Isa.58v3-5: “Why have we fasted?” they say, “and you have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and you take no notice?”. In fact, in the day of your fast, you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Indeed, you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?”

Why do you fast? It’s pertinent to know that only you can answer this question and the answer(s) you give will obviously reveal your motives for fasting. Generally speaking, people fast for different reasons but it’s important for you to fast for the right motive(s). If you take a good look at our text (Isa.58v3-5), it’s clear that God has issues with his people fasting because their motives were wrong. So, this means it’s possible to fast for the wrong reasons. Although fasting is a beneficial and good exercise, you need to make sure your motives are right if your efforts won’t be in vain (Pro.16v2).

What is a motive? It’s a reason for doing something. Motive comes from the Latin words “motivus” meaning “moving” and “movere” meaning “to move”. Therefore, motive is the thing that moves you to act. In a nutshell, what I am simply saying is that you need to ensure that whatever is moving or motivating you to fast is right. This is the essence of this series of lessons.

Your motives for fasting ought to be right! Why should you fast with the right motives? You should fast with the right motives because of the following reasons:

  • So that you might be a partaker of the blessings of fasting. When our motives for fasting is wrong, it robs us of the blessings therein. As you can see in (Isa.58v8-12), there is a blessing in a God-ordained fast. A wrong motive will disqualify someone from the blessing.
  • So that your fasting will not be in vain. Is it possible to fast in vain? The answer is a capital YES. Evidence abounds to this truth as you can see in (Isa.58v3, 5). If God does not see your fast, then it simply means you have fasted in vain. May this never be your portion in Jesus name, amen.
  • Because God is much more interested in your motives than your moves. Your motive is far important to God than the fast itself because God’s eyes are always on the heart of men. God would judge you faster on your motives than your moves (1Sam.16v7).

My dear reader, it’s time to start paying attention to why you are fasting if you do not want to labor in vain.

Other Scriptural References: (Zech. 7 v 5-6: 8 v 19; Pro. 17 v 3: 21 v 2; Lk. 2 v 36-37)

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank you for opening my eyes to the right reasons for fasting. Holy Spirit, I receive your grace and wisdom to fast for the right reasons from henceforth.

CONFESSION: Father God, my heart’s desire and pleasure is to please and do your will always. delight in a God-ordained fast. I fast for the right reasons. My motives for fasting is right. I do not fast for the wrong reasons or motives. I declare from today that the Lord will be magnified through my fasted life. Glory be to God, my fast brings glory to his name and I will not be put to shame in Jesus name, amen.