What's the Fuse About Fasting All About?

[Truth_love]

SCRIPTURE: One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?” Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”' - Luke 5:33-39.

LESSON: The Lord only states that it is impossible to run both the old and new orders concurrently. The Lord Jesus represents a new order that replaces the old order of works (the more you do, the more you feel righteous and acceptable before God). Even the Lord states that when the bridegroom is taken away, the sons of the bridal rooms will have to fast. Fasting is still necessary today. Fasting is still relevant today, however, it should be carried out as directed by the Holy Spirit, the Game Changer of the new order, rather than mechanically and based on man-made methods to please God. The outcome will be amazing if you let the Lord Holy Spirit guide you on WHEN to fast (time and frequency), HOW to fast (what to put away), HOW LONG, and WHAT to do during the fast.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to fast efficiently!

 

[Maria Billingsley]

SCRIPTURE: One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?” Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”' - Luke 5:33-39.

LESSON: The Lord only states that it is impossible to run both the old and new orders concurrently. The Lord Jesus represents a new order that replaces the old order of works (the more you do, the more you feel righteous and acceptable before God). Even the Lord states that when the bridegroom is taken away, the sons of the bridal rooms will have to fast. Fasting is still necessary today. Fasting is still relevant today, however, it should be carried out as directed by the Holy Spirit, the Game Changer of the new order, rather than mechanically and based on man-made methods to please God. The outcome will be amazing if you let the Lord Holy Spirit guide you on WHEN to fast (time and frequency), HOW to fast (what to put away), HOW LONG, and WHAT to do during the fast.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to fast efficiently!

I agree. What is all the fuss about ? I know for myself, fasting would be only to loose weight so I would already be disingenuous. Plus, I would probably be thinking about food rather than my Lord. Lastly, He lives in the believer so He is with us. Anyway my thoughts, no judgment on those who do. Blessings.

Edit: I believe demonic exorcisms require some sort of fasting ?

 

[Divide]

As far as I know, the Bridegroom is gone so we should be fasting and making ourselves ready.

To fast is to deny yourself. To suffer your body some for the Kingdom of God in the same way as Jesus did. You don't have to fast for 40 days. Skipping one meal with the heart knowledge is towards the Lord is a good fast. How about a digital fast? (No computers, phones or screens. 24 hours? 48 hours? Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before the Lord and to draw closer to Him.

Never discount fasting! It means more than you know.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

As far as I know, the Bridegroom is gone so we should be fasting and making ourselves ready.

To fast is to deny yourself. To suffer your body some for the Kingdom of God in the same way as Jesus did. You don't have to fast for 40 days. Skipping one meal with the heart knowledge is towards the Lord is a good fast. How about a digital fast? (No computers, phones or screens. 24 hours? 48 hours? Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before the Lord and to draw closer to Him.

Never discount fasting! It means more than you know.

Fasting to me is only food. But you never know, the Holy Spirit may direct me one day to do so.
Blessings

 

[PsaltiChrysostom]

Fasting started as part of the routine of the early Christian life. In the Didache, written in the late 1st or early 2nd century, it admonished Christians to, “Let not your fastings be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and the fifth day of the week; but keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation day (Friday)."

For Eastern Orthodox, we still fast from animal products on Wednesdays and Fridays, in memory of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and for Jesus' crucifixion. Then we have the fast seasons of Lent, the Apostles Fast (end of June), Dormition of Mary (Aug 1-15), and finally, the Nativity Fast (Nov 15 to Christmas). Each has its own regulations regarding diet. We also also to fast from worldly entertainment and even from marital relations. In fact, weddings are not conducted during these fasts. Most importantly, we are to fast from sin.
St. John Chrysostom wrote in the 5th century

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works!
Is it said by what kind of works?
If you see a poor man, take pity on him!
If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him!
If you see a friend gaining honor, envy him not!
If you see a handsome woman, pass her by!
For let not the mouth only fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being pure from rapine and avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing from running to the unlawful spectacles.
Let the eyes fast, being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon handsome countenances, or to busy themselves with strange beauties

 

[honey badger]

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

 

[ari.sketch]

I fast to,
1. humble myself
2. deny myself, practice denying my flesh
3. when I really need to focus on spiritual matter

I'm not saying everyone need to do this, but these are some of the reasons why I fast, and it's something I would like to do regularly (once a week or once every 2 weeks).

 

[Aaron112]

1. Had these verses copied/pasted just a few moments ago for another thread/topic:
2. www.biblegateway.com › passage › ?search=Isaiah 58:6-11&version=KJV
   
   Isaiah 58:6-11 KJV - Is not this the fast that I have - Bible Gateway
   
   Isaiah 58:6-11 King James Version 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
3. https://www.biblehub.com › isaiah › 58-6.htm
   

   Isaiah 58:6 Isn't this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains ...​

   Christian Standard Bible Isn't this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

[Aaron112]

Edit: I believe demonic exorcisms require some sort of fasting ?

Over the last few decades or much longer perhaps, and not in Scripture except for certain cases, Not usually, except when it is for show and not in reality.
There's not really any exorcism in Scripture by Jesus nor His followers. The messengers of God came back astonished and rejoicing remember, that the demons fled simply at their word (or with a word/command?) , and people were healed easily also, to their delight.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

As far as I know, the Bridegroom is gone so we should be fasting and making ourselves ready.

To fast is to deny yourself. To suffer your body some for the Kingdom of God in the same way as Jesus did. You don't have to fast for 40 days. Skipping one meal with the heart knowledge is towards the Lord is a good fast. How about a digital fast? (No computers, phones or screens. 24 hours? 48 hours? Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before the Lord and to draw closer to Him.

Never discount fasting! It means more than you know.

Fasting is denying what the body needs, not wants. Going without digital gadgets is good, but it's not biblical fasting

 

[tturt]

"Moreover when ye fast..." Matt 6
"...when thou prayest..." Matt 6

Matt 6 : Jesus teaching His about giving (v1-4), praying (5-15), fasting (16-18), life's goals (19-24), and thought processes (25-35) for the right reasons (matters of the heart).

 

[Truth_love]

Christian Standard Bible Isn't this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Holman Christian Standard Bible

What exactly does it entail to break the chains of wickedness, untie the ropes of the yoke, and set the oppressed free? It goes beyond just constructing schools and hospitals or giving out food packs. It involves praying for the release of the anointing that breaks the yokes of bondage to satanic influences, trends, and tendencies. This was the role Daniel Nash (AKA Father Nash) graciously played in the ministry of Charles Finney. Breakthroughs and liberations are not secured by acts of charity alone (and please don't get me wrong). They have their place). They are secured in the place of deep intercession (which inevitably includes fasting).

 

[Truth_love]

Edit: I believe demonic exorcisms require some sort of fasting?

Hey, Maria. Your question is a great one. I think the idea that fasting and praying are necessary to drive out certain demons stems from the story of the boy with the unclean spirit in Matthew 17. Andrew Womack discussed this and after re-reading the scripture, his explanation made sense. To clarify, we don't fast in order to cast out demons since they are already defeated. However, we may need to fast and pray (as explained in verses 19-21) to overcome any unbelief that could hinder our ability to exercise authority over demonic spirits. "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind (of unbelief) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”' Matthew 17:19-21."

 

[Aaron112]

What exactly does it entail to break the chains of wickedness, untie the ropes of the yoke, and set the oppressed free?

MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me.
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—
watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”