2007-07-10 04:57:03 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Depriving oneself of some pleasures.
2007-07-10 05:00:27 · answer #1 · answered by witeczek2002 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is suposed to humble you or something. You know you go without food for a long period of time and you start to suffer and such. Like self torture for holiness. I really don't understand it and I DON'T ENCOURAGE IT AT ALL. Abstaining from food is not good unless you are overweight and need to lose weight. If you are going to fast then make it a fast from beer or cigerates, or pornography or fast food greasy junk. Yes I am a Bible believing Christian.
2007-07-10 12:05:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul said that we are to crucify our flesh, that is the lusts of the flesh. Sometimes the "flesh" has way too much control over our lives. We are to live by the spirit, and put to death the deeds of the flesh. Fasting helps us to focus on God while denying the flesh. Add prayer with the fasting, and you have a powerful combination that draws you closer to God and defeats the "lusts of the flesh" from your life, as well as the "lusts of the eyes" and the "pride of life".
2007-07-10 12:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a cleansing of the body, and discipline for the mind. It's obeying God. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden because they couldn't fast. Jesus Christ Himself said WHEN you fast (not IF you fast). In the Orthodox Church, fasting is not refraining from ALL foods; it is refraining from certain foods--animal products, fried foods and alcohol, for a specific period of time.
It's not deprivation. One always feels better after the fast.
2007-07-10 12:00:14 · answer #4 · answered by Billllius 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To take something out of ur life for a period of time it doesn't necessary have to be food. Then when you see or think abot what your fasting on ( ex. food, Tv, Computer, ect) you should Think about God and what He has done for you
2007-07-10 12:03:14 · answer #5 · answered by Super-Bunny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
world over people fast for variety of reasons like religion,health,longevity ,weight control,penance,economy and what not.Medically,it has no benefits and may harm the body if taken to extremes.
2007-07-10 12:06:07 · answer #6 · answered by brkshandilya 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throughout Scripture, we find fasting in conjunction with repentance. It is a way to take our eyes off our fleshly needs and place them on God, to focus on God, not ourselves.
2007-07-10 12:02:54 · answer #7 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Judaism, we fast to "afflict our souls." It is intended to remind us of past and potential future suffering on days of mourning and repentance.
2007-07-10 12:02:48 · answer #8 · answered by Alowishus B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suffering is good for the soul--or so the Christians would like you to believe. If you believe the opposite and are looking for some kind of path to follow, so to speak, then Buddhism is for you
2007-07-10 12:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is no purpose, at least none in the christian beliefs. theres even a verse that says its pointless.
1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
2007-07-10 12:00:08 · answer #10 · answered by Chippy v1.0.0.3b 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋