Questions from Family

[~SHINE~]

We're told to fast in silence and not to tell other people. OK... but what about when our family asks us why we're not eating? We shouldn't lie to them and say we're not hungry... what if they try to make us eat? I'm pretty sure my parents won't hold with the idea of fasting...

 

[ibdancegirl]

yeah i have a problem with that too... I told my mom the last time in the morning that my youth pastor, accountability partner and i were fasting that day... but i really don't like telling anyone. any advice? ... i need it SOON please thanks!

 

[cat has felt the light!]

my rents so wouldn't let me fast but sometimes I feel a need to!, they aren't even christian how do I explain it in a way which may sound ok to them?
C@ xx

 

[nb_christseeker]

hmm i have this problem too.

try bible verses:
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

or just say "I am serving the Lord my God." and offer to do extra chores.

 

[Anti-Fear]

Simple, tell them one of the reason you're fasting is to lose weight, but then it would be a lie.

 

[purplestars]

Simple, tell them one of the reason you're fasting is to lose weight, but then it would be a lie.

If your parents are Christians, hopefully they'll understand. If not...pray and ask God to soften their hearts. I don't have much other advice, sorry.

 

[Truth of God]

Hi there guys.

My advice: take your plate of food and give it to some one who doesn't
have any - Isaiah 58. (there are millions)

That way, no one will know about it, you'll be fasting, and you'll be feeding!!!!!

You can try that...
God bless

 

[wvmtnkid]

I don't think that you should go around bragging about fasting, but if someone pushes the issue, especially a parental figure if you are a teen-ager, I think that it would be ok to tell them you are fasting and the reasons behind your fast. For parents that are non-Christian, I am sure that this would be hard to explain. But I would definately pray about it and ask God to give you the words and the assurances you need to help show them what you are doing and that you are doing this to follow His leading.

The admonishment in Matthew about keeping it a secret was given to those who were changing their outward appearances to make it obvious to everyone around them that they were fasting. They wanted the glory, not from God, but from their peers. That is what Jesus was warning us about. It's easy to get the "big head" and think that we are better than others and more righteous when we are doing these spiritual disciplines. He was warning us about these things. He was simply saying, in my opinion, to go on about our everyday lives and not to draw attention to ourselves that we are fasting-don't take measures that make us look like we starving and food-depraved.