When is it OK to disclose that you’re fasting?

[LovebirdsFlying]

Jesus said not to, if I understand correctly. Or at least not to deliberately draw attention to it by neglecting your appearance. You’re not supposed to go around essentially screaming at everybody, “Hey, y’all, look at this religious thing I’m doing. Aren’t I just so holy and righteous?”

But what if you’re fasting and somebody who doesn’t know it just keeps offering you food? Should you tell that person you’re fasting, so they stop? In what other contexts is it good to say so?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Jesus told us not to broadcast our religious devotion to get noticed and lauded for it. Kind of like virtue signaling. In today's world, people do not get lauded for their spiritual observances. People will think you are nutty and a fanatic. I pray in public and get sneers. I wear Christian tee-shirts and get lots of sneers too. Public displays of faith has become de-normalized. Some believers give me a thumbs up. But if anyone thinks public displays of faith and devotion will get you applauded are mistaken. I suspect there are more people who are ashamed of their faith and the gospel and so hide their devotion. They may use the words of Jesus to justify their hesitancy to show their faith in public. At this stage of the game, I think it is important to NOT hide your faith and devotion. Faith and devotion need to be considered "normal" again. It is slowly but surely being silenced and excluded. So each need to check their heart motivation. Are they really worried about what Jesus said, or are they just using those words to justify their fear and shame of being a Christian. They are worried about being considered a "fanatic" because they pray over their lunch.

 

[brodav9@thicket]

Tell them this guy Dave (thicket) has shown me that a few days are needed to get a lot of bad things out of my system, for exceptional good health reasons. You know ---only you-- know the bad things are really sin or even evil spirits. If they persist tell them it is for both evil and good health. both are true. You will be okay with God at least. Remember Matt. 5: to be mistreated is a privilege for Christ.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

Jesus told us not to broadcast our religious devotion to get noticed and lauded for it. Kind of like virtue signaling. In today's world, people do not get lauded for their spiritual observances. People will think you are nutty and a fanatic. I pray in public and get sneers. I wear Christian tee-shirts and get lots of sneers too. Public displays of faith has become de-normalized. Some believers give me a thumbs up. But if anyone thinks public displays of faith and devotion will get you applauded are mistaken. I suspect there are more people who are ashamed of their faith and the gospel and so hide their devotion. They may use the words of Jesus to justify their hesitancy to show their faith in public. At this stage of the game, I think it is important to NOT hide your faith and devotion. Faith and devotion need to be considered "normal" again. It is slowly but surely being silenced and excluded. So each need to check their heart motivation. Are they really worried about what Jesus said, or are they just using those words to justify their fear and shame of being a Christian. They are worried about being considered a "fanatic" because they pray over their lunch.

You make good points. A balance between "let your light shine," Matthew 5:16, and "go to your prayer closet, shut the door, and pray in secret," Matthew 6:5-6.

Rather than before the world, what about within the church? I've seen members of the same congregation appear to be trying to "out-spiritual" each other, discussing at great length how much they fast, pray, study the Bible, tithe, etc. They come off like they're having a boasting contest to see which one is the better Christian. Is this also what Jesus meant when He said, essentially, just fast and shut up about it? I ask because I myself have joined in on these conversations. And if I am being completely honest with myself, I would have to admit that on some level I am seeking validation from the church members that yes, I'm as much of a Christian as they are. Which is exactly the opposite of how God wants us to approach it. Right?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

You make good points. A balance between "let your light shine," Matthew 5:16, and "go to your prayer closet, shut the door, and pray in secret," Matthew 6:5-6.

Rather than before the world, what about within the church? I've seen members of the same congregation appear to be trying to "out-spiritual" each other, discussing at great length how much they fast, pray, study the Bible, tithe, etc. They come off like they're having a boasting contest to see which one is the better Christian. Is this also what Jesus meant when He said, essentially, just fast and shut up about it? I ask because I myself have joined in on these conversations. And if I am being completely honest with myself, I would have to admit that on some level I am seeking validation from the church members that yes, I'm as much of a Christian as they are. Which is exactly the opposite of how God wants us to approach it. Right?

You make valid points. I suppose it is all in the heart of the doer. What is the motivation? If you are trying to "virtue signal" and make religious points, then that might be bad. But if you are trying to set a good example in a congregation that is lukewarm or even apostizing, then it might encourage them to follow. Paul's words come to mind,

Philippians 4:9 KJV
9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received,
and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I think this would be important for those who are established ministers in the church. Paul was a leader, and paid a heavy price for that role. In that case, who would question his true motives?
Peace

 

[HTacianas]

You make good points. A balance between "let your light shine," Matthew 5:16, and "go to your prayer closet, shut the door, and pray in secret," Matthew 6:5-6.

Rather than before the world, what about within the church? I've seen members of the same congregation appear to be trying to "out-spiritual" each other, discussing at great length how much they fast, pray, study the Bible, tithe, etc. They come off like they're having a boasting contest to see which one is the better Christian. Is this also what Jesus meant when He said, essentially, just fast and shut up about it? I ask because I myself have joined in on these conversations. And if I am being completely honest with myself, I would have to admit that on some level I am seeking validation from the church members that yes, I'm as much of a Christian as they are. Which is exactly the opposite of how God wants us to approach it. Right?

If you look at a lot of the things Jesus said, in total, it is to avoid what we would call a "drama queen" today. If you watch some of the reality TV shows that are on nowadays, you'll see people doing all those things Jesus said not to do. The people on those shows have their friends who they seem to love, and their enemies they seem to hate and even wish ill on them. But Jesus said:

Mat 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."

Keeping your fasting secret falls along the same lines. There are people today who engage in what's called "virtue signaling", meaning they're making a show of how much they care about some thing or another. Things like that are all around us. People who do things just to prove how good they are. The story of the widow giving two mites while the rich gave even more -but just to be seen doing it- is another example.

It's perfectly fine to politely refuse food by saying that you're fasting. What's to be avoided is dragging yourself around complaining about how weak and sickly you are from being so righteous.

 

[prodromos]

Jesus said not to, if I understand correctly. Or at least not to deliberately draw attention to it by neglecting your appearance. You’re not supposed to go around essentially screaming at everybody, “Hey, y’all, look at this religious thing I’m doing. Aren’t I just so holy and righteous?”

But what if you’re fasting and somebody who doesn’t know it just keeps offering you food? Should you tell that person you’re fasting, so they stop? In what other contexts is it good to say so?

It may be a good opportunity to explain what you are doing and the reasons why as an opening to share the Gospel.

My personal experience, as an Eastern Orthodox Christian, is that love trumps everything else. We fast from alcohol, oil, meat and dairy for a little over half the year, but if I was visiting my parents on days that were meant to be fasting then I would eat whatever food my mother prepared While I try to be strict with myself, I can't expect others who are not Orthodox to be aware of all the ins and outs of the Liturgical calendar. If someone shares their food out of love, then the right response is to receive it in love. Loving your neighbor is much more important than keeping the fast.