Fasting in perspective

fasting in perspective All rights reserved.

Copyright Š 2014 MOAMFJ. Slide design & graphics courtesy Microsoft Office 2010.

FALSE TEACHING ABOUT FASTING • Satan has fed believers false teaching about fasting.

False teaching and doctrine lead to destruction.

• For example, fasting will not break the power of sin in our lives Colossians 2:20-23;

• According to 1 John 1:7 we are cleansed from sin

by Christ’s blood not by mutilation of the flesh.

And according to 1 Peter 4:1,2 God ordained suffering helps the believer put away sin/evil desires

Many believers starve themselves because they lack a sound/sober/clear mind and self-control (1 Peter 4:7) • This therefore affects their ability to pray.

Nervousness, nervous breakdowns Mental instability/illness Disease due to deficiency of essential nutrients Ulcers, stomach cancers Acid reflux Large fluctuations in body weight

SOME PROBLEMS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE FASTING

Causes of acid reflux: • • • • • •

Meals taken at variable times Stress/trauma/anxiety Side effect of some medications Too many acidic foods in diet Wrong combination of foods at meals Wrong order of eating foods e.g. sugars should be eaten before protein • Meals of variable sizes

SOME PERSONS INCORRECTLY USE FASTING TO COPE WITH BINGE EATING!

Eating/food disorders • Spiritual problem: idolatry • Soul problem: struggle with negative/destructive thoughts and emotions when faced with distressing or challenging situations • Body problem: • Anorexia-starving oneself to achieve ideal weight • Bulimia-eating followed by purging e.g. vomiting, laxatives etc.

• Binge eating/gluttony-excessive uncontrolled eating • pica-eating hair, soap, wood, paper etc.

So food is worshipped!

• Why? – It distracts from other problems – It is all the person thinks about – It is a reward used to make the person feel better

Many chronic noncommunicable diseases e.g. diabetes, hypertension etc. could have started as binge eating. The implication of this is a number of persons may be focusing on managing their disease without addressing a potential contributory factor i.e. binge eating.

THE ROOT CAUSE OF IDOLATRY IS AT THE HEART OF ALL FOOD DISORDERS!

The Biblical value of fasting • PRIVATE PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY Matthew 5:16-18; Matthew 4:1,2; Acts 13:2,3; Acts 14:23; Mark 2:1822; • TO FOCUS ON GOD Luke 2:37; Acts 13:13; • DURING DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES & HARDSHIPS TRUE MINISTERS ENDURE AS PART OF MINISTRY 2 Corinthians 6:4,5; 2 Corinthians 11:27;