Questions about fasting

ARBITER01 said:

Fasting in OT times was just a removal of solid food from your diet. When Jesus did His long term fast, what does the text say? "He hungered." So the fast that Jesus did was just a normal non-food fast, not a divine fast from food and water.

Trying to fast from items or activities is not really described in the word. I guess you can do it, but I don't think it would have much significance if there is not a precedent in the past.

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AlexB23 said:

Wow. That is interesting stuff. A lot of Catholics nowadays fast from certain types of foods, meat, or television, news, social media, and have said that they have become more involved in prayer or felt better when avoiding the news or television.

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ARBITER01 said:

Well you can do it, it's not like it will hurt you somehow, I'm only pointing out that it doesn't really have a precedent in the word about it. I don't think you would receive some sort of spiritual blessing for doing it.

There are different fasts a person can do that are not really biblical, such as an intermittent fast where you only eat 1 mean a day at a specific time repeatedly. I've done it and lost quite a bit of weight in the process.

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AlexB23 said:

I understand. Also, in the Bible, technology like TV and near instantaneous news didn't exist though. But, I understand there is a different between biblical fasting and what people do for Lent in the 21st century. However, both biblical or modern fasting from digital technology have benefits which can help us become closer to God.

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dwb001 said:

The Bible says "when you fast..." not "if you fast..." Matt 6:16

So it is not as if you are not called to fast but Jesus gives instructions on how to.
We are called to fast. Without drawing attention to your suffering.
You would be amazed how focused you can get if you do a Bible centered fast.

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ARBITER01 said:

I would say the more modern type fasting has benefits for our bodies. The more bible centered fast, as what Jesus did, would be the one that brings you closer to GOD spiritually. We are Christians, so we need to understand what pleases GOD and what doesn't, and I think the more careful we are to His word on things, the more He blesses us.

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AlexB23 said:

That is also true. I feel that both types of fasting can benefit us spiritually, though the biblical type is more effective.

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ARBITER01 said:

Well anytime we are doing things to sort of purge our body of waste and such, it is better. To climb up closer to GOD spiritually though takes more than just fasting. You'll find that worship brings you the closest.

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