Fasting is more than just skipping meals—it’s about the posture of your heart. In Matthew 9, Jesus teaches that fasting should come from a place of sincere desire to know Him, not out of religious habit or to impress others. He explains that while His disciples didn’t fast while He was present, the time would come when they would, showing that fasting is appropriate when we long for His presence or need His guidance.
The key is this: God isn’t moved by empty rituals—He’s drawn to hearts that are humble, hungry, and honest. Whether you’re fasting for breakthrough, repentance, or clarity, your motive matters more than the method. If you want your fast to mean something, it has to come from the right place. Keep reading for a deeper dive into how to fast with purpose and get closer to God the way Jesus intended.
Fasting is often talked about in Christian circles. It’s something many believers do—some as a spiritual discipline, others as part of religious tradition. But if you’re not approaching fasting with the right heart, Jesus makes it clear that you’re missing the point.
Let’s dig into Matthew 9, where Jesus gives a powerful lesson on fasting. This chapter reveals not only why we fast but also how our mindset matters more than the act itself.
1. What Happens in Matthew 9?
In Matthew 9:14-17, the disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus and ask:
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
It’s a fair question. Fasting was a major part of Jewish religious practice. So why weren’t Jesus’ disciples doing it?
Jesus answers in a way that flips the question on its head. He says:
“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15, ESV)
This isn’t just a clever answer. It’s a deep truth about how fasting is supposed to work.
2. The Real Reason We Fast
Not Just for Show
Fasting was often a public display for religious leaders like the Pharisees. They wanted people to see their devotion. But Jesus warns against that in Matthew 6:16-18:
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father.”
This isn’t about pretending. It’s about fasting in a way that honors God, not impresses others.
Fasting Is About the Heart
Jesus’ analogy of a wedding feast in Matthew 9 shows something powerful: His presence changes everything.
- You don’t mourn at a wedding. You celebrate.
- Fasting is linked to longing, repentance, or seeking God—things that don’t make sense when He’s right in front of you.
Jesus was saying: There’s a time to fast, but it has to come from the right heart and the right moment.
3. The Danger of Ritual Without Relationship
Jesus continues in Matthew 9:16-17 with two short parables:
- Don’t put new cloth on old garments
- Don’t pour new wine into old wineskins
Here’s what He’s getting at: You can’t mix old religious habits with the new life He offers.
Fasting as a routine, legalistic practice won’t work in the Kingdom of God. It’s not about maintaining appearances—it’s about genuine connection with Jesus.
Numbers to Consider:
- 2 kinds of people in this passage: those stuck in old traditions and those embracing Jesus.
- 0 benefit to fasting if your heart isn’t in the right place.
- 100% of spiritual growth depends on sincerity, not ritual.
4. When Should You Fast?
Jesus didn’t say “don’t fast.” He said, “then they will fast.”
That “then” matters. He was pointing to a time after His ascension, when His followers would no longer have His physical presence.
So fasting is appropriate when:
- You’re seeking deeper intimacy with God.
- You need direction or breakthrough.
- You’re grieving, repenting, or preparing for something significant.
- You’re interceding for others.
But it’s never appropriate when:
- You’re trying to impress others.
- You’re doing it out of guilt.
- You think it earns you favor with God.
God isn’t moved by empty rituals. He’s moved by a sincere, hungry heart.
5. What a Right Heart Looks Like
Here’s what it means to fast with the right heart:
Humility
Fasting reminds you that you’re not self-sufficient. It says, “God, I need You more than food.”
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Hunger for God
Real fasting is fueled by a desire to know God better. It’s not about skipping meals—it’s about seeking His presence.
Repentance
In Joel 2:12, God says:
“Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Fasting is often connected to turning back to God with genuine sorrow over sin.
Focused Prayer
Don’t just stop eating. Start praying. The fast becomes powerful when it’s paired with purposeful time with God.
6. Common Misunderstandings About Fasting
Let’s clear up a few things:
“If I fast, God will bless me.”
God isn’t a vending machine. Fasting doesn’t earn you points. It’s not a transaction—it’s transformation.
“I have to do a 40-day fast to be spiritual.”
You don’t need extreme fasts to be faithful. What matters is the motive and obedience.
“I’m not spiritual enough to fast.”
Fasting is for anyone who wants to draw near to God, not just super-Christians.
7. How to Fast with the Right Heart
If you’re ready to fast the way Jesus taught, here’s a simple plan:
Step 1: Start with Prayer
Ask God: Why do You want me to fast right now? What do You want to show me?
Step 2: Set Your Intentions
Write down your purpose. Are you seeking clarity? Repenting? Praying for someone?
Step 3: Choose the Fast
Options include:
- Full fast (only liquids)
- Partial fast (certain meals or foods, like Daniel’s fast)
- Time-based fast (no food for a certain window)
- Non-food fast (social media, entertainment, etc.)
Choose what makes sense for you.
Step 4: Replace Eating Time with God Time
Don’t just skip meals—fill that space with Scripture, worship, and prayer.
Step 5: Stay Humble and Honest
Tell God how you’re feeling. Be honest. The power of fasting is in your dependence, not your perfection.
8. Final Thoughts: Fasting That Pleases God
Fasting isn’t about the food. It’s about the heart. In Matthew 9, Jesus makes it clear: if we fast just because it’s what we’re “supposed” to do, we miss Him entirely.
But when we fast because we long for Him, when our heart is soft and hungry, something shifts. It’s not about earning—it’s about aligning.
So next time you fast, ask yourself:
- Am I doing this to seek Jesus?
- Is my heart humble and open?
- Am I focused on Him, or just following tradition?
When your heart is in the right place, fasting becomes more than a religious activity. It becomes a holy encounter.
“Why Fasting Should Be Done with the Right Heart: Lessons from Matthew 9”
1. Why is the heart behind fasting so important according to Matthew 9?
In Matthew 9, Jesus explains that fasting without the right heart is meaningless. He uses the analogy of a wedding feast to show that the purpose of fasting must align with a spiritual need—longing for God’s presence, not just keeping religious tradition.
2. What does Jesus mean by calling Himself the bridegroom in Matthew 9:15?
Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom to show that His presence is a time for celebration, not mourning or fasting. Fasting makes sense when He’s not physically present—after His ascension—when we seek Him spiritually.
3. How does Matthew 9 challenge religious traditions about fasting?
Jesus criticizes mechanical or ritualistic fasting. He says you can’t pour new wine into old wineskins—meaning the new life He offers can’t be forced into old, legalistic practices without transformation.
4. Is fasting still relevant for Christians today?
Yes. Jesus didn’t say His disciples would never fast. He said they would fast when the bridegroom was taken away—meaning now, in this season of waiting for His return, fasting can be a vital spiritual discipline.
5. How can someone tell if they’re fasting with the wrong motives?
If you’re fasting to impress others, earn favor from God, or because you feel obligated, your motives are off. True fasting flows from humility, hunger for God, and sincere purpose.
6. What are some right reasons to fast as a Christian?
Fasting is appropriate when you’re seeking clarity, repentance, breakthrough, intimacy with God, or praying for others. It should always be paired with prayer and a humble heart.
7. What’s the difference between old and new wineskins in Matthew 9:17?
Old wineskins represent rigid religious systems. New wine—Jesus’ message of grace—requires a new heart and mindset. You can’t fit Jesus into an old, rule-based framework.
8. What does Jesus say about public fasting in Matthew 6?
In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus says not to fast like hypocrites who want attention. Instead, fast privately and sincerely—your Father sees in secret and rewards you.
9. Do you have to fast from food to fast the “right” way?
No. While biblical fasting often involved food, you can fast from distractions like social media, entertainment, or anything that steals your focus from God—as long as it’s done with purpose and prayer.
10. What’s the first step to fasting with the right heart?
Start with prayer. Ask God why He’s calling you to fast. Clarify your purpose, choose the type of fast, and focus your heart on Him. Fasting done right is about connecting, not performing.
