What is the primary purpose of fasting?
The primary purpose of fasting is: self-humbling. Fasting is a scriptural means chosen by God for us to humble ourselves before Him. Throughout the Bible God required His people to humble themselves before Him. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12) “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). Notice that in all of these scriptures, humbling ourselves is a responsibility placed on us. It is not a responsibility that we can give to God. If we pray, “God humble me,” our prayer is not scriptural. God’s reply in scripture is always humble yourself. Fasting is revealed in the Bible to be a practical, tangible way that we can humble ourselves.
