Fasting During Lent Season ?

Hi, today I will be covering a very important subject which is in the mind of every Christian, particularly during the Lent season, whether we should fast or whether we should eat meat on Fridays.

But before that Let me say something about fasting. Firstly there is nothing in the Bible Specially in the New Testament that remotely suggests Christians Should fast and must follow a predetermined fasting, But the Choice is in the hands of the Believers.

Fasting is never commanded to us but prayer is… for example, “pray without ceasing ” “praying with all prayers and supplications”

Fasting was Done for a Specific & Determined purpose (Acts 13:2) is one clear example in the New Testament where Barnabas and the others Worshipped the Lord & fasted to seek direction from the Holy Spirit.

*Fasting should be done to take your eyes off the things of the world to focus and put your attention completely on God. * Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. * Fasting is done with gratitude, humility and with a joyful attitude. * Fasting should be done discreetly as taught by Jesus “and when you fast do not look gloomy as the hypocrites for they disfigure their faces to show men, they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received the reward in full….”

If you ask me what do I think about fasting ? then for me Fasting is good, profitable and beneficial for the body, it cleans your Gut and according to my research sometimes the ‘intestine’ should also go on a Break. Moreover i keep on fasting at times for Spiritual Growth, also to stay fit & healthy but that is particularly my idea and I do not impose on anybody. The last time I fasted for a long period was a 3 day fast and my purpose was to deal with Certain Sinful Habits & wanted to dedicate these 3 days entirely on Prayer & Worship of the Lord. Fasting is not just outward practice, but an inner transformation.

We move to the next topic……..

During the Lent season, a lot of Christians fast, and a lot of them abstain themselves from meat, “ the stated Reason of not allowed to eat meat on certain days or Fridays is to remind the faithful that Jesus died on a Friday”. Eating meat or not eating meat is not a spiritual issue. Abstaining from meat during Lent is simply a man-made ritual of the Catholic church and it has no Biblical Ground….It has no spiritual value and cannot guarantee that a person draws closer to Christ. God is pleased when we fast completely from our sinful habits & repent from our sins. This Season should be a time to examine ourselves and focus on the Lord and Repentance…but indeed that should be done every day not just 46 days of the Season.

Many Christians have the idea that giving up something for lent is a way to attain God’s grace but the Bible says that Grace is a gift of God and like all other gifts it is unearned. ( Ephesians 2:8-9/ Romans 5:17).

So now that being said, if you choose to fast, the decision is entirely upon you, but we are not commanded to fast in the Bible but like Jesus Said “if we Fast or When you fast” for some of your Reasons it should be done Privately and with Joy in our hearts. When it comes to repentance, we Should repent each and every day of our life for we all are Sinners and we fall short of the Glory of God, and if we are to proclaim his name and what he has done for us we should be doing that on all the days for the rest of our lives and lastly whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.

Praise the Lord.