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Why do you think Jesus indicated that we shouldn’t “broadcast” when we are fasting to others?
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If you broadcast that is focusing the attention of you and not on God.
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Prayer that comes out of our time of fasting is typically very deep and often personal. Mainly we should not broadcast what we are doing because if we do so then we have already defeated the purpose of self- discipline. We also deny ourselves and reward in heaven when we do because we sought earthly acknowledgement rather than heavenly notice. We should not fast for recognition or broadcast it because it is prideful. The objective of fasting is to further humble ourselves and draw closer to God. So, really only God needs to know.
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when we broadcast anything we do, we are seeking acknowlegement from others in what we do. fasting is about seeking God solely.
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The Bible does not teach to never tell anyone. Scripture itself tells us all about people who fasted and the results. There is nothing wrong with sharing about past experiences or even declining food and saying, “I’m fasting right now.” How else are others to learn more about it? When Jesus said this in Matt 6:16-18, it was all about the intent, the reason, the heart behind the telling. We know this by the context, Matthew 6:1 says, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness in front of others to be seen by them…” It then talks of giving, prayer, forgiveness, fasting, storing up treasures, etc. all in the context of verse 1. The heart behind the telling is the wrongdoing i.e. telling others we are giving, praying, forgiving, fasting, etc for admiration or for pity takes from the true purpose of serving God and communing with Him.
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We fast to get closer to God , to have an intimate fellowship with Him and certainly not to have the focus on us. Honor is due to God not to us!
