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

Abstinence from work

Leviticus 16:29–31 NKJV

“This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.

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

Expressing a seeking after God

Acts 13:1–2 NKJV

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

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

Temporary sexual abstinence as a form of discipline

Ex 19:15; 1 Sa 21:4–5; 1 Co 7:5

1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Denial of selfish desires

Mt 16:24 ; 1 Pe 2:11

Matthew 16:24 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

See also Ro 13:13

Romans 13:13 NKJV

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Voluntary abstinence for the sake of others

1 Corinthians 8:13 NKJV

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

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 NKJV

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

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