Topical Bible: Fasting: Confession of Sin

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Topical Encyclopedia

Fasting, within the biblical context, is often associated with the confession of sin and repentance. This spiritual discipline is a voluntary abstention from food, and sometimes drink, for a specified period, undertaken as an act of humility and devotion to God. The practice of fasting as a means of confessing sin is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where it is frequently linked with penitence and a desire for spiritual renewal.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently connected with mourning, repentance, and the confession of sin. One of the most notable examples is found in the Book of Jonah. When the prophet Jonah proclaimed God's impending judgment upon Nineveh, the people of Nineveh believed God, declared a fast, and put on sackcloth as a sign of their repentance. Jonah 3:5 states, "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least."

Similarly, in the Book of Joel, the prophet calls for a sacred fast as a response to the people's sin and the coming judgment. Joel 2:12-13 exhorts, "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is another significant instance where fasting is linked with the confession of sin. Leviticus 16:29-31 instructs the Israelites to "afflict" themselves, which is traditionally understood as fasting, as part of the atonement process for the sins of the nation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, fasting continues to be associated with repentance and the confession of sin. Jesus Himself speaks of fasting in the context of humility and sincerity before God. In Matthew 6:16-18 , Jesus instructs, "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

The early church also practiced fasting in conjunction with prayer and repentance. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Theological Significance

Fasting as a confession of sin is a profound expression of humility and dependence on God. It is an acknowledgment of human frailty and a sincere plea for divine mercy and forgiveness. The act of fasting, when coupled with genuine repentance, is a powerful means of drawing closer to God and seeking His grace.

Throughout Scripture, fasting is not merely a ritualistic practice but a heartfelt response to the recognition of sin and the need for God's intervention. It serves as a tangible demonstration of one's contrition and a desire to align one's life with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 7:6
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
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Nehemiah 9:1,2
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloths, and earth on them.
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Library

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When you set apart a day of fasting and prayer, you ought to ... be spent in
self-examination, meditation, reading the Scriptures, confession of sin, prayer ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Repentance and victory
... out of water 'before the Lord,' probably as emblematic of the pouring out of soul
in penitence; for it was accompanied by fasting and confession of sin. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

On Confession
... If you forget to say your penance, your confession is not on ... we satisfy God for the
temporal punishment due to sin are: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, all ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 19 on confession.htm

Confession and Penance.
... These confessions of sin were connected with a confession of faith ... to live accordingly,
are taught to pray, and to beseech God with fasting to grant ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iv confession and penance.htm

Letter xi. --On Fears About Confession.
... have some reason to fear about; if you mention in each confession a sin of your ... As
you are infirm these troubles will do instead of fasting or taking the ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xi on fears about confession.htm

Of Scrupulosities About External Duties, as the Office, Fasting...
... persons to poverty, obedience, regular fasting, saying of ... in order to confession,
and confession itself, with ... upon particular religious under sin, except when ...
/.../chapter x of scrupulosities about.htm

The Confession of the Waldenses. AD 1655.
... 1. That God is the author of sin; 2. Que ... et la Penitence.7. That we entirely reject
confession of sins ... pour vivre dans la dissolution.8. That fasting and other ...
/.../the confession of the waldenses.htm

Whether Confession is an Act of Faith
... For example, fasting is an act of abstinence, since it ... is the end of glorification;
third, the confession of sins ... ordained for the blotting out of sin, which is ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether confession is.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... in this great emergency in his home, and we find him fasting and praying for ... it is
only necessary to read Psalm 51 where confession of sin, deep humiliation ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/ii praying saints of the.htm

Questions on the Explanations
... 771. Who are excused from fasting? 772. ... Lesson 36. 774. Why should we go to confession
even when we have not committed sin since our last confession? 775. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/questions on the explanations.htm