Hello, my name is Tony Rowland. Welcome to my blog. My discussion today revolves around dealing with the role of fasting and abstinence in Christianity. This is such a sensitive topic for most in the body of the Christian church. I am writing about fasting. Is fasting a commandment? Well, not in that tone. However, Jesus Christ fasted, and we all strive to be like him, right? This is not something that is old-fashioned, extreme, or ascetic either. Matthew Chapter 6:16-18 says:
“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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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 believe that some get it about fasting. However, another note about this chapter and verse that many in the Body of Christ fail to recognize accurately is that the Lord sees everything that you do. And unless it is revealed to you that he is watching you carefully play out the role of life, your mind cannot even ponder such a thing in the long haul.
Now, on the issue of abstinence, abstaining from sin is hard to do if you are unable to grasp the precepts and laws that are needed. The conflict is especially hard because of how you may be perceiving it. This is especially difficult to do if you are taught by false prophet teachers, priests, ministers, preachers, bishops, prophetesses, evangelists, and so on in the Christian church.
If your special prayer life (this is if you have one) is fuzzy, your results will be vague too. In my books, you will read how I was taught how to pray by an invisible deity that sacredly taught me step by step. Can you believe it?
I delve deeper into what a special prayer life looks like in my first book, Silent Cries in the Night: Untold Stories from the Edge.
With all this being said, the role of fasting and abstinence must be a fundamental piece in your daily walk with Christ Jesus. Otherwise, Christianity becomes like the rest of the religious players that have a void and empty God as a deity.