Perhaps the key determinant of whether or not Christians should fast (i.e., abstain from eating food for a period of time) is whether or not Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament instructed us to do so.  Let’s consider what New Testament scripture passages have to say in this regard.  [Note:  When we quote Scripture in this article, we use the wording in the New King James Version of the Bible.]

Matthew 4:1-2:  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

These verses may suggest that Jesus Christ was teaching by personal example that fasting is desirable under certain circumstances, such as when seeking to draw closer to God.  However, the scripture passage gives no instruction that Christ’s followers should fast.

Matthew 6:16a:  [Christ told His disciples] “[W]hen you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.  For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting.”

In this passage, Jesus Christ was clearly expecting His disciples to fast, and He was instructing them not to make it obvious to others when they were fasting.  And Christ did indicate that the disciples would be rewarded by God for fasting.  However, He did not instruct them to fast.

Matthew 9:14-15:  Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Him [Jesus Christ], saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”  And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”  [Note:  Both Mark 2:18-20 and Luke 5:33-35 are similar to Matthew 9:14-15]

Jesus Christ saw no need for His disciples to fast as long as He was still with them, but His response to the followers of John the Baptist indicated that fasting would be worthwhile for His disciples after He (Christ) was no longer with them (i.e., after His ascension to heaven).  In any case, Christ did not indicate that it would be necessary for His disciples to fast, even after He ascended to heaven.

Matthew 17:20-21:  [In responding to His disciples as to why they could not cast out a demon,] Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”  [Note: Mark 9:29 is similar to Matthew 17:20-21.]

This scripture passage suggests that fasting, in addition to faith and prayer, is absolutely necessary when Christ’s followers (i.e., Christians) have to deal with certain kinds of demons and perhaps other evil supernatural beings.  There is no inference that fasting is necessary otherwise. 

Acts 13:2-3:  As they [prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch] ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

It is not clear if fasting was a significant factor in leading the Holy Spirit to appear at this meeting of the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch.  It is clear, however, that these men believed that fasting, as well as prayer, is important for Christians on at least some types of church-related occasions.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible says in regard to this passage, “Religious fasting is of use in our ministering to the Lord, both as a sign of our humiliation and a means of our mortification.”  (Webster’s Dictionary defines “mortification” as “the control of physical desires and passions by self-denial, fasting, etc.”)  Nevertheless, the biblical passage does not instruct Christians to fast on a regular basis. 

Acts 14:23:  So when they [Paul and Barnabas] had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas evidently believed that both prayer and fasting were important before making a crucial decision, such as committing to the Lord the elders in the churches.  Again, there is no indication that Christians should fast regularly.

Conclusion:  Based primarily upon Matthew 4:1-2; 17:20-21 and Acts 13:2-3; 14:23, fasting does seem to be essential in dealing with important spiritual matters.  However, it is apparently not necessary for Christians to make fasting a regular practice, since the Bible does not clearly instruct Christians to fast on a regular basis, in contrast with prayer, which the Bible does instruct Christians to do on a regular basis [See our article entitled “Uncertainties Regarding Prayer”].