Better Obedience Through Fasting?

God spoke to me through this passage today:

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Heb. 5:8-10

Obedience is what I am focused on in my walk, and it is probably my weakest area. A quick search on the Lumina App directed me to these verses.

After reading them, I was confronted by my lack of obedience and lack of suffering in the name of Jesus. The reason I think is that I have never fasted. I'm not sure why, but I never have.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions in this area. Thanks.

Perhaps the following from Isaiah may shed much light on your question.

Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

.... and to not follow the mob even though you want to be with them, because you know they are going in the wrong direction!

This is a very good subject you're talking about. Probably one of the best.

Fasting's good; it's one thing you can do, but in moderation. Some people think the more they fast the better; they start to see fasting as a magic bullet.

The secret to obedience is surrendering our will to His. It's an everyday battle and encompasses everything we do.

Start with the Biblical definition of fasting:

Fasting is essentially giving up food (or something else) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God. While fasting, many people read the Bible, pray, or worship. Fasting is found throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, over fifty times!

What Does Fasting Mean in the Bible? Biblical Fasting …

As for "obedience," you COULD get some negative comments due to some folks here believe one who seeks to be obedient to God/Jesus is trying to "earn" their salvation; which they consider legalistic. Truth is, obedience is a "fruit" of salvation, not a way to "earn" salvation.

If one does NOT live a life of obedience to God/Jesus they WILL NOT enter into eternal life with Him according to the Scriptures I read. This alone should be motivation enough for any person to seek to be obedient to the Commandments of God/Jesus.

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Acts 5:29 - Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1 Peter 1:14 - As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Exodus 23:22 - But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Psalms 119:30 - I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

2 Kings 18:6 - For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

John 14:31 - But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Isaiah 1:19 - If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

1 John 3:24 - And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

John 8:51 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Psalms 119:60 - I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Much more a part of early Christianity than it is today because they walked under an entirely different mentality, and did not make excuses for the flesh but sought to bring it under through fasting and prayer.

Fasting, however, is in and of itself a type of suffering and obedience, so your statement confuses me just a little.

What sort of comments or suggestions were you asking about? I've fasted plenty, though not enough in last few years unfortunately.

God bless, and thank you for sharing,
- V

Satan rules the kingdom of the world. Luke 4:5-6
Then the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

We are born into this kingdom of the world, but we are born again into the kingdom of heaven. Our desires change, to we want to obey God instead of obeying the desires of our flesh.

Fasting is a time when we even deny the desire of our flesh for food to give our all to the Lord. It can result in tremendous spiritual growth.

When I, along with my classmates, had our deliverance session, we fasted first. The scripture given was Isaiah 58:6 As we found out, one reason was so that there wouldn't be so much vomit on the floor! I don't recall anyone vomiting, though at the time, I was predisposed, my face ground into the carpet much of the time. It was awesome and unpleasant. Now I know what turning inside out must feel like! Lol

ive come to see the New Testament is applicable to spirit and ot to flesh what I mean is there’s a translation to at occurs

in the ot flesh covenant it’s about fasting from food subjecting one’s self in supplications through fasting physically

fasting from The lusts of the flesh and presence of the world in Christ is the translation as we starve the bad influences within us be turn our eyes and ears away from those things we know arent of God there is a feeling of hunger for our old worldly ways like during a fast

as we starve the evil and feed the good with the thkngs we know are of Gods Will for us deep change happens within our soul d we can see light of freedom

what I mean to say is fasting from food is one thing , but intentionally and purposefully fasting from sin and the pleasures of the flesh is another

the ot should be observed through the spiritual principles we learn in the new testsment doctrine

Sorry, I did not mean to confuse you.

Thank you for the encouragement.

I just meant I didn't know exactly how to respond.

Any questions you wanted to ask specifically?