“But you, WHEN YOU FAST, anoint your head and wash your face…” (Matt. 6:17).
Jesus didn’t say, “IF you fast.” He just assumed that WE WOULD OBEY AND FAST. I think the devil will do anything to KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM FASTING! Let’s take a look at a very controversial scripture about fasting,
“…this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:21 KJV)
The NIV and many modern translations say it like this: “there is no verse 21” The translators decided to translate from a Greek manuscript that didn’t have that line in it. Most the old Greek manuscripts, however, DO have it. I believe that it is a serious omission. Why? Let’s look at an explanation of all that fasting will accomplish… “Is not this the kind of fasting I [the Lord speaking] have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice…to…break every yoke? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I…The LORD will guide you always…You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail… then you will find YOUR JOY IN THE LORD…For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isa 58:6, 8-9, 11, 14)
Now, doesn’t it make sense, if you were the enemy, to hide this from us?
Pray about making your life powerful for God…Bill Stockham
Check this out: https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/fasting/personal-guide-to-fasting.html