Fasting.

[brinny]

It is training in discipline, exercising your will in saying "no" to certain foods you enjoy so that when faced with more difficult temptations you are better able to stand firm. Fasting is also done in preparation for major decisions and tasks.

This is helpful, thank you.

 

[brinny]

I fast for health, energy, mental clarity.

Thank you. It sounds like a "cleanse", like a "health thing". All of the above are good things, but how does GOD fit in there?

 

[thecolorsblend]

(If i posted this in the wrong place, please move it, mods. i wasn't sure where to post it. Thanks.)

I'm not good at "fasting". I have attempted it, but it's as if i'm attempting it in my "own" strength, and it just falls flat.

I would appreciate any insights into fasting and the different ways of fasting.

Thank you for any input.

"Fasting" can mean a lot of things. One tactic that a lot of beginners find useful is taking smaller portions during meals. Particularly during Lent, I have found that there’s considerable self-denial in not eating as much as I want.

I don’t go in much for total fasts. But forcing myself to accept less is a beneficial practice.

And some people who go for total fasts have said that taking baby steps getting there helped them with their fasting.

 

[brinny]

"Fasting" can mean a lot of things. One tactic that a lot of beginners find useful is taking smaller portions during meals. Particularly during Lent, I have found that there’s considerable self-denial in not eating as much as I want.

I don’t go in much for total fasts. But forcing myself to accept less is a beneficial practice.

And some people who go for total fasts have said that taking baby steps getting there helped them with their fasting.

That's a wunnerful idea.

Thank you.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Thank you. It sounds like a "cleanse", like a "health thing". All of the above are good things, but how does GOD fit in there?

When you really feel good physically and mentally you think less about yourself and more about others. Petty thoughts are replaced by higher thoughts. Very spiritual. Sages, gurus, and teachers throughout history have fasted for these very reasons. Many still do. It's hard to be spiritual when you're a mess physically. God gave us the Sabbath to rest and refresh. Fasting along with the Sabbath rest is a powerful spiritual tool.

 

[brinny]

When you really feel good physically and mentally you think less about yourself and more about others. Petty thoughts are replaced by higher thoughts. Very spiritual. Sages, gurus, and teachers throughout history have fasted for these very reasons. Many still do. It's hard to be spiritual when you're a mess physically. God gave us the Sabbath to rest and refresh. Fasting along with the Sabbath rest is a powerful spiritual tool.

Thank you. That's all very positive, and i agree, however, how does GOD fit into all of it?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Thank you. That's all very positive, and i agree, however, how does GOD fit into all of it?

All I can suggest is that you rest and fast on a Sabbath. Within a few days you'll see (probably by Wednesday depending on how large "the serpent within" is).

 

[brinny]

All I can suggest is that you rest and fast on a Sabbath. Within a few days you'll see (probably by Wednesday depending on how large "the serpent within" is).

LOL! Wut?

Would you care to elaborate on "the serpent within"?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

LOL! Wut?

Would you care to elaborate on "the serpent within"?

It's an old metaphor for the hidden fatigue as well as the vile substances that have accumulted in ones body that diminish health and vitality. Most don't realize this and accept this diminished condition as normal. It dulls your senses and interferes with your spiritual communication with God.

 

[brinny]

It's an old metaphor for the hidden fatigue as well as the vile substances that have accumulted in ones body that diminish health and vitality. Most don't realize this and accept this diminished condition as normal. It dulls your senses and interferes with your spiritual communication with God.

Did Jesus also experience the above during His 40 days of fasting?

Especially this:

It dulls your senses and interferes with your spiritual communication with God.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Did Jesus also experience the above during His 40 days of fasting?

Especially this:

Jesus had the Holy Spirit "without measure" so he was able to overcome much more than we are able to. It was the intensity of his prayer in the garden that caused the blood vessels in his forehead to rupture, such was the power of the Holy Spirit within him. Recall that he kept the OC Sabbath, which meant that he worked on that day, as did Israel by keeping day-long rituals. So even he didn't benefit physically from the weekly Sabbath, as we can today.

God-in-the-flesh would wear out the flesh in short order, thus his need for 40 days to recuperate his physical strength.

 

[brinny]

Jesus had the Holy Spirit "without measure" so he was able to overcome much more than we are able to. It was the intensity of his prayer in the garden that caused the blood vessels in his forehead to rupture, such was the power of the Holy Spirit within him. Recall that he kept the OC Sabbath, which meant that he worked on that day, as did Israel by keeping day-long rituals. So even he didn't benefit physically from the weekly Sabbath, as we can today.

God-in-the-flesh would wear out the flesh in short order, thus his need for 40 days to recuperate his physical strength.

Thank you. I agree that of course God's Holy Spirit dwelt in Jesus. What comes to mind from your post, is, was Jesus ALWAYS indwelt by God's Holy Spirit?

From your post #49:

It dulls your senses and interferes with your spiritual communication with God.

Did Jesus experience this?

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Why do you fast?

“If a king wanted to take possession of his enemy’s city, he would begin by cutting off the water and the food and so his enemies, dying of hunger, would submit to him. It is the same with the passions of the flesh: if a man goes about fasting and hungry the enemies of his soul grow weak.” - Abba John the Short

 

[brinny]

“If a king wanted to take possession of his enemy’s city, he would begin by cutting off the water and the food and so his enemies, dying of hunger, would submit to him. It is the same with the passions of the flesh: if a man goes about fasting and hungry the enemies of his soul grow weak.” - Abba John the Short

Thank you. I never thought of that. That's quite profound.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Thank you. I agree that of course God's Holy Spirit dwelt in Jesus. What comes to mind from your post, is, was Jesus ALWAYS indwelt by God's Holy Spirit?

From your post #49:

Did Jesus experience this?

I'm sure he did, but was able to work through it.

 

[brinny]

I'm sure he did, but was able to work through it.

Jesus struggled with this?

It dulls your senses and interferes with your spiritual communication with God.

 

[John100]

Fasting is to clean the soul from it's sins.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Thank you. It sounds like a "cleanse", like a "health thing". All of the above are good things, but how does GOD fit in there?

Your body is the "temple of the spirit". Gotta keep it clean.

 

[brinny]

Your body is the "temple of the spirit". Gotta keep it clean.

I agree.

The fasting thing, however, is about putting "me" and my "efforts" on a "back burner" so to speak, and is for the most part, a "spiritual" thing, about God and me, and seeking Him, while putting all encumbrances and distractions aside, isn't it?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Jesus struggled with this?

Jesus got tired, just like we do.