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A
Jesus didn't decide "hey it's a good time to fast"
He was chased into the desert by Satan and chose to spend his time in prayer instead of searching for food He searched for God.
He did not refuse the food angels gave Him after Satan left.
For me most people fast for the wrong reason and only fast from food and not the other distractions of their life like Jesus did in the desert.
Health benefits, answers to self centered prayers are not good reasons to fast. They are what Isaiah 58 calls "you fast for strife and debate, to strike with the fist of wickedness."
God calls us every day to fast from wickedness. There maybe moments in a believers life when you don't eat for days because you are too busy doing God's work. God keeps and sustains us during that time, but if people offer us food then it is not wrong to accept it because they offer it out of love.
As with anything we must do as God leads and not make our own way because we think WE know best. We have to pray and ask God.
Jesus says if you pray and fast, then do it in a manner that the rest of the world knows nothing about it. Don't exclaim it to the rooftops, wash your face and go about your day normally.
Most often we fast when we feel God is far from and we feel our enemies surround us.
Fasting is a "non-violent" means of protest. Gandhi did it to get people who loved him to listen.
In the same way, we sometimes use it as an extreme measure to "get God's attention" when we feel distant from God and His love. Does God approve? How would you feel if your child went on a hunger strike?
Someone asked why did the Apostles not be able to,cast out certain demons. They were immature and not deeply rooted in Christ. Also they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
If you want your life to look more like Christ, work on becoming a mature Christain.
A 3 day or 10 day fast from food isn't the quick fix you need.
But who wants milk when strangers offer candy?
The gospel is the milk all-new Christians should drink.
God's Word is the pure milk. Spend time in His presence through prayer and thanksgiving. Spend time in His words through study and meditation. And you will see the fruit of the Spirit displayed in your life.then you will see how God's light of love and truth touches and changes not only you but those around you.
Drink pure milk, not throw up or candy covered dung.
He was chased into the desert by Satan and chose to spend his time in prayer instead of searching for food He searched for God.
He did not refuse the food angels gave Him after Satan left.
For me most people fast for the wrong reason and only fast from food and not the other distractions of their life like Jesus did in the desert.
Health benefits, answers to self centered prayers are not good reasons to fast. They are what Isaiah 58 calls "you fast for strife and debate, to strike with the fist of wickedness."
God calls us every day to fast from wickedness. There maybe moments in a believers life when you don't eat for days because you are too busy doing God's work. God keeps and sustains us during that time, but if people offer us food then it is not wrong to accept it because they offer it out of love.
As with anything we must do as God leads and not make our own way because we think WE know best. We have to pray and ask God.
Jesus says if you pray and fast, then do it in a manner that the rest of the world knows nothing about it. Don't exclaim it to the rooftops, wash your face and go about your day normally.
Most often we fast when we feel God is far from and we feel our enemies surround us.
Fasting is a "non-violent" means of protest. Gandhi did it to get people who loved him to listen.
In the same way, we sometimes use it as an extreme measure to "get God's attention" when we feel distant from God and His love. Does God approve? How would you feel if your child went on a hunger strike?
Someone asked why did the Apostles not be able to,cast out certain demons. They were immature and not deeply rooted in Christ. Also they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
If you want your life to look more like Christ, work on becoming a mature Christain.
A 3 day or 10 day fast from food isn't the quick fix you need.
But who wants milk when strangers offer candy?
The gospel is the milk all-new Christians should drink.
God's Word is the pure milk. Spend time in His presence through prayer and thanksgiving. Spend time in His words through study and meditation. And you will see the fruit of the Spirit displayed in your life.then you will see how God's light of love and truth touches and changes not only you but those around you.
Drink pure milk, not throw up or candy covered dung.
Last edited by a moderator:
A
Fasting means to abstain from something...not just food. The Bible mentions you should,not abstain from sex unless your spouse agrees or you open the door to troubles with Satan.
Some Bible verses on fasting.
******
Acts 13:3
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:23
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Acts 13:2
While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Matthew 6:16-18
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Mark 2:18-20
John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Luke 5:33-35
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink." And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
Some Bible verses on fasting.
******
Acts 13:3
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:23
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Acts 13:2
While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Matthew 6:16-18
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Mark 2:18-20
John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Luke 5:33-35
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink." And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
R
I didn't mean learning God was a skill. I was just saying I am not used to having to dig that deep into anything to learn it or figure it out is all. What I mean is say I wanted to learn something in history I could just read about it like once or tour a museum and learn almost everything you would want to know about it. I soak up knowledge like a sponge. The Bible, God, walking in faith is a whole other level. I actually for the second time in my life have to actually work at it. The first time was algebra... I am a hands on/visual learner mainly. I'm not bragging just saying how God has blessed me is all.
You can't say for sure that Jesus decided to spend his time in prayer rather then search for food. Where to you come to that?
The bible says; "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."
If anything the bible implies that Jesus was aware the time was coming when he would fast. You think the Son of God said, "oh no food, guess I will fast. Wow, what a great way to start my ministry. Fantastic coincidence."
Also, there is nothing wrong with fasting for health benefits as well as spiritual. It is not selfish. Our bodies are our temples. It is selfish to eat a bad diet and rob your kids of precious years of life with you. I don't literally mean you, obviously.
A day to 10 day fast can release a lot of power. Don't degenerate it.
And I don't agree that more often we fast when God is far rom us? How do you reckon that?
M
Jesus was the One that won the battle for us because of the weakness of our flesh .. Jesus did a lot of things we could never do because He is the Savior ..we are the ones being saved. And "fasting" is not mentioned so often in the New Testament ..in fact the very opposite ...that we serve God in the Spirit and not in the flesh
Fasting is very important acturly. Praying and fasting.
you dont eat from sunrise to sunset and no meat just healthy stuff.
Its to humble our sould because the sping of the spirit is in our stomache
Psalm 69:10
When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
..
Its also a Telegram to put things before the Lords throne
Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
..
Disciplining your body
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
..
And for spiritual deliverance...
Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
And Jesus said when you fast..not if you fast
Matthew 6:16
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
I hope I didnt forget anything God bless you
you dont eat from sunrise to sunset and no meat just healthy stuff.
Its to humble our sould because the sping of the spirit is in our stomache
Psalm 69:10
When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
..
Its also a Telegram to put things before the Lords throne
Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
..
Disciplining your body
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
..
And for spiritual deliverance...
Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
And Jesus said when you fast..not if you fast
Matthew 6:16
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
I hope I didnt forget anything God bless you
M
Sorry guys fasting is a work of the flesh in a attempt to justify the flesh ..of course your going to find fasting scriptures in the OT law.. But you cannot teach fasting as a sound doctrine under the NEW Covenant that puts no confidence in the flesh.
If godliness can be attained through neglect of the body ...you don't need Jesus, you can save and perfect yourself.
If godliness can be attained through neglect of the body ...you don't need Jesus, you can save and perfect yourself.
Okay, you seemed to have convinced yourself. Your arguments from this post (and the others, which I refuted) don't make sense to me. But I am not going to argue this with you anymore, I know the power of fasting. Are you familiar with Daniel and the 3 weeks while he was fasting? I will leave it at that.
I am not the fasting police. Your loss.
Don't fast.
You can still be a very productive and spiritual Christian without doing it. But you are definitely missing out, I can state that beyond a shadow of doubt.
Maybe one day you'll get it...
I am not the fasting police. Your loss.
Don't fast.
You can still be a very productive and spiritual Christian without doing it. But you are definitely missing out, I can state that beyond a shadow of doubt.
Maybe one day you'll get it...
Hey rdb,
As Ariel noted in post #23, fasting is a part of the New Covenant. Look especially at Matthew 6. Jesus says "when" you fast...not "if" you fast. It seems like He expects that His followers will fast.
Jesus probably means for it to be mostly helpful for us spiritually...not physically. (although there are benefits that way too.) His time in the desert probably wasn't a "40 Day Physical Cleansing" so much as a mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation for His public ministry. He fasted in Matthew 4:2 ish and then Matthew 4:17 says, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, 'Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (KJV) Sortof sounds like the start of His public ministry, I think. Sortof kicking things in gear.
Anyways, fasting is a temporary self-denial of something that is good (food, marital sex, etc.) to help us gain something better like:
1. Helping us to remember that spiritual things are more important than physical things, (Paul says something like that somewhere)
2. Helping us to keep control of physical pleasures,
3. Helping us to grow closer to God,
4. Helping us to pray better through suffering for others (see Colossians 1:24),
5. Helping us to improve our prayer life,
6. Helping us to remember that we depend on God for all things.
Just like with prayer, it is the attitude of one's heart that matters. Prideful prayer and prideful fasting ain't worth much, if anything.
Humble prayer and humble fasting is.
I'm with ya on how hard it can be. (It seems like inevitably someone will offer me pizza during a fast.
) But hey....a 3 hour fast is a 3 hour fast. It counts. Then how about 4 hours next week. 5 the next week. Or whatever. I think Paul says something about pummeling his body or disciplining his body to help himself spiritually somewhere. I'd have to look it up. Don't know if he is talking about fasting or not....but makes me think of it.
Just 2 cents.
God bless.
As Ariel noted in post #23, fasting is a part of the New Covenant. Look especially at Matthew 6. Jesus says "when" you fast...not "if" you fast. It seems like He expects that His followers will fast.
Jesus probably means for it to be mostly helpful for us spiritually...not physically. (although there are benefits that way too.) His time in the desert probably wasn't a "40 Day Physical Cleansing" so much as a mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation for His public ministry. He fasted in Matthew 4:2 ish and then Matthew 4:17 says, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, 'Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (KJV) Sortof sounds like the start of His public ministry, I think. Sortof kicking things in gear.
Anyways, fasting is a temporary self-denial of something that is good (food, marital sex, etc.) to help us gain something better like:
1. Helping us to remember that spiritual things are more important than physical things, (Paul says something like that somewhere)
2. Helping us to keep control of physical pleasures,
3. Helping us to grow closer to God,
4. Helping us to pray better through suffering for others (see Colossians 1:24),
5. Helping us to improve our prayer life,
6. Helping us to remember that we depend on God for all things.
Just like with prayer, it is the attitude of one's heart that matters. Prideful prayer and prideful fasting ain't worth much, if anything.
Humble prayer and humble fasting is.
I'm with ya on how hard it can be. (It seems like inevitably someone will offer me pizza during a fast.
) But hey....a 3 hour fast is a 3 hour fast. It counts. Then how about 4 hours next week. 5 the next week. Or whatever. I think Paul says something about pummeling his body or disciplining his body to help himself spiritually somewhere. I'd have to look it up. Don't know if he is talking about fasting or not....but makes me think of it. Just 2 cents.
God bless.
I have to disagree with you, Mits.... I understand why you believe what you do, but I believe there is a reason for fasting, or it wouldn't have been mentioned at all.
I've heard, and tend to believe, that fasting will release you from many "natural man" issues. If you are not wondering at 10:00 am "where should I go eat lunch today?" but, instead thinking "I can't wait for my lunch break so I can go to my car and spend time in prayer and meditation", it can't help but improve your walk with God.
Fasting is a giving up of earthly things in order to improve your spiritual life. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn out kind of thing... it might be simply one day in which you concentrate on nothing but God, and life, and our relationship with Jesus.
But, like scripture says... don't make a big deal out of it so that others will think you're some kind of "super Christian".... that's doing it for the wrong reason.
Is it required? I don't know... I don't think so. But, I do think it is a positive "tool" we can use to improve our spiritual well being.
I've heard, and tend to believe, that fasting will release you from many "natural man" issues. If you are not wondering at 10:00 am "where should I go eat lunch today?" but, instead thinking "I can't wait for my lunch break so I can go to my car and spend time in prayer and meditation", it can't help but improve your walk with God.
Fasting is a giving up of earthly things in order to improve your spiritual life. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn out kind of thing... it might be simply one day in which you concentrate on nothing but God, and life, and our relationship with Jesus.
But, like scripture says... don't make a big deal out of it so that others will think you're some kind of "super Christian".... that's doing it for the wrong reason.
Is it required? I don't know... I don't think so. But, I do think it is a positive "tool" we can use to improve our spiritual well being.