Fasting

There are several types of fasting. When people hear about fasting they immediately think about not eating at all. Fasting is merely an amount of time that one has set to deny the body something it wants or needs. REmember, however, that fasting is very personal; it is something that should remain between you and the Lord.

"Moreover, when 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. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matthew 6:16, NKJV

The religious leaders of the time would make it a point not to tell anyone that they were fasting, that would be wrong. They would, however, walk around with a contorted face. Everything about their demeanor would change, one could not help but think that they were fasting. This reminds me of a young child who walks around his house holding his stomach, possibly sighing very loudly. The young boy is trying to convince his family that he is sick without saying anything so that they will have pity on him, pity that he did not ask for because he never told anyone that he was sick. The same concept is happening here with the religious leaders.

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to be fasting, but to your Father who sees in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:17-18, NKJV

This is the key to true spirituality; there should only be two that know what you are doing, you and the Lord. Nothing that is done for spiritual purposes should be done with sympathy in mind. If this is why you are doing these things, like fasting, for the sake of sympaty, then you already have you reward.