Fasting is not an Option!

When Jesus was speaking to his disciples concerning fasting He said "When" you fast which indicates that Jesus EXPECT believers to fast as part of their Christian life. Fasting is to be considered as essential as the other principles that are apart of the kingdom of God.

Jesus lead by example when he went into the wilderness to pray and fast for forty days and forty nights after being baptized. Matthew 4:2

As we follow Jesus' example we must not take a legalistic view of fasting; fasting is done out of a love and devotion to God and not to become a ritual that makes us feel guilty when we do it. When we habitually fast care must be taken as Jesus encourage to avoid prideful behavior in our ability to fast as this nullify the benefits of the fast.