* Matthew 6:16 - Do Not Fast as Hypocrites

{Matthew 6:16} "Furthermore when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. -- RLIV.

FASTING is specially commendable to Jehovah's people at times when they find themselves lacking in spirituality and exposed to severe temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil; for by impoverishing the physical force and vitality, it may assist the full-blooded and impulsive to self-control in every direction. We believe that a majority of Christians would be helped by occasional fasting -- a very plain diet for a season, if not total abstinence. But fastings, to be seen and known of men or to be conjured up in our own minds as marks of piety on our part, would be injurious indeed, and lead to spiritual pride and hypocrisy, which would far outweigh their advantages to us in the way of self-restraint. -- Excerpt adapted from: "They That Be Whole Need Not a Physician".

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The Greek word for hypocrite refers to an actor, a stage player, a pretender; that is, one who is acting or pretending to be something so as to be seen by an audience. An actor performing a play before an audience learns to present himself in the role of a character so that he may seem to onlookers to be that character, although he is not actually. Many, if not most, actors may have an entirely different personality than that of the character he is pretending to be on stage.

Fasting can help one spiritually, but if it is made into a religious ceremony so to say to others, "Look at me!", it is hypocritical and does not bring the Heavenly Father's blessing. It is similar to an actor pretending to have a personality that is not his own. God is interested in what you have to express from within you, from your heart and soul, not in a false outward display of sorrow and mourning. The principle, however, holds true for many other forms of worship that one may participate in. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

COURAGE! PRESS ON

TIRED! well, what of that?

Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease,

Fluttering the rose leaves scattered by the breeze?

Come, rouse thee! work while it is called to-day:

Courage! arise! go forth upon thy way.

Lonely! and what of that?

Some must be lonely; 'tis not given to all

To feel a heart responsive rise and fall,

To blend another life within its own:

Work can be done in loneliness. Work on.

Dark! well, what of that?

Didst fondly dream the sun would never set?

Dost fear to lose thy way? Take courage yet!

Learn thou to walk by faith, and not by sight;

Thy steps will guided be, and guided right.

Hard! well, what of that?

Didst fancy life one summer holiday,

With lessons none to learn, and naught but play?

Go--get thee to thy task! Conquer or die!

It must be learned; learn it, then, patiently.

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 12:18; 1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Chronicles 16:27; Ezra 6:22; Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 8:10; Nehemiah 8:12; Nehemiah 12:43; Psalm 4:7; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 16:5-11; Psalm 30:11; Psalm 35:13; Psalm 68:3; Psalm 89:15,16; Psalm 97:11,12; Psalm 126:5,6; Isaiah 58:3-5; Zechariah 7:3-5; Mark 2:18; Luke 6:22,23; John 15:11; John 16:20; John 16:22,24; John 16:33; Acts 16:25,34; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 10:34; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13.

Related (We do not necessarily agree with all conclusions given):

The Propriety of Fasting

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