Asceticism

[memoriesbymichelle]

Asceticism (from the Greek: ἄσκησις, áskēsis, "exercise" or "training") describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals. Many religious traditions (e.g. Buddhism, Jainism, the Christian desert fathers) include practices that involve restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth. They practiced asceticism not as a rejection of the enjoyment of life, or because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of salvation or liberation.

Self deprivation.

So I go out at lunch and in the car I heard this very interesting sermon which relates to alot of discussion here at this forum today.

Play The Pleasure Principle, Part 1 - Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress

I like how he says that a Christian is not determined by what they do NOT do, but by what they DO and alot of people explain christians by the negatives instead of the positives. If you ask a non-believer what is a christian they usually say something like "they don't drink, they don't smoke etc" IOW describing what we DON'T do. (starts at 12:19)

 

[blackribbon]

I see most forms of deprivation as being kind of worthless, unless what you are depriving yourself of is being used to help someone else....Mother Teresa and what missionaries do. If you make a religion of depriving yourself, you aren't doing anything of value.

I do believe that sometimes a period of deprivation or fasting can be a good thing if it is being used to turn your focus on God...but our bodies are God's Temples and we are to care for them, not abuse them.

Now, as American Christians, we tend toward 'gluttony' in all areas of our lives...so living a life of moderation is probably viewed as 'deprivation' but isn't really. We probably all could use a little more moderation in many parts of our lives.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Did anyone listen to this? It's a really good message. Well at least I got alot out of it.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

here's part 2

The Pleasure Principle, Part 2 - Listen to Dr. Robert Jeffress from Pathway to Victory

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Pleasure is a gift from God meant to draw us toward God not away from Him.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Asceticism feeds your flesh by starving your flesh.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

deprivation never leads to sanctification