Where does fasting things other than food come in?

[GregoryTurner]

I am just wondering, not to offend anyone, but where does the Bible speak of fasting being anything other than food? I can not find anything stating this in scripture. Thank you for your time.

 

[DIVA_for_Christ]

I am just wondering, not to offend anyone, but where does the Bible speak of fasting being anything other than food? I can not find anything stating this in scripture. Thank you for your time.

I don't believe fasting is referenced in the bible other than in terms of food.

However, I know people who fast from things other than food and well as my self. But I don't call it fasting anymore. I refer to these times as a period of specialized consecration/separation/isolation/sacrifice. For example some days I won't watch tv at all. Other days I'll only watch TBN or videos from Christian conferences I've attended.

Some people I hear of fasting from food and from gossip, lying, etc. Yet I don't agree with this because these are things we should be avoiding daily. It can give the incorrect mindset that as long as we fast every once in awhile to not partake in gossip or lying, etc we are ok.

 

[eoe]

I would say that abstaining from things other than food comes in when they become a problem and you need to regain control of them. If you are having trouble with idle banter or gossip then go and observe silence for a while. If driving a car becomes a passion then take a bus or walk. If TV becomes an problem then go without and read a book.

As far as fasting goes - you can easily destroy any benefit that fasting gives by being overindulgent in other things. It does no good to fast if you are going to make up for it in other ways. Getting angry and bickering can ruin a fast quickly.

 

[MalcolmD]

The only reference to fasting in the Bible that I can find referring to something other than food or drink is in Isaiah 58:6-8;

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?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

Fasting here has significance beyond food and drink. It seems to be saying that when we're in a position of power to help someone that we are to have compassion for them. God bless you,

Malcolm

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Forgive me if this has been posted but a Daniels fast.

Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.


Many of us cannot go 40 days on water or only one day, but God will honor what we give from the heart.

 

[Reya2006]

I am just wondering, not to offend anyone, but where does the Bible speak of fasting being anything other than food? I can not find anything stating this in scripture. Thank you for your time.

I looked up the word fasting in the concordance in both instances it refers to abstaining from food. In Hebrew, it means to cover over the mouth. In Greek, it means to abstain from food.

 

[GregoryTurner]

See, I know all of that but what gets me is that people say that they can fast from Tv, or certain drinks, etc. Fasting is a sacrifice. If someone says they are fasting TV, then they are not really sacrificing because TV is not a necessary part of life. Not watching TV for a period of time is called repentance. If someone thinks that a fast from TV or drinks, etc, then they need to repent of it because that is dangerously close to idolatry.

 

[Godssong]

So what do you guys suggest for those who have physical problems that keep us from fasting? If I go for more than ten hours without food, for example, I begin to develop serious health issues that put me out for weeks at a time...Before I was injured, I could fast for days/a full week...often feels like something's missing from my spiritual life now because of not being able to fast...any suggestions?

 

[RenaeNicole]

Well, be sure, Turner, that you are not judgeing unheard. The reasons people fast, may be wrong some of the time. But to say that they are wrong at all times is wrong.

Suppose that I, being the great lover of reading that I am, chose to abstain from all books save my Bible and my school textbooks. Now, you might say, that in this case I need to as my reading might be an addiction. But you don't know that. It may be the case that the books I am reading are for clarification and adding to my knowledge of God's word. Or it could be that I am reading trashy romance novels and abstaining from them because I know it is wrong. You have no way of knowing which it is. The motive for fasting should be personal between the faster and God alone.

The same could be said of anyone fasting from anything. That is how I see it anyway.

 

[eoe]

So what do you guys suggest for those who have physical problems that keep us from fasting? If I go for more than ten hours without food, for example, I begin to develop serious health issues that put me out for weeks at a time...Before I was injured, I could fast for days/a full week...often feels like something's missing from my spiritual life now because of not being able to fast...any suggestions?

#1 get advice from an experienced spitiual guide - I of course would suggest an Orthodox Priest......

#2 there are a million other types of ascetic labors.

My patron, Saint John the Wonderworker, would go barefoot all the time even in the winter in France. From the time that he was tonsured a monk to the time he died he never slept in a bed. Some monks sleep on the floor. You could give up hot water for a week (not suggesting - just given examples). Give up all entertainment and read only spiritual books.

If you have to have foor every 10 hours - does that food have to be delicious? Can it be plain lentil soup? Can it be just bread? (Ezekiel bread comes to mind...)

People will get all goofy and shout "That isn't fasting!!!!!~!@~!#!#$!@#$!#@$!#$~@~!!!"
I don't give a rip what you call it honestly - all of this - fasting included are simply forms of ascetic labors - denial of self and death to the world.

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

If you want more info - check this website out.

 

[NoMoreTearsWithJesus]

So what do you guys suggest for those who have physical problems that keep us from fasting? If I go for more than ten hours without food, for example, I begin to develop serious health issues that put me out for weeks at a time...Before I was injured, I could fast for days/a full week...often feels like something's missing from my spiritual life now because of not being able to fast...any suggestions?

I was just going to say that if you cant fast all day then you can fast half a day..I havent found in the bible on how long you need to fast.

 

[tturt]

Since we're discussing definitions - If fasting is a sacrifice, what if the people don't care that much about eating, would they would still be fasting?

Views on fasting are one of those things you do when you're lead to by the Lord, in what area He wants, & how long He wants.

To me it's like taking communion. The only example I know of in the Bible is the Last Supper. But don't think you necessarily need to be with others to do.

 

[HephzibahBenJudah]

I am just wondering, not to offend anyone, but where does the Bible speak of fasting being anything other than food? I can not find anything stating this in scripture. Thank you for your time.

Try Isaiah Chapter 58...for one.

 

[HephzibahBenJudah]

Yeah for those who don't eat breakfast everyday..that meal wouldn't really matter....since it hasn't been important to you. It's what is important to you that you give up that makes it a fast....maybe lack of sleep or days off work with no pay or such...