Is Fasting Required for Christians?

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Apr 13, 2007
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#1
This seems to be a rather popular topic, and many(including myself) have questions about it. So I went to gotquestions.org and looked it up! Here you go!

Question: "Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?"

Answer:
Scripture does not command Christians to fast. It is not something that God requires or demands of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and expected. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world, and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to yourself, that you are serious about your relationship with Him. Fasting helps you to gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish your flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a
 
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Slepsog4

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#2
There is no direct command for fasting for Christians in the Apostles' Doctrine. Jesus spoke of during his ministry. He was correcting the abuses of it among some of the Jews...Pharisees in particular
 
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