The Great Physician knows all about that, and something else will work for you. The issue is not food per se. The issue is anything and everything that is, or can be, a substitute for God. Martyn Lloyd-Jones — , the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, delivered a great sermon on fasting when he was preaching through the Sermon on the Mount in — In it he said,. Fasting if we conceive of it truly, must not.
There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting. My assumption so far has been that good things can do great damage. Oxen and fields and marriage can keep you out of the kingdom of heaven. Anything can stand in the way of true discipleship—not just evil, and not just food, but anything.
Nor should it be surprising that the greatest competitors for our devotion and affection for God would be some of his most precious gifts. John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod. John Piper discusses God's sovereignty, pastoral burnout, and the sin of racism.
How C. Lewis made me more alive to beauty. He put my soul on notice that there are daily wonders that will waken worship if I open my eyes. There are a number of things that God has given Christians as disciplines for our pilgrim condition in this world. Sign In. Your relationship with the Lord is taken to a whole new level.
Anyone who has done a fast — whether absolute, liquid, or partial — would agree fasting is difficult. Physically, you may suffer from unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, fatigue, and intestinal discomfort, as your body attempts to adjust to the reduced caloric intake. Spiritually, attacks from the Enemy increase in frequency and intensity, resulting in a barrage of frustrations that can seem overwhelming.
However, the same people who would be honest about the challenges of fasting would also concur that the sacrifices are well worth the rewards. Rejoice in it! Fasting is a spiritual exercise which God honors. He promises to heap blessings on people who are hungry for Him Matthew Have you made fasting a part of your spiritual disciplines?
Jesus instructed us that when we fast, we are to do it in secret, and not to be obvious to others that we are fasting Matthew Is that difficult for you? Share your thoughts on fasting with others in our community of believers! Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God. The following is a general overview of biblical precedent and guidelines for wise fasting to help and encourage you.
The practice of regular fasting as normal Christian behavior was taught by Jesus Mt. The practice of fasting in Scripture usually includes, but is not limited to, abstinence from food Dan. Abstaining from all food for extended periods of time is biblical, but was rare and unusual in Scripture Ex. The same standard applies to an absolute fast Esther fast—no food or water for three days of any duration Est.
The maximum length of an adult fast that is biblically supported is forty days without food for a male adult in good health, and three days without water. The Bible does not speak of children engaging in fasting food. Though spiritual leaders may invite others to join in corporate fasting with a specific goal in mind and for a specific time, fasting can never be forced or made compulsory.
The level at which a person engages in fasting particularly food should be determined according to age and with regard to any physical limitations. Those with a known or suspected physical disability or illness, or those with any history of an eating disorder, should never fast, except in consultation with, and under the supervision of, a qualified doctor.
Pregnant or nursing mothers should not fast food or drink as it could negatively affect the health and development of their baby and their own personal health. Minors are discouraged from fasting food and should never engage in fasting without express parental consent and oversight.
Minors who desire to fast are encouraged to consider non-food abstentions, such as TV, movies, Internet surfing, video games, and other entertainment. Participation in regular fasting as a lifestyle necessitates a healthy lifestyle on days when food is not being fasted, and should include exercise and a proper diet.
The fasting aspect was rather unusual since our church does not regularly engage in fasting, and very rarely is there any teaching on fasting from the pulpit.
Realizing this, the church leadership recommended that we read A Hunger for God by John Piper, which our senior pastor said was the best book on fasting that he knew. I remember being uncertain why we were being asked to fast. Was the idea that we needed to pray really hard and that fasting was a way to intensify our prayers? The latter seemed unlikely since the congregation had almost no knowledge of or control over the decision process.
I managed to read only the first chapter of A Hunger for God before the appointed week began, and that chapter did not answer my questions. Unaccustomed to fasting, I did not fast that week, though I did participate in the prayer activities. Recently, I picked up the book again and read the whole thing.
It is indeed a very good book. For example, he points out that fasting is a universal religious practice, that sometimes it is used as a political weapon, and that other times it is used as a health regimen.
Thus there seems to be nothing distinctively Christian about fasting. In light of all these caveats, is there any reason to fast?
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