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NASB | Matthew 6:16 ¶ "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:16 ¶ "And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. [Is 58:5] |
Bible Question: (1) Are Christians commanded to fast?.........(2) What purposes does fasting serve?..........(3) Prayer and fasting seem to be linked together in Scripture. What is the correlation? |
Bible Answer: Hank ... Another great question. We need to know the reason for our actions. (1) Are Christians commanded to fast? - You cited one passage that make me say yes, by the word "whenever". The Pharisee did it twice a week (Luke 18:12). (2) What purposes does fasting serve? - The Pharisees did it for show (Mat. 6;16), but we need to do for spiritual benifit. We will hunger and thirst after for righteousness (ma. 5:6). Jesus set the example (Mat. 4:2). We will be rewarded (Mat. 6:18). (3) Prayer and fasting seem to be linked together in Scripture. What is the correlation? - They are spiritual disciplines. Prayer (vv. 5- 15) is the second of three things that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 6. The first is giving to the needy (vv. 1-4). We are to do it in secret, so others do not see us. Our audience is God. Side note, when you pray in public, do not pray to please the men who hear ... focus on God, and listen to Him, too. Steve |