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what does bible say about lent

The Bible does not mention “Lent” as a named season, but it does teach the core practices behind it—fasting, repentance, prayer, and generous love—especially in light of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness.

Is Lent Actually in the Bible?

If you go looking for a verse that says “You shall keep Lent for 40 days,” you won’t find it.

  • The word “Lent” never appears in Scripture.
  • The specific church season of Lent developed later in Christian history as a way to prepare for Easter, inspired by biblical patterns.
  • Many Christians see it as an optional spiritual discipline, not a commandment on the level of baptism or the Lord’s Supper.

A bit like celebrating Christmas on 25 December: the date isn’t in the Bible, but celebrating Christ’s birth is very biblical. Lent works in a similar “biblical principle, later practice” way.

Key Biblical Foundations Behind Lent

Even though the season itself isn’t spelled out, the ideas behind Lent are all over Scripture.

1. Forty days of testing and preparation

The main biblical “picture” behind Lent is Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness:

  • Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan for forty days before beginning his public ministry.
  • The Gospels present this as a time of testing, obedience, and dependence on God, not on bread alone.

The Bible also uses “forty” as a symbolic number for testing or preparation:

  • Moses fasted forty days on the mountain before receiving the law.
  • Elijah journeyed forty days to Mount Horeb.

Christians later echoed this pattern with roughly forty days of focused repentance and renewal leading up to Easter.

2. Fasting: humble dependence on God

Fasting—one of the best‑known Lenten practices—is thoroughly biblical.

The Bible shows people fasting to:

  • Humble themselves before God.
  • Seek guidance and help.
  • Express repentance and sorrow for sin.
  • Deepen prayer and focus on God.

Jesus assumes his followers will fast at times: he says “ when you fast,” not “if you fast,” and he warns against doing it for show.

So the act of fasting in Lent fits Scripture well—provided it is done sincerely, not as a spiritual performance.

3. Repentance and returning to God

Lent is often described as a season of repentance —turning from sin toward God. That theme is central to both Old and New Testaments.

The Bible repeatedly calls God’s people to:

  • Confess their sins.
  • Seek forgiveness.
  • Return to God with their whole heart, not just external rituals.

Some Christians see Lent as 40 days of intentional “heart check”: less distraction, more honest prayer, and deliberate turning away from what harms their walk with God.

4. Prayer and giving

Traditional Lenten emphasis often includes prayer , fasting , and almsgiving (generosity).

  • The Bible calls believers to persistent prayer and trust in God.
  • It encourages generous giving to those in need as an expression of love and justice.

Lent doesn’t invent these practices; it simply gathers them into a focused season that leads up to remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Do Christians Have to Keep Lent?

Here’s where different Christian traditions diverge, and forum discussions show a wide range of opinions.

Common views you’ll hear

  • “Lent is helpful but optional.”
    Many Protestants and evangelicals say Lent is not commanded, not forbidden, and can be a good spiritual habit if done with the right heart.
  • “Lent is an important spiritual season.”
    Many Catholic, Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant churches treat Lent as a normal part of the Church’s yearly rhythm—an annual season of humility, repentance, and preparation.
  • “Lent can become legalistic.”
    Some Christians worry about people treating Lent as a rule God never gave, or as a way to feel more “spiritual” than others. They point out that the Bible warns against judging each other over days and food.

A thoughtful summary some writers and commenters make is: Lent can be wise discipline or empty ritual , depending on the heart, not the calendar.

How the Bible Guides How We Do Lent

If someone chooses to observe Lent, Scripture gives clear guardrails on the attitude behind it.

1. Not for show Jesus warns against fasting to be seen by others.

  • The focus should be on drawing closer to God, not posting spiritual achievements.

2. Not judging others The Bible cautions believers not to look down on those who eat or don’t eat certain foods, or who regard certain days differently.

  • Some Christians are helped by Lent; others are not. Scripture pushes both sides away from pride or contempt.

3. Not a replacement for obedience The prophets and Jesus both stress that outward practices mean little if hearts remain hard and unjust.

  • Giving up chocolate while clinging to bitterness or injustice misses the point.
  • Taking up generosity, reconciliation, and obedience while fasting or simplifying life is more in line with the Bible’s spirit.

Quick forum‑style snapshot

“Is Lent biblical?” Top answers in many Christian forums go something like:
“The season of Lent is a church tradition, not a biblical command. But fasting, repentance, prayer, and preparing your heart for Easter are entirely biblical—and can be very helpful if you don’t make it a legalistic rule.”

TL;DR – What Does the Bible Say About Lent?

  • The Bible does not mention the word “Lent” or command a 40‑day pre‑Easter season.
  • The Bible does present 40‑day periods of testing and preparation, especially Jesus’ fast in the wilderness, which inspired the length and feel of Lent.
  • Practices often associated with Lent—fasting, prayer, repentance, generosity—are all strongly taught and modeled in Scripture.
  • Whether to observe Lent is a matter of Christian freedom and wisdom , not a salvation issue; the Bible pushes believers to avoid pride, showiness, or judgment over it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.