Abstinence as a discipline

Israel’s abstinence from certain sorts of meat

Le 7:22–27; Le 11:1–47; Dt 14:1–21; Ac 10:9–14 God used the food laws to teach Peter a spiritual lesson.

Israel’s abstinence from other things

Ex 19:14–15; Le 16:29–31; Nu 6:1–4

See also Ex 31:16–17; Nu 29:7; Jdg 13:4; 1 Sa 21:4

Abstinence from food

As an expression of repentance

1 Sa 7:5–6; Ezr 10:6

See also 2 Sa 1:11–12; Ne 1:3–4; Joe 2:12; Jon 3:5

Expressing a seeking after God

Acts 13:1–2 NASB 2020

Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”

See also Mt 4:1–2; Mt 9:14–15; Lk 2:36–37; Ac 9:9; Ac 14:23; Ro 14:6

Temporary sexual abstinence as a form of discipline

Ex 19:15; 1 Sa 21:4–5; 1 Co 7:5

Denial of selfish desires

Mt 16:24; 1 Pe 2:11

See also Ro 13:13

Voluntary abstinence for the sake of others

1 Corinthians 8:13 NASB 2020

Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.

See also Ac 15:19–20; Ac 15:29; Ac 21:25; Ro 14:21; 1 Co 9:12; 1 Co 9:19–27; 1 Co 10:15–31

Abstinence may be hypocritical

Matthew 6:16 NASB 2020

“Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

See also Is 58:3–7; Je 14:10–12; Zec 7:2–6; Lk 18:11–12; 1 Ti 4:2–5