or God to see, and certainly not to serve my own interests.
PRAY:
Dear God, please forgive my past insincere acts of fasting. When I fast, may I encounter You and be transformed by Your grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
