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FASTING
coryd123:
<< John 6:63 >> It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
<< Romans 8:7 >> Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
I am just trying to get more understanding on fasting. It shows that physical fasting was very powerful in the bible and I have even fasted myself and felt that I gained more wisdom but if the flesh profiteth nothing is fasting anymore different then taking the lords supper or anointing someone with oil? or using a prayer cloth? Need clarity on fasting.
Kat:
Hi Coryd,
Here is an excerpt about fasting from the article "You Fools! You Hypocrites! You Snakes!"
http://bible-truths.com/fools.htm -----
FASTING HYPOCRITES
"Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance [‘don’t look like those miserable play-actors’ Phillips Translation]: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast" (Matt. 6:16).
Jesus could have just told them how to fast properly. But no, He first told them how NOT to fast by exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day. He was a Master of sarcasm and satire. He called them "hypocrites" and said their religion was as fake as they were. But it was the truth of His infallible statements that really cut them. After all, the Word of God is like a sharp two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). It cuts to the marrow of the bone. They were, as many still are, fakers and "play-actors" as Phillips translates it.
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Here is an emails on fasting.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2260.0.html -----
I hear TV preachers talk about how they fasted or how that they just finished a 2-day, 5-day, two-week fast. 'Me thinks' however, that they lie. And even if they aren't lying, they just lost any benefit by telling the whole world about it.
Fasting (without food or water) may be benefical to draw closer to God. It may even be beneficial for health. But I do not believe that it will CAUSE God to do whatever it is that you have need of.
Jesus tells us that His words are "SPIRIT" (John 6:63). And here is a portion of Scripture which speaks to the subject of "spiritual fasting"--"...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 you break every yoke?...." (Isa. 58:6-11).
Hope this helps you,
God be with you,
Ray
Dave in Tenn:
There is no physical act that makes one Spiritual.
Of course, there can be spiritual benefit to 'denying oneself', but while we are yet carnal, this 'benefit' (if we ever see it) is more than offset by the 'indulging oneself' in self-satisfaction, self-righteousness, and religious excercise.
Mat 6:16-18 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. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
That scripture is Spiritual, too. :)
Deborah-Leigh:
--- Quote ---It shows that physical fasting was very powerful in the bible
--- End quote ---
Only God is very powerful. God causes everything. God causes us to pray and to fast. God causes the outcomes of both prayer and fasting. God decides before we either pray or fast, what He will do to either bless us or test us. There is nothing we can do to change, alter or control circumstances or results.
We are a generation in the NT and we have a new and better covenant that does not rest in physical observances as did the OT generations with their physical temple and physical regualtions that [physically applied to them then.
We are meant to live by faith not regulation, by trust, not controls of man or requirements of religion.
Matt 17 : 21 and Mark 9 : 29...."and fasting".....On authority of Professor C. Tisendorf’s notes on the reading of the two oldest Greek manuscripts, the Sinaitic and the Vatican #1209. The words "and fasting", found in our common King James Version are not found in the oldest manuscripts.
When it came to the decision to cause the crowd following Jesus, to either fast or not, Jesus chose to NOT let them fast.
Mat 15:32 Then Jesus called His disciples and said, I have compassion on the crowd because they continue with Me for three days now and have nothing to eat. And I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
God does not change and the end from the beginning is already determined by God according to His Plan and Purpose that He is working out for the good of all those who love Him.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Arcturus
Deborah-Leigh:
--- Quote ---Any and all corrections, additional Scriptures, info are welcome.
--- End quote ---
--- Quote ---Matt 17 : 21 and Mark 9 : 29...."and fasting".....On authority of Professor C. Tisendorf’s notes on the reading of the two oldest Greek manuscripts, the Sinaitic and the Vatican #1209. The words "and fasting", found in our common King James Version are not found in the oldest manuscripts.
--- End quote ---
We can trust that the words AND FASTING in these Scriptures were added superfluously, erroneously and are deceptions leading to error most commonly and physically practised and exhibited in Babylon.
That is not to say that we can not suffer from depravation of the bread of life.
Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Arc
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