Well, if we modern American Christians have a hard time setting aside time for prayer, fasting isn’t anywhere on our radar screen. In our practical minds, we just don’t see the point in going without food or any other good or necessary thing just so that we can focus our attention more completely on God. In fact, in our drive-through and microwave world, skipping a meal wouldn’t really save us that much time, would it?

But notice that in verses 16 and 17, Jesus doesn’t say “if” you fast, but rather “when” you fast. It is thus easy to conclude that He expects some sort of fasting to be part of a healthy spiritual life. And if the preparation and consumption of food is not as great a drain on our time as it was for our ancient ancestors, can we doubt it would do us great spiritual good to fast from some of the more modern demands on our attention? For example, might a fast from television or social media be helpful from time to time?

But whatever spiritual practices we adopt in order to express our love for God and to turn our attention more completely to Him, Jesus insists that God Himself must be our only goal. Instead of trying to impress others with our piety, Jesus says that we should keep the details of our devotional practices to ourselves. After all, if gentlemen shouldn’t “kiss and tell,” is it any more seemly for us Christians to brag about the regularity of our quiet times or the consistency of our Bible reading?

So here’s the bottom line: since Jesus commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37), we mustn’t let anything, no matter how good it otherwise might be, get between ourselves and God. So, what do you need to put aside, if only for a time, in order to draw closer to your loving Lord?

Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB)

16 “And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face
18 so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.