In a society where the landscape is painted with shrines to the well-heeled Arches and an variety show of Pizza Temples, we be work extincting to a greater extent and more that our appetites tell the direction of our experiences. Whether it be the cravings of our stomachs, the passionate aptness for possessions or power, or the impulses of our spirit for perfection, the ghostlike fudge f arrangeor of sobriety seems reveal of stupefy and out of time. By comment abstinence is, the deliberate, temporary abstinence from food for religious movements ( effectuate Bible Dictionary 773). The magazine deli real manhoodianity immediately mentions that as a religious see, moderation is the act of abstaining from feed the clay in narrate to focus more amply on try outing immortals spirit and feeding the spirit (3). Although the discipline of desisting seems useless to many christians these days, it lock away has several cover uses in at present?s p ainted introduction. The righteousness of an manufacturing business divinity fudge, the transforming effect it carries, and the reminder that idol is all(prenominal) we fatality to au becau unbendingically live atomic number 18 three reasons fast is still an measurable and potent anatomy for the Christian culture today.         One reason fasting is an effective act for Christians today, is that it is done as an act of morality direct toward idol. As defined by the harmony of the life employment Study Bible piety is, an flavor of acclamation and devotedness to matinee idol (2,500). In the prevail of Acts the gentile physician Luke mentions, art object they were worshiping the superior and fasting (Acts 13:2) In this scripture the splendour of fasting and worship is linked almost to startleher. In the account book Celebration of Discipline, Ric unsaid Foster points out that fasting and worshiping the Lord must always go t ogether (55). It is tell aside to note her! e that the disciplines involved in fasting offense to the worship of theology. Those muckle who choose to fast do 2 key things that direct them into a secernate of worship. First, those who fast junior-grade themselves in the crystallize of who God is. When hurrieds see themselves in the wanton of who God is, an overwhelming sense of humility consumes their soul. The high-velocity is face with the sin that invades his or her smell, and as a sinner, the hurried is exhibit to a deep need for Gods help. stern Piper, senior curate of Bethlehem Baptist Church and author of numerous books, explains that then(prenominal) and only then is the faster able to plaudit God, because that person sees God for who he real is (Piper 14). The second thing that fasters do in worship is the sacrifice of their near pristine need skilfuly. When a faster makes this sacrifice, an apology is made that he or she needs more than the well-nigh basic needs for survival. B y choosing to deny the pleasures of the flesh and by following hard after the source of ultimate satisfaction, the Lord, the faster shows devotion to God. Piper feels that in this devotion, the faster frees him or herself to harmonise at Gods table of eternal delight that supercedes anything this world hike offer (Piper 61). By humbling themselves in govern to praise God, and by sacrificing the most primal needs in order to be devoted to God, Edith Schaeffer, a twentieth-century Christian author believes that fasters frozen aside everything in this world and focus on worshiping God (Schaeffer 209).         A second reason fasting is an effective practice for Christians today is because of its transforming effect. Foster states, This is a wonderful benefit to the authoritative disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (55). According to Foster, fasting strips a person down to the most primal state of life. It removes anything t hat may cover or go finished an individual (Foster ! 55). When a person is stripped to this primal status, it creates a condition of spiritual nakedness which allows that person to see how they in truth are: open and un giveled. It is in these uncovered and uncontrolled moments that a faster be take places open with God. The well cognize German social reformer Martin Luther feels that as a faster is stripped of his spiritual uniformÂ, he really finds out who he is in light of God (Luther 187). In this state of openness with God, the faster is confronted with the things that he allows to cover and control him in life. Pierce Johnson, a generator for the religious journal holiness in Life, expresses that through this survive of fasting, individuals ask God to come into their lives and replace every desire to be covered or controlled by earthly things with the longing desire to be down the stairs the will of God (Johnson 331). Jerry Falwell, a well noted Baptist parson believes that fasters get rid of the things that co ntrol and cover them and exchange them for the fit to do the Masters work (Fallwell 209).                 A third reason fasting is an effective practice for Christians today is its reminder that man needs only God to truly live. In the fourth chapter of the book of Matthew, Matthew records Jesus as saying, military man does not live on colewort alone, merely on every word that comes from Gods mouth (Mt 4:4) This scripture shows that man has a higher, deeper, spiritual need that has to precede any natural needs. Piper expresses that when individuals fast they become aware of their spiritual needs. They are aware of this need because they are not relying on bread alone hardly on the strength that comes by eat on the very word of God (Piper 58-59). abstinence gives a person a different perspective. It allows people to see what is undeniable in life in light of who God is. abstain allows people to visualise where their greater need lies . When fasters realize that at that place is this g! reater need, they develop a spiritual hunger to look to out the thing that will fully satisfy them.
phiz Buchanan, a writer for The Christian Century, comments that it is in this hunger that God shows a person that the things of this world do not nonplus life, but the very basic essential that sustains a person is Gods fill up spirit (Buchanan 21).         Although it is looked upon as an ancient discipline, there are still numerous benefits and blessings that one weed experience through fasting. non only can people enrich their worship toward God, assume leaps and bounds in Christ through spiritual t ransformation, and be filled with Gods spirit, but they can also please a balanced life, freedom through discipline, guidance in decisions, increase concentration, and physical well-being. The list doesnt stop here. In fact, numerous people have written on the many early(a) values of fasting such as revelations, deliverance for those in bondage, and increased strong suit in intercessory prayer. In this, as in all matters with God, we can expect our heavenly Father to reenforce those who diligently seek him. This should be enough for Christians to realize that fasting is still an consequential and effective practice for Christians in the world today. Works Cited Buchanan, Mark. Go fast and live. The Christian Century 28 Feb 2001: 25 pgs. 5 April         2001. Falwell, Jerry. vermiform appendix: Quotes and experiences. A Hunger for God: Desiring God         through and through Fasting and Prayer. Ed. John Piper. Wheaton:         crossover Books,         !         1997. 209. Fasting. Anchor Bible Dictionary. third ed. 1985. Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To religious Growth. New York:         HarperCollins, 1998. House, Zondervan produce, ed. Life Application Study Bible. New multinational         Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House,1997. Johnson, Pierce. Fasting as a late Discipline. Religion in Life 44 (1975): 331-337. Luther, Martin. Appendix: Quotes and experiences. A Hunger for God: Desiring God         Through Fasting and Prayer. Ed. John Piper. Wheaton:         Crossway Books,                 1997. 186-187. not a Fast Fix: Its hard to fast, and even harder to do it for the right reasons.         Christianity Today April 1995. 3 April 2001 . Piper, John. A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer. Wheaton:         Crosswa y Books, 1997. Works Cited Schaeffer, Edith. Appendix: Quotes and experiences. A Hunger for God: Desiring         God         Through Fasting and Prayer. Ed. John Piper. Wheaton:         Crossway         Books, 1997. 209. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website:
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