Fasting Defined
christians regularly debate about what the bible calls a fast and what it doesn't. 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 similar benefits. Well known teachers of the bible have proclaimed this notion with good intentions but in fact no scriptural foundation to endorse their claim.
Scripturally speaking, fasting is invariably in reference to abstinence from food in some ways.Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated as "fast, fasting, fasted, etc." in scripture are defined as, "to refuse to eat from food."There is enough of biblical evidence to call upon for one to gain the determination that self-denial of enjoyable things will result to a fleeting closer relationship with our father."fast, fasting, or fasted". The book of James chapter four reads,
"Draw near to god, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Giving up TV, computers, or facebook for a while so that I can pursue the Lord means that I will find Him. The seeking of the Lord is rewarded with understanding of His character and might in our lives. Nevertheless, there is no foundation to call this fasting - unless you redefine the total meaning of fasting!
Both the bible and secular dictionaries define fasting as refraining from food in some fashion for a certain quantity of time. By biblical definition it is also coupled 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.
There are a number of distinct methods to fasting that we find in scripture (learn more here), as well as forms that have been accepted by our modern culture. Fasting is totally about seeking our father. Its a cry of the heart towards the Lord that only He can reply to.
THE Wages OF FASTING
The rewards of fasting are due to an interior (spiritual) alteration we can't envision that allows for a manifested move of the lord we can see.
"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 warning given by Jesus, He shows that there is a payoff in fasting. Jesus is basically saying that we shouldn't be anxious about the reward itself, but preferably we should focus on humbling ourselves as we fast and He will reward us for all to view. The reward could be the redemption of family, a It may just as easily be a maturity in our walk with Christ. Regardless, these things are still done by the might of our Lord. Our fasting moves us, not necessarily the lord.
Created by the heavenly father in, the Feast of Weeks, and several of the other Jewish traditions institued by the lord through Moses, Fasting has its roots in tested methods that align us with the Lord.
Scripturally speaking, fasting is invariably in reference to abstinence from food in some ways.Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated as "fast, fasting, fasted, etc." in scripture are defined as, "to refuse to eat from food."There is enough of biblical evidence to call upon for one to gain the determination that self-denial of enjoyable things will result to a fleeting closer relationship with our father."fast, fasting, or fasted". The book of James chapter four reads,
"Draw near to god, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Giving up TV, computers, or facebook for a while so that I can pursue the Lord means that I will find Him. The seeking of the Lord is rewarded with understanding of His character and might in our lives. Nevertheless, there is no foundation to call this fasting - unless you redefine the total meaning of fasting!
Both the bible and secular dictionaries define fasting as refraining from food in some fashion for a certain quantity of time. By biblical definition it is also coupled 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.
There are a number of distinct methods to fasting that we find in scripture (learn more here), as well as forms that have been accepted by our modern culture. Fasting is totally about seeking our father. Its a cry of the heart towards the Lord that only He can reply to.
THE Wages OF FASTING
The rewards of fasting are due to an interior (spiritual) alteration we can't envision that allows for a manifested move of the lord we can see.
"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 warning given by Jesus, He shows that there is a payoff in fasting. Jesus is basically saying that we shouldn't be anxious about the reward itself, but preferably we should focus on humbling ourselves as we fast and He will reward us for all to view. The reward could be the redemption of family, a It may just as easily be a maturity in our walk with Christ. Regardless, these things are still done by the might of our Lord. Our fasting moves us, not necessarily the lord.
Created by the heavenly father in, the Feast of Weeks, and several of the other Jewish traditions institued by the lord through Moses, Fasting has its roots in tested methods that align us with the Lord.
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Fasting is a intimidating thing to do. Check out this article on how to fast to overcome fear.