Biblical Fasting, Fasts and those that Fasted

What is your reason for fasting?

I have seen people saying they are fasting for a “Spiritual Benefit” but that is a generality and not specific.  

What spiritual benefit would anyone get through fasting?  Surely no Christian would have any additional Spiritual benefit than that which he has already received in Christ Jesus.  Every spritual benefit or blessing we have already in Christ.   Eph 1:3  Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Before we get into a word and verse study of fasting I want to first show what our Lord Taught on fasting.  Matt 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.  When we fast we are not to proclaim it, show it off or tell others about our fasting for in doing so God will not reward us and those who would show off about their fasting are in disobedience to the word of God.

Fasting Biblically seems to be for some physical benefit more than a spiritual benefit as I go through the Bible on the verses of fasting I find that most of the time it is for a reason that is outward more than inward.  Outward preservation of a person or persons lives, or an answer to an situation that affects the outward man such as church elders or a decision that needs clarification or direction.

Fasting for the wrong reason can be dangerous to both physical and spiritual health.  So one must search the scriptures and set out to fast according to God’s word and purpose not our own.

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