Fasting is one of the most confused spiritual practices in the modern Christian world. Many people think of it as just not eating, which is a physical practice that has nothing to do with its spiritual meaning. Some people do it as a spiritual act, stating their dedication to get people’s attention. Both of these ways miss the point of what biblical fasting is all about.

In the Bible, fasting is more than just not eating. When we look closely at the Bible, we see that fasting was never meant to be done on its own. In Mark 9, Jesus comes across a case where His disciples were unable to get rid of a very stubborn evil spirit. They asked Jesus why they failed, and he said, “This kind comes out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” This verse doesn’t say that you have to be fasting to get rid of devils. Instead, it shows that some spiritual breakthroughs need a higher level of faith and clarity, which can only be reached by praying and fasting together.

According to the Bible, fasting is all about changing food with spiritual food. When real hunger pains come up during fasting, they should push us deeper into God’s Word and prayer, not just leave us empty in body and spirit. The hunger serves as a warning to eat spiritual food. Without this spiritual part—without prayer—fasting is just a physical act that has no spiritual meaning. “I humbled myself with fasting,” says Psalm 35:13, showing that fasting and humbling ourselves before God in prayer go hand in hand.

One thing that might be ignored about fasting is how it changes us as people. In Isaiah 58:6-7, it says that God is unhappy with people who fast but stay angry, rude, and unchangeable. When we truly fast, our hearts should soften toward others, not become irritable, restless, or critical. It shouldn’t make us feel spiritually better than other people, but rather humble. “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” asks Romans 14:4 to question this sense of being better than others. You’ve completely missed the point of fasting if it makes you look down on people who don’t fast like you do.

Another important thing about bible fasting is that it is done alone. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16–18 not to fast just to get people’s attention. When you fast, don’t tell anyone about it, don’t look sad, and don’t try to get compliments. You’ve got your reward—attention from people instead of divine blessing—as soon as you fast to look more spiritual. You should really fast in secret, says Jesus, because “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

People should never use fasting as a way to manipulate God or get His benefits. As James 4:3 says, there are times when we “ask and do not receive because we ask with wrong motives.” It’s not about negotiating with God when you fast; it’s about giving up and giving in to Him. “God, let Your will be done” is the right way to stand when fasting, not “God, now You owe me because I’ve earned it through my sacrifice.”

Lastly, we need to be smart about how we fast. The Bible says in First Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are homes for the Holy Spirit. Extreme fasting that hurts our health or doesn’t take into account medical needs is disrespectful to this place. Not taking care of your health is not a moral act. Take your medicine with food if it tells you to. If you have a medical problem that needs regular food, you should change your fast to accommodate that. God values the sincerity of the fast more than how hard it is on the body.

As you start your fasting path, keep in mind that its power is not in the hunger, but in the humble heart that seeks God with more focus and intensity. When done with the right intentions and knowledge, fasting can help us reach a mental level that is unmatched by any other practice.