What Does the Bible Say About Lent? Scripture-Based Encouragement
Bible Verses & Devotional
What Does the Bible Say About Lent? Scripture-Based Encouragement
Many Christians ask, what does the bible say about lent, especially when church calendars encourage fasting and reflection. While the Bible does not lay out a yearly “Lent” timetable, it does give clear guidance about fasting, repentance, and how God desires His people to respond. Jesus teaches that fasting must be sincere, secret, and God-focused, not used to impress others. The prophet Isaiah shows that true fasting is marked by mercy and justice, not simply giving up food. Joel adds that God invites us to return with “all” our heart, coupled with fasting and repentance. As we look at these passages, the question becomes less about a tradition’s date and more about the heart’s direction.
At a Glance — Verses in This Article
- Matthew 6:16-18
- Isaiah 58:6-7
- Joel 2:12-13
- Matthew 4:1-11
Bible Verses
Matthew 6:16-18 (King James Version)
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
Jesus teaches that fasting should be done in humility—so your Father, not people, receives the glory.
Isaiah 58:6-7 (King James Version)
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
Isaiah connects fasting to spiritual reality, including loosening injustice and providing for the hungry and needy.
Joel 2:12-13 (King James Version)
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
Joel calls for wholehearted repentance, urging fasting and sorrow that lead to genuine turning toward the Lord.
Matthew 4:1-11 (King James Version)
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Jesus’ wilderness fast shows that fasting can strengthen faith and resist temptation when rooted in God’s Word.
Lent vs. Biblical Fasting: What the Scriptures Actually Emphasize
When people ask what does the bible say about lent, they often assume the Bible either approves or forbids the season by name. Scripture, however, focuses less on the calendar and more on the heart and purpose behind fasting. In Jesus’ teaching, the issue is not whether fasting happens—it is *how* it is done and *why* it is done.
Jesus addresses fasting publicly in Matthew 6:16-18, warning against a “sad countenance” meant to make others notice. He points His listeners toward a different posture: “when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face,” so the practice stays between the person and God. That means fasting can be a real spiritual discipline, but it should not be turned into a performance. The goal is not reputation; the goal is fellowship with the Father.
At the same time, Isaiah and Joel show that fasting is never meant to replace obedience. Isaiah 58:6-7 describes fasting that God has chosen—fasting that loosens the bands of wickedness, breaks yokes, and shares bread with the hungry. Joel 2:12-13 adds that God calls His people to return “with all your heart,” with fasting, weeping, and mourning, while also stressing His character: “gracious and merciful… slow to anger… of great kindness.”
So if Lent (or any season of fasting) becomes a time for prayer, repentance, generosity, and real change, it aligns with the broader biblical emphasis. If it becomes a stage for self-righteousness or neglect of love, it contradicts Jesus’ warning.
The Motive of Fasting: Secret Worship and a Clean Heart
A key theme in what the Bible teaches about fasting is motive. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus contrasts the hypocrites’ approach with the believer’s. Hypocrites fast “that they may appear unto men to fast,” but Jesus says they already received their reward—attention from people.
Jesus’ counsel is strikingly practical: “anoint thine head, and wash thy face,” so that fasting does not become visible theater. Then He emphasizes the heart-to-God dimension: “that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret.” Fasting, in this framing, is a way of drawing near to God when no one else is watching.
This matters for anyone considering Lent. A God-honoring approach is not built on comparing your discipline to someone else’s. It is built on honesty with God—acknowledging dependence on Him, asking for mercy, and letting the inner life be reshaped.
Joel strengthens this motive by describing repentance as wholehearted. “Turn ye even to me with all your heart,” Joel says, and this turning includes fasting and sincere grief: “rend your heart, and not your garments.” That line guards against outward religious motions without inner surrender. Fasting is helpful when it drives you away from self and toward God.
Put simply: fasting that has the right motive will produce the right spiritual direction—secret reliance, humble worship, and honest repentance. When the motive is right, the outward form becomes secondary; the Father sees the heart, and He rewards accordingly.
The Fruit of Fasting: Mercy, Justice, and Resistance to Temptation
Scripture also asks for fruit—what fasting should look like in real life. Isaiah 58:6-7 gives a vivid picture of fasting’s outcomes: loosening wickedness, undoing heavy burdens, letting the oppressed go free, breaking every yoke, dealing bread to the hungry, and inviting the poor and covering the naked. These are not optional add-ons. They reflect that fasting is meant to awaken compassion and obedience.
So, if Lent becomes only about abstaining while relationships remain unchanged, the practice misses Isaiah’s point. God’s chosen fast addresses the realities of injustice and need. True fasting moves you toward action shaped by love.
At the same time, the Bible links fasting with spiritual strength. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted. He fasts forty days and forty nights, and then—when temptation comes—He answers with Scripture. His refusal to sin is not fueled by hunger alone; it is grounded in obedience to God’s Word: “Man shall not live by bread alone,” and “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,” and “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
This matters because fasting can sharpen your awareness of spiritual warfare. Hunger highlights dependence. When you respond by clinging to God’s Word and resisting the devil’s lies, fasting becomes more than deprivation—it becomes training.
Therefore, a biblical approach to fasting (including Lent) can include both vertical focus (secret worship, repentance) and horizontal love (mercy, justice, generosity), while also building resilience against temptation through Scripture.
How to Observe Lent (or a Fasting Season) Biblically This Year
If you want your fasting season to match what Scripture teaches, begin with three simple commitments. First, keep your focus on secret worship. Use Matthew 6:16-18 as your guide: don’t fast to be admired—fast to draw near. Set aside time for prayer, and when you fast, keep the heart posture humble and God-directed.
Second, allow fasting to produce real repentance and compassion. Isaiah 58:6-7 and Joel 2:12-13 together show that God desires inner change that becomes outward obedience. Ask: Who in my life needs mercy? Is there a burden I can help loosen? Is there someone hungry I can support or someone oppressed I can stand with through practical aid and prayer?
Third, strengthen your resistance to temptation with God’s Word. The wilderness account in Matthew 4:1-11 shows that Jesus met temptation with Scripture. If you’re fasting from food, consider pairing it with Bible reading and memorization during the time you would normally eat. When cravings or discouragement arise, respond with truth rather than impulse.
A helpful daily rhythm could be: (1) pray privately, (2) read a portion of Scripture, (3) take one act of mercy you can do that day, and (4) check your motive—are you seeking God’s approval, or people’s notice?
In this way, your fasting season becomes aligned with the Father who sees in secret and the Lord who delights in mercy and repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scripture says about lent—does the Bible command it?
The Bible does not command a specific church season called “Lent.” However, it does teach fasting as a spiritual practice. Jesus emphasizes humble, secret fasting with the right motive, and the prophets show fasting should result in repentance, mercy, and justice.
Does the bible teach lent in a way Christians can follow?
While Lent itself is not spelled out in Scripture, the biblical principles behind fasting are clear. If your fasting time leads you to God (not people), produces compassionate action, and helps you resist temptation through Scripture, it fits the Bible’s heart for fasting.
What does the bible mean by fasting—just giving up food?
No. Scripture presents fasting as more than abstaining. Isaiah ties fasting to loosening injustice and caring for the needy. Joel ties it to wholehearted repentance, “rend your heart,” not merely changing outward habits. Jesus ties it to sincere worship in secret.
How should Christians fast during lent without becoming hypocritical?
Follow Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 6:16-18: don’t fast to appear to others. Instead, keep your practice between you and the Father, and maintain a humble spirit. Pair fasting with repentance and acts of mercy, so your discipline serves love.
A Short Prayer
Father, teach us the heart of fasting. Keep us from showy religion and from seeking praise from others. Help us to turn to You with all our heart, to rend our hearts and not our garments, and to live out repentance with mercy. Strengthen us with Your Word when temptation comes, as You strengthened Jesus in the wilderness. Receive our devotion in secret, and produce fruit in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.