Fasting is the humbling of soul (Psalm 35:13). When the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus why His disciples did not fast, He replied, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” (Matt. 9:15) Fasting is therefore associated with mourning. Jesus continued, “But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
禁食是在神面前谦卑的表现（诗35:13）。当施洗约翰的门徒试问耶稣祂的门徒为何不禁食，耶稣回答说：“新郎与宾客在一起的时候，难道宾客能悲伤吗？”（太 9：15）因此，禁食与悲伤息息相关。耶稣继续说：“可是日子将要来到：当新郎从他们中间被带走的时候，他们那时就要禁食了。”
Fasting is nowhere commanded in the Bible for Christians. The only fast commanded in Scripture is the one connected with the Day of Atonement. On that day all the people were to “humble their souls” (Lev. 16:29; 23:27), a Hebrew expression that included forsaking food as an act of self-denial. Except for the Jewish yearly fast on the Day of Atonement, it is not commanded by God. So fasting is an entirely noncompulsory, voluntary act, not a spiritual duty to be regularly observed. Fasting is never shown in Scripture to be the means to heightened spiritual experience, visions, or special insight.
- Pretentious Fasting 虚假的禁食 (6:16)
When the heart is not right, fasting is a sham and a mockery. Fasting becomes a show; a hypocritical act to present oneself as pious, godly and self-righteous.
当我们不以正确的态度禁食时，那就是个虚假之举，蔑视了神。禁食成为了一场表演，时一个虚伪的行为，为的是体现自己是虔诚、属灵的义人。
- Proper Fasting 属实的禁食 (6:17-18)
Genuine fasting is simply a part of concentrated, intense prayer and concern for the Lord, His will, and His work.
属实的禁食是因对主、主的旨意，与主的作为有极其关注，想要迫切祷告的结果。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Fasting is the third teaching after giving (6:2–4) and praying (v. 5–15) for which Jesus gives a correction to the hypocritical religious practices typified by the scribes and Pharisees. Are we hypocrites? Are we pretentious? Do we want others to think we are spiritual? Confess and pray that we will be sincere, honest and truthful.
禁食是继施舍（6:2-4）和祷告（6:5-15）后，主耶稣对文士和法利赛人指出所要改正的第三个虚伪假行。我们是假冒为善的人吗？我们是伪君子吗？我们是否盼望别人把我们看作是属灵人？求主赦免我们，叫我们以真诚和诚实的心待人。
- Although fasting is not commanded in the Bible for NT Christians, it is mentioned some 30 times in the New Testament, almost always favorably. Fasting is an appropriate response in times of trial, testing, struggle or sorrow. It is also appropriate when we are faced with major decisions in life. The intention is that God’s will be done in our lives. Will you fast?
