Among disciples of christ there is disparity around what is fasting and what is not. There is often teaching put forth that says the abstaining from anything you like is just as much of a fast as not eating, and can reap the same benefits. Well known teachers of the bible have proclaimed this belief with good intentions but actually no scriptural foundation to support their claim.
Scripturally speaking, fasting is always in reference to abstinence from food in some ways.Both the Hebrew and Greek language translated as "fast, fasting, fasted, etc." in scripture are outlined as, "to refuse to eat from food."There is enough of biblical evidence to call upon for one to reach the conclusion that self-denial of gratifying things will lead to a brief closer kinship with the heavenly father."fast, fasting, or fasted". The record of James chapter four reads,
"Draw near to the heavenly father, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
When I give up video games, or Tv, or the net for a granted number of days just so I may seek god alternatively, guess what: I'll find Him, "seek and you will find". The seeking of the Lord is rewarded with understanding of His character and might in our lives. But, thats no grounds to think that all sacrificial seeking of the lord can be called fasting; unless we apply another definition of the word Fasting.
In fasting, by biblical and secular definition, we are to abstain from food in some way for a given period of time. By scriptural definition it is also joined with an increased intensity of prayer. Its a sacrifice of what your body requires, so that you can derive what your spirit requires even more.
At hand are a number of unique methods to fasting that we observe in scripture (learn more here), as well as forms that have been accepted by our contemporary society. Fasting is wholly about seeking god. Its a outcry of the spirit toward the Lord that only He may reply to.
FASTINGS BENEFITS
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do - so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." - Matthew 6:16 (NASB)
Even in this indication given by Jesus, He shows that there is a payoff in fasting. Jesus is basically saying that we shouldn't worry about the reward itself, but instead we should focus on humbling ourselves as we fast and He will reward us for all to discover. The reward could be the redemption of family, a It could also just be a adjustment in your private persona. Regardless, these things are still done by the might of our Lord. Fasting prompts us to move, but maybe not the lord.
Instituted by the Lord in things like, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Deuteronomy 16:16), fasting has been an age old, tried and tested format for positioning our father's people for the heaven-sent.
Scripturally speaking, fasting is always in reference to abstinence from food in some ways.Both the Hebrew and Greek language translated as "fast, fasting, fasted, etc." in scripture are outlined as, "to refuse to eat from food."There is enough of biblical evidence to call upon for one to reach the conclusion that self-denial of gratifying things will lead to a brief closer kinship with the heavenly father."fast, fasting, or fasted". The record of James chapter four reads,
"Draw near to the heavenly father, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
When I give up video games, or Tv, or the net for a granted number of days just so I may seek god alternatively, guess what: I'll find Him, "seek and you will find". The seeking of the Lord is rewarded with understanding of His character and might in our lives. But, thats no grounds to think that all sacrificial seeking of the lord can be called fasting; unless we apply another definition of the word Fasting.
In fasting, by biblical and secular definition, we are to abstain from food in some way for a given period of time. By scriptural definition it is also joined with an increased intensity of prayer. Its a sacrifice of what your body requires, so that you can derive what your spirit requires even more.
At hand are a number of unique methods to fasting that we observe in scripture (learn more here), as well as forms that have been accepted by our contemporary society. Fasting is wholly about seeking god. Its a outcry of the spirit toward the Lord that only He may reply to.
FASTINGS BENEFITS
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do - so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." - Matthew 6:16 (NASB)
Even in this indication given by Jesus, He shows that there is a payoff in fasting. Jesus is basically saying that we shouldn't worry about the reward itself, but instead we should focus on humbling ourselves as we fast and He will reward us for all to discover. The reward could be the redemption of family, a It could also just be a adjustment in your private persona. Regardless, these things are still done by the might of our Lord. Fasting prompts us to move, but maybe not the lord.
Instituted by the Lord in things like, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Deuteronomy 16:16), fasting has been an age old, tried and tested format for positioning our father's people for the heaven-sent.
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Fasting can be a scary endevour to do. Read this article about how to fast to overcome fear.
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