It is amazing to see how many people in the Bible seem to have a religion unto themselves. It is of man and of their own invention. Sometimes it as simple as following blind traditions handed down to them from their fathers.
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? — Zechariah 7:5 (KJV)
Can you imagine? The fasts in question had been going on for 70 years and they weren’t acceptable to God! Why is that? I think it has to do with their hearts. Their hearts were not after God, but rather they lived their lives for themselves and added some godly traditions.
It is an ineffectual salve. It will not heal anything.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. — Psalm 51:17 (KJV)
Any man may fast and many will have a religious motive behind it. They may very well look righteous in all that they do.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. — Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)
Look at your life before God. Do it in secret. Let Him show you your sin. Repent! Live your life for God in all truth.
God bless, Mike