seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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.
I use to have to fast before surgical procedures when I was dealing with the cancer. It's not fun. Those around you, who are not fasting, forget... and drag out food in front of you.... and you crave.... and you gnaw your own tongue... because you are fasting... no crispy fried chicken with fried apple pies for you!!!But.... back in the biblical days... they fasted to get themselves ready for synagogue. They had reason to fast... to get closer to God.
The people in the biblical days didn't fast to loose the last five pounds to get into a dress.
They didn't have colonoscopy yet.... so they didn't fast for medical reasons.
They fasted because fasting would clean the system of toxins and help them get ready for God.
Fasting was religious!!
Now... those who fasted.... would either do it quietly... keeping it between them and God.... or they would complain complain complain complain so others would know the horror of the ordeal they were going through because no one had ever fasted like they could fast. No one was that good at getting closer to God.
Fact is.... Jesus told them.... God wasn't interested in their complaints.
Fact is.... Jesus told them.... "You don't need God's attention.... you've groaned and moaned so much you got the attention of everyone in town.... let them cure you ills.... after all.... you called to them... not God."
Being close to God is terrific.... why complain about getting close to God?
