What Is Fasting?

Question

What is fasting. When you fasted, you don't eat at all? Not even alittle piece of bread? Would you die if you don't eat anything? I heard people fasted for 40 days, how is that so? What if I don't eat anything at all but drink nothing but powerade, is that fasting? And will my body shut down? I'm just asking because I want to fast for a month. Just tell me how to do it.

Answer 1

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish your flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. Do not fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Answer 2

Fasting has been practiced since before the time of Christ. It has been a spiritual practice - long before it was ever used as an extreme diet plan. Fasting can be extremely dangerous, and should not be attempted by just anyone. Ancients who practiced fasting, usually prepared their bodies and systsms for fasting, - in different ways - depending on how their culture fasted, and for how long - a few weeks ahead of the time of fasting.

Indian Fakirs were and are still famous for fasting. Mahatma Gahdi often fasted as a means of non- violent passive Protest, fasting in protest has also been popularized by the IRA, and several native American Indian Societies practice fasting as a part of the right of passage from boyhood to Manhood.

There's fasting, and then there's fasting. Most people who practice fasting - for whatever reason, generally do not restrict the intake of fluids - ( altho a few did - like MaHatma Gahandi). Some societies that fast allow the intake of special foods and halucinatory drugs. roots, bark, and mushrooms, in additon to unlevened bread, dates, camel butter, olive leaves, and the fasting persons own urine.

Western fasters are usually fasting under the supervision of a physician, who checks the vitals each day - several times a day, and monitors Vital nutrient levels like potassium and iron.

People who decide they want to fast for a month as a "crash" diet plan, should find reconsider. Fasting is a shock to the system, it is debilitating, you just don't loose weight - you loose muscle weight as well as fat. You become extermely weak, and invalided. You just do not stop eating for a month - to loose 12 dress sizes, and then on day 31 you go out dancing in your new size 4 outfit. On Day 31 you feel like a train wreck, you can take some broth and maybe a little jello, - by that's it, you tire easily, and you are very sensitive to the touch - a pat on the back feels like a muel kick. You could'nt bowl a frame or play an inning of soft ball if your life depended on it. It will be almost a month and a halt unit you feel good again. If you haven't got good skin tone, and did not exercise during yiour time of fasting, you will likely have strech marks or even folds of skin if you lost an inordinate amount of weight - so you may not want to be seen in a bikini any time soon. So still sound like what you're after? if it is - start by going to you family physician. Follow his advice and good luck!

Answer 3

Fasting for 24 hours is safe, as long as you drink plenty of water. Anything longer might not be healthy.

The good news is there are many health benefits to going without food for a few days. Researchers say fasting "flips a regenerative switch" which creates brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system. This can be done in 3 days.

According to USC News two studies showed a short-term fast starves cancer cells and helps chemo therapies better target the cancer.

Here is a good video about fasting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ2rRLBFGQE

Answer 4

True fasting is abstinence from all nutrition other than water....I have know personally of people that have been on fasts that range from 3 -40 days....It is not a contest to see how long you can last but rather a time of seeking spiritual enlightenment,by ignoring the pleas of the body for physical food. Some people prefer to go on juice fasts,as there are often times medical reasons for not abstaining from all sustenance for extended periods.

Answer 5

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars in Islam. We fast for 30 days. We fast from sunrise to sunset. We can eat once the sun goes down. We do this for Allah. We dont eat anything, no medicine, no smoking, no sexual relations, no fighting, no arguing. When we fast the first few days are the hardest because we hadnt fasted for a while. It is not hard at all. When you know why and who you are fasting for it is easy. There are millions of people who go to bed hungry every single day. It is a reminder to be thankful for what you have and remind us about the poor who dont have. You cant starve to death in 12 hours. It takes longer than that. YOur body gets used to the 12 hours no food. Ramadan is comming in a couple months. I cant wait!!
Fasting is required for muslims who are healthy and of age. Children do not have to fast and pregnant women can make their fast up at a later date, and women who are menstruating do not fast. If you re traveling you can make your fast up at a later date.

Answer 6

Scripture does not command Christians to fast. It is not something that God requires or demands of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and expected. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world, and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to yourself, that you are serious about your relationship with Him. Fasting helps you to gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish your flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. Do not fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Recommended Resource: A Hunger for God by John Piper.

Answer 7

Fasting is greatly misunderstood.

Limiting ones food intake over a specified period of time, helps man to understand the hunger of others human beings.
Limiting ones liquid intake over a specified period of time,
helps man to understand the thirst of other human beings.
This helps man to understand the meaning of, "compassion for other human beings".

Fasting for extensive periods of time should be controlled
and monitored regarding ones personal work habits, specific medications or related health issues.

If ones health is considered excellent then the fast may be extended.

If a person is truly interested in fasting and their health permits then one should consider fasting from sunrise till sunset, and then eat moderately thereafter. Trying this for a month will allow the practitioner a chance to cleanse their entire system, and come to a greater understanding of themselves and there fellow man.

Answer 8

When you fast, you don't eat anything at all. Not even a piece of bread. Thats what fasting is.

Btw... apparently "denying the body and indulging the spirit" means starving yourself so you start seeing halucinations and THINK you're indulging your spirit while actually hurting yourself.

Not very intelligent.

Answer 9

Fasting is a way of humbling yourself in the sight of the Lord.

Fasting, from its original hebrew word, means "afflict soul or self".

King David fasted when he committed a sin.

2 Samuel 12:16

"David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth."


Psalms 69:1

"When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. "


Fasting is a commandment of God and for the good of his people.

Spiritually and physically as well, fasting is good for humans.

Christians fast.

Acts 14:23

" And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. "


Fasting is abstaining or refraining from food, and from water.


Moses in Exo. 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. "



The Lord Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights.

Matthew 4:2

"And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry."


Every commandment of God is for the good of those who love him. Fasting is one of those commandments.


For more information, please visit

http://esoriano.wordpress.com
http://www.truthcaster.com
http://www.theoldpath.tv

Answer 10

There are several different ways to fast, and it doesn't have to be not eating. You can fast from any distractions like computers or television. Or for fasting without having to give up food completely you can fast by only eating things from God such as fruits and vegetables and peanuts...things like that.