Fasting

[Kixa]

What Matthew 6:16 says:
"And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get."

He says "WHEN you fast," Just curious, how many of you guys have ever fasted? And, being a girl, have in past years been guilty of while fasting, almost subconsciously using it as a form of dieting and not for prayer and focusing on God more. Plus parents don't really understand when you just don't have dinner, but fasting should be kept between just you and God...
So anyway, has anyone ever fasted before? Opinions on fasting?

 

[lovernotafighter]

Yes I have. Since then though, my beliefs have changed (I was never too fond of it, tbh). And while I don't see anything particularly WRONG with it, I consider it unnecessary, as the true Christian already controls his/her impulses, without removing them completely (esp. in regards to food)

Mark 2:19

How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.

Since Jesus is risen, he is eternally with us.

How can we fast?

 

[Kixa]

Good point, I do think that it is profitable for practicing self-control and it really has inhanced my spititual life because when you're brain doesn't constantly have a nutritional supply it proccesses things differently and can help to view things differently. Plus, it's good for the digestive system to have a break once in a while, an if everything that's good comes from God, wouldn't this mean that the stomache was ment to go without food once in awhile? Just getting my thoughts out, they're only opinions. =)

 

[Girder of Loins]

Well, fasting is a way to seperate the fleshy desires of the world from your relationship with Christ. And it doesn't have to be food. But answering someone why you are not doing something is different than flaunting it in everyone's face. The Pharisees used to adorn themselves with stuff and make it a huge, social deal. So Jesus wanted to put an end to that.

 

[Rhayven]

Awesome, Fasting without prayer is just a diet. ))

I have and my mind is totally blown. -mind blown.

 

[itisdeliciouscake]

Yes I have. Since then though, my beliefs have changed (I was never too fond of it, tbh). And while I don't see anything particularly WRONG with it, I consider it unnecessary, as the true Christian already controls his/her impulses, without removing them completely (esp. in regards to food)

Mark 2:19


Since Jesus is risen, he is eternally with us.

How can we fast?

That's grossly out of context...

 

[mighty2save]

I have fasted along with intense prayer twice in the past. But recently I have felt the Lords conviction to fast once a month and spend the day in prayer.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

It can be simply spirit lifting to deny.

 

[annieboo]

I love fasting. God really shows himself in a powerful way when He knows you are sacrificing for Him. I like that verse you put up about it--I've never seen it before.

 

[NvxiaLee]

Yes I have. Since then though, my beliefs have changed (I was never too fond of it, tbh). And while I don't see anything particularly WRONG with it, I consider it unnecessary, as the true Christian already controls his/her impulses, without removing them completely (esp. in regards to food)

Mark 2:19


Since Jesus is risen, he is eternally with us.

How can we fast?

It's strange that Jesus would giving instructions on how to fast "When you fast..." if he didn't expect people to fast. It's also strange that the saints after Christ's resurrection fasted, "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers.... While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting..."

If you are going to quote Mark 2:19, you should have gone to Mark 2:20, "But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast." Speaking of v.19, it says "guests of the bridegroom". I don't see how that would include anyone not physically with Jesus. Wasn't Jesus taken from us, up into the sky? Even John's disciples fasted in the day of Jesus' earthly ministry, and they were saints themselves. And, of course, Jesus fasted.

 

[NvxiaLee]

Well, fasting is a way to seperate the fleshy desires of the world from your relationship with Christ. And it doesn't have to be food. But answering someone why you are not doing something is different than flaunting it in everyone's face. The Pharisees used to adorn themselves with stuff and make it a huge, social deal. So Jesus wanted to put an end to that.

Indeed, eating is a form of self-indulgence, as well as sustenance. Fasting doesn't appeal to the hedonistic lifestyle that is so common today. But, fasting helps separates the desires of the world from our relationship with Christ.

 

[truewinner]

I have never fasted, but I can see how it can help with self discipline though.

 

[andyjins]

I am fasting a little bit.

 

[Rynomachine]

Fasting is not a good idea. It is unhealthy.

 

[Antw28]

I have never fasted before.

 

[Kixa]

The Health Benefits of Fasting | Serendip's Exchange

Here's a site I found of an expert explaining some reasons why people fast, and the health benefits thereof.

 

[Forsakenfaith]

Well I used to fast, however I dont practice it recently due to the fact i LOVE my food . But Whenever I do fast, It does bring one closer to God.
The holy spirit graces you when you fast, you have that glow, that energy that you never experience without knowing god. I enjoy fasting it is very important.

 

[ninasanguina]

I recently have fasted for the first time... and at first when i did it i didnt understand that it was supposed to be private.. how wrong i was!!! I told my dad and my family and friends openly about it and my dad took me aside and told me something i never knew before... he fasted for 40 days before!!!! He told me barely anyone knows about it... but he shared some things with me about it. He told me that after the first 3 or 4 days of being hungry (which is just your mind telling you that... not your body, cause your body could go days without food) after those days he said his whole mind was filled with God. Like literally his mind was opened up to the marvelous things of God. He said he knew God. literally.. He said it was the most amazing thing that ever happened to him!!! He explained it as if he before (like most people) saw God like a light coming through a slit in the door... and when he fasted for 40 days it was like the door opened!! GOD REVEALED HIMSELF!!! He experienced GOd like never before!
After that i have fasted a few times and its been mostly me pouring myself out to God.... but what i want is for God to reveal himself to me like He did for my dad; and i will keep doing it until i have been satisfied with the fullness of the ALMIGHTY GOD!!!