Biblical Fasting Explained: A Common-Sense Guide for Christians

Biblical Fasting Explained: A Common-Sense Guide for Christians

Fasting is one of the most misunderstood spiritual disciplines in Christianity. For some, it feels extreme. For others, confusing. And for many, it becomes something they do out of pressure instead of purpose.

So what does the Bible actually teach about fasting?

Biblical fasting is not about manipulating God, earning favor, or proving spirituality. It is about becoming more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, humbling the flesh, and aligning your heart with God’s will.

This blog draws heavily from Scripture and from A Common Sense Guide to Fasting by Kenneth E. Hagin, and it aims to bring balance, clarity, and truth back to the subject.

What Is Fasting According to the Bible?

Jesus never questioned whether believers would fast—He assumed it.

In Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus said, “When you fast…”, not if. That alone tells us fasting is a normal part of Christian life. But Jesus also made something clear: fasting is not meant to be public, performative, or attention-seeking.

Biblical fasting is between you and the Father.

If fasting is done to gain approval from people, Jesus said that approval is the only reward you’ll receive. God is not impressed by outward displays—He looks at the heart.

Does Fasting Change God?

No. Fasting does not change God.

God is unchanging, faithful, and already moved when He sent Jesus. Fasting is not a spiritual lever to pull so God will act.

Fasting doesn’t change God—it changes you.

Fasting helps quiet the flesh and heighten spiritual sensitivity. When distractions are removed, clarity increases. When the flesh is subdued, faith rises.

That is the real power of fasting.

The Truth About 40-Day Fasts in the Bible

Many Christians feel pressure to attempt extreme fasts because of Moses, Elijah, or Jesus. But when these accounts are read carefully, they reveal something important.

Moses fasted 40 days while in the manifest presence of God. An angel supernaturally fed Elijah and he went in the strength of that food for 40 days. The Spirit led Jesus's fast, and he was ministered to by angels, after being directly confronted by Satan.

I think we can agree these were not normal fasts. They were supernaturally sustained moments tied to divine assignments.

Attempting to copy supernatural fasts without supernatural support is not biblical wisdom—it’s a misunderstanding of Scripture.

Why Moses, Elijah, and Jesus Matter Together

Here’s a powerful biblical connection.

The only three men who fasted 40 days and nights—Moses, Elijah, and Jesus—are also the three men who appeared at the Mount of Transfiguration.

Each fast preceded a major redemptive moment:

• Moses delivered the Law

• Elijah restored allegiance to the Lord

• Jesus launched the gospel of grace

Fasting in Scripture is always connected to purpose, revelation, and obedience, not religious extremes.

“This Kind Does Not Go Out Except by Prayer and Fasting”

When Jesus said, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting,” He was not talking about demons—He was talking about unbelief.

That’s important because Jesus made something clear elsewhere. In Mark 16, He said plainly,

“In My name they will cast out demons.”

Not in fasting.

Not in prayer marathons.

But in His name.

Authority over demons was never the issue.

In Matthew 17, Jesus told the disciples directly that their failure wasn’t due to a lack of authority, but unbelief. They already had power. What they lacked was alignment. Something in the flesh was resisting what their spirit already knew to be true.

That’s where prayer and fasting come in.

Prayer and fasting don’t move God—they align your flesh with God’s Word. They humble the soul, quiet distractions, and silence the flesh so faith can flow freely again. In spiritual warfare, this matters because unbelief doesn’t always look like doubt. Often it shows up as feelings, fear, pride, or self-reliance.

Fasting doesn’t cast out demons—faith does.

But fasting starves unbelief by bringing the flesh into submission.

Unbelief isn’t removed by effort or intensity. It’s removed by intimacy with God. Prayer deepens that intimacy, and fasting clears the channel so faith can operate the way it was always meant to.

That’s why Jesus said this kind only goes out by prayer and fasting—not because demons need more effort, but because faith works best when the flesh is no longer in control.

Three Biblical Reasons Christians Fast

1. Fasting to Minister to the Lord

In Acts 13, believers fasted while ministering to the Lord, and the Holy Spirit spoke clearly. Fasting creates space for worship, service, and sensitivity to God’s voice.

2. Fasting to Set Leaders Apart

The early church fasted before laying hands on ministers. This wasn’t emotional decision-making—it was Spirit-led confirmation.

3. Fasting in Times of Danger or Direction

In Acts 27, Paul found himself in a life-threatening storm. The sun and stars disappeared for days, the ship was battered, and all hope of survival was gone. During this crisis, Paul abstained from food, and in that place of seeking God, an angel appeared and assured him that no lives would be lost, only the ship.

Paul’s fasting didn’t change God’s will. God had already determined that Paul would stand before Caesar. What fasting did was bring Paul into clarity and confidence. By putting his flesh under, Paul was able to hear from God, receive vision, and speak faith in the middle of chaos.

What Is a Fasted Lifestyle?

Biblical fasting is not just about food.

Paul later wrote that he fasted often, not to impress God or earn results, but to stay in tune with Him.

Paul also said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” A fasted lifestyle means intentionally putting distractions aside—entertainment, media, habits—so your spirit becomes more sensitive to God.

When you fast, you are turning down the volume of the flesh so the Spirit can speak clearly.

That is where vision comes from. That is where clarity is found. That is where faith is strengthened.

Practical Things You Can Fast

A fasted lifestyle looks like willingly laying down anything that competes for your attention, affection, or obedience. For many believers, the most impactful fasts aren’t always food-related.

Here are some practical areas to consider:

• Food – skipping meals, partial fasts, or specific foods to seek God intentionally

• Social media – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or constant scrolling

• Entertainment – Netflix, YouTube, gaming, or binge-watching

• Shopping – unnecessary spending or impulse buying

• Comfort habits – anything you run to for relief instead of God

The key question isn’t what you’re fasting—it’s what you're replacing it with.

A fast is only effective when the time and attention you free up are redirected toward prayer, the Word, worship, and quiet fellowship with God.

Fasting isn’t about deprivation.

It’s about devotion.

So seek God about what you should fast and use wisdom. Because when the flesh quiets down, the spirit rises—and you’ll begin to hear, see, and believe with clarity again.

If this blessed you, read my blog on The Fast God Has Chosen