Is fasting from food still relevant or is God looking for you to fast from maybe TV or video games? Or do you just fast from food?
Is fasting from food still relevant
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both, i think.
fasting has a physical affect on the body that can be a benefit in some ways -- but the purpose of fasting, should be to focus on God, to remind yourself that He Himself, His words, and to do His will, is "food enough" and to remove distractions.
in that sense, fasting from TV & video games and other things that we devote time to, to instead devote time to Him, i think is also completely relevant.
fasting has a physical affect on the body that can be a benefit in some ways -- but the purpose of fasting, should be to focus on God, to remind yourself that He Himself, His words, and to do His will, is "food enough" and to remove distractions.
in that sense, fasting from TV & video games and other things that we devote time to, to instead devote time to Him, i think is also completely relevant.
You would be both surprised and shocked at what is still relevant, however the purpose of fasting is to abstain from certain and/or all foods to subdue the body so that the sprit (your spirit) can be more attentive to spiritual things. I see no reason why one cannot "fast" other things that distract us from drawing close to the source of life.
Anything that can strengthen our knowledge of the holy is never obsolete.(prov. 9:10) (Isa. 58:6) from a medical standpoint use caution and from a practical standpoint pray first and seek guidance , He will surely lead you if you choose to seek His council.
Anything that can strengthen our knowledge of the holy is never obsolete.(prov. 9:10) (Isa. 58:6) from a medical standpoint use caution and from a practical standpoint pray first and seek guidance , He will surely lead you if you choose to seek His council.
G
Gr8grace
Guest
God does not "look" to us to fast from anything.
If we fast from something/anything to put our focus on Him and His plan for us..........and really concentrate on Him.We don't benefit from the fasting and what we denied ourselves. We benefit from our focus on Him.
AND
If we tell someone/anybody that we are fasting from something............stop fasting and eat all the chocolate you want.It is not fasting after we let someone know we are fasting.
It is personal and between the Lord and the believer alone.
It is still a biblical principle to fast with food, so yes we are to still find growth and benefit in the fasting of food, some may have to alter that as a Diabetic or other concerns, but God understands this..it's not a have to issue it is a benefit issue. But it is also true that anything sacrificed for the purpose of spending focused time with the Lord in prayer and fellowship with God is of good order and benefits us as well. So, I am chiming in on the "both" vote on that score. Prayer may get my 42" T.V. to turn into a 55" right? Wrong! Not the point....smile, yet who knows, even that may happen if it be His will...smile. Prayer is being there for God to initiate it. If, in the Spirit, we must learn new things how can I start it? I praise, and express need, and sit still and listen, by Word stimulation, or Song, or stillness and expectancy. I experience 3 hr prayers often and it is like a detox treatment. I get in touch with my particulars as I put it. My relationship with things who control me, and things that are knocking at the door for the role. I hope there are more questions that one was easy smile. Heb. 12:2 & Psalms 27:4
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Esther 4:16
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Matthew 6:16
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Matthew 6:16
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
S
sassylady
Guest
I have fasted coffee, or a tv program I love, etc. I get very low blood sugar and just cannot seem to go even a day fasting. I have seen results from fasting other things.
I was wanting to, but I wasn't sure if not eating food was really what I should be doing, it seemed back in biblical times eating food was much more of a task, I mean it took a lot to make a meal back then. Now a days we just preheat an oven while we sit and watch tv. But I think cutting out maybe my video game and tv time for a week would be much more devoting you know?
I would say it's from whatever the Holy Spirit wants you to put aside in order to focus and have clarity with him.
But then again you aren't getting the physical part you would by not eating. So maybe that would be more effective. Because instead of just sacrificing your time, your sacrificing your want for food, and in that weakness you look to God more then you would just siting on the couch with a full stomach
Heres a few where we could probably weave in between various parts to show something of what they were doing, what God chose and what Jesus said concerning it.
Theres a couple verses before this one, but to this point here he sais
Isaiah 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Similarly Jesus says,
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Then he speaks of their own fasting
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 16:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Which His disciples (at the time) did not appear to be fasting given the question posed to Jesus in Mark 2:18-19
Then in Isaiah speaks of the fast he had chosen
Isaiah 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?
Iniquities are also shown as a heavy burden
Psalm 38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me
Jesus was both healing people and forgiving their iniquities
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years,be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
To loose the bands of wickedness,
Even as we see here,
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:who went about doing good, and healing allthat were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Thus, to let the oppressed go free
Burdens breaking yokes can be shown
Isaiah 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?
The undoing and bearing one another burdens,
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Even Moses is shown as a yoke, and you can see it beginning to be added in Acts
And breaking every yoke, could be inclusive of this one
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
And we lay upon you no greater burden...
Acst 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
The apostles were breaking off yokes and burdens in that way, where Jesus speaks of the other binding up burdens on others.
Luke 11: 35 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
Luke 11:36 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Whereas again,
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Isaiah continues in respects to the fast, saying also
Isaiah 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, (James 2:15) that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
If you back up, it shows fasting for something (which is not good)
Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
That fast wont get you heard on high, Paul said he was in fastings often.
I do find getting caught up in the things of God, by seeking him (first) that you dont even think of food. In that your thoughts become clearer and His presence magnified.
I have to return to this one, but it seems to show, both from food, and what they did (that he wasnt approving of) and also what he sought of them to do.
Theres a couple verses before this one, but to this point here he sais
Isaiah 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Similarly Jesus says,
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Then he speaks of their own fasting
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 16:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Which His disciples (at the time) did not appear to be fasting given the question posed to Jesus in Mark 2:18-19
Then in Isaiah speaks of the fast he had chosen
Isaiah 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?
Iniquities are also shown as a heavy burden
Psalm 38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me
Jesus was both healing people and forgiving their iniquities
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years,be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
To loose the bands of wickedness,
Even as we see here,
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:who went about doing good, and healing allthat were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Thus, to let the oppressed go free
Burdens breaking yokes can be shown
Isaiah 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?
The undoing and bearing one another burdens,
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Even Moses is shown as a yoke, and you can see it beginning to be added in Acts
And breaking every yoke, could be inclusive of this one
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
And we lay upon you no greater burden...
Acst 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
The apostles were breaking off yokes and burdens in that way, where Jesus speaks of the other binding up burdens on others.
Luke 11: 35 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
Luke 11:36 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Whereas again,
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Isaiah continues in respects to the fast, saying also
Isaiah 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, (James 2:15) that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
If you back up, it shows fasting for something (which is not good)
Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
That fast wont get you heard on high, Paul said he was in fastings often.
I do find getting caught up in the things of God, by seeking him (first) that you dont even think of food. In that your thoughts become clearer and His presence magnified.
I have to return to this one, but it seems to show, both from food, and what they did (that he wasnt approving of) and also what he sought of them to do.
J
jaybird88
Guest
depriving ones self of material possessions for a certain time would probably not be a bad idea. but i dont think this is fasting.
fasting from my understanding is depriving your self of food until you reach a point of separation from this world and you have more focus on the spiritual world. it may sound crazy but wise spiritual people been doing it for a long time.
fasting from my understanding is depriving your self of food until you reach a point of separation from this world and you have more focus on the spiritual world. it may sound crazy but wise spiritual people been doing it for a long time.
Some people think fasting (from food) is very important. I have problems with low blood sugar, and if I don't get enough to eat, I get very sick. I think there are a lot of people like me.
You should fast from everything that is important to you. So you will learn to control your desires/flash/brain/whatever.
Fasting from food can teach us how to fight with desires of our body, fasting from PC games can teach us how to fight with our habits, for example.
Cant you fast from food but supply the needed sugar somehow? Just asking. If not, I think that you can fast from other desires of body with the same result, i.e. learning how to control yourself and how to get more time for God.
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C
coby
Guest
Well fasting from food is no use if you sit behind the computer the whole day. I've Daniel fasted a lot the last years (bread) because I had no money or was too lazy, in combination with internet addiction it doesn't really work. It's praying and you support that with not eating. It's time I do it again. I used to fast and then pray the whole day, otherwise fasting is absolutely no use. Even atheists do it for their body.
I agree with you completely. That's the whole point of the exercise of fasting.