DEFINITION OF FASTING------MATTHEW 6:

DEFINITION OF FASTING-----MATTHEW 6:

   Our Pastor gave The Message from Matthew chapter 6 this Sunday:

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  (NKJV)

   Pastor pointed out that Jesus said, "when you fast" not "if you fast".  He said "when" you fast in the New Testament, so it is not just for the Old Covenant.  Fasting is expected from all of Jesus' followers.

   I confess that I am no "fast" scholar, so I had to do some research.  There are different kinds of fasts:



1)  Normal Fast:  no food.  water only

2)  Absolute Fast:  Absolutely no food or water.  This should not be undertaken over 3 days and     only then if you have a clear directive from The Lord and are in good health

3)  Partial Fast:  Abstinence from certain kinds of foods, such as meats or sweets, soup only, fruit and vegetables only, etc.  In Daniel 10: 3, Daniel ate no pleasant bread.

4)  Juice Fast:  fruit and vegetable juices only

5)  Corporate Fast:  a church or group of people who feel God has called them to fast together for a certain period of time.

6)  Chain Fast:  a church or group of people who commit to fasting for a long period of time and each individual commits to fast for a day or longer and signs up for so many days so that the entire period is covered for the designated fasting period.  

7)  Jewish Fasting Period:  The Jewish fast begins at 6pm one evening and ends at 6pm the following evening.

8)  Fasting Plus Prayer:  We are called to fast and pray.  Accounts in the Bible reveal that fasting was arranged during times when work was not expected, so the focus was on seeking God.  Some work and responsibilities cannot be avoided while fasting, but if you are seeking God, you want to set yourself up for success, not distraction.

9)  Fasting and Abstinence:  You can practice abstinence from other pleasures as well while fasting.  Abstinence is not fasting.  Fasting is abstaining from food.


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