FAITH DIETS- A Bible Believer's Diet

BIBLICAL FASTING

Fasting is an act of total or partial abstinence from food for a limited time period of time. Fasting is usually undertaken for moral or religious reasons.

Although fasting is almost always an abstinence from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything we can temporarily give up in order to help us focus better in God can be considered as a fast. (1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.)

Fasting, especially when it is from food, should not be for an extended period of time as such can harm our body physically and more importantly such activity should be focused towards god and not as a way to loose weight or dieting. Fasting should not be an act of punishing our body but rather it should be to gain a deeper fellowship with God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with him.

Fasting is an ancient practice found in most religions. However, the early Christian community did not emphasize fasting but observed in connection with certain occasions of solemn commitment. (Acts 13:2, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23)

(Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.)

(Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.)

(Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.)

Fasting should be an important part of Christians' life. We find that many people in the bible fasted. Exodus 34:28, I Samuel 1:7, Mark 2:18, Lk 5:33, Mt 9:14-15, Acts 13:3. These statements in the bible strongly focus that "Fasting increases spiritual strength". Fasting disciplines the body and makes it a useful instrument to God. When we fast we determine that god is not our belly, Philip 3:19. Fasting builds our inner strength and diminishes the power of the flesh over us, Rom 6:16. Fasting if done correctly can and will help us to overcome our sinful desires. When we say "No" to our natural appetite (food), we are building up the willpower to say "No" to fleshy appetite.

(Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.)

(I Samuel 1:7 And [as] he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.)

(Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?)

(Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?)

(Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?)

(Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.)

(Philippians 3:19 Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

(Rom6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?.)

Types of fasting..

i) A regular fast
ii) A partial fast
iii) A full fast
iv) A sexual fast I Cor 7:5


Although not mentioned in the Bible, Christians today commit to fasting from other activities as well. Some give up entertainment such as TV or cinema to concentrate on prayer. Other fasts from sleep and other activities for a specific period of time.

(I Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.)

Prayer and Fasting

Prayer included in fasting is an act of going without food for a stated period of time in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. However, it has not been stated that prayer and fasting should go together. One can fast without prayer, and can pray without fast. But if these two acts are combined together and dedicated towards the Lord then it is then these can reach their full effectiveness. Prayer and Fasting is simply an act of forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength and wisdom however; having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire.

Bible does not command its followers to spend time in prayer and fasting. But these are the acts that we should definitely be doing, the purpose of which shall be taking off our eyes of the things of this world and focus our thoughts to the Lord. By taking our eyes off from the things of the world we can focus better on Christ.

Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus was not condemning fasting, he was condemning those who were boasting of their fasting.
(Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.)