From: inteligencialtda
Fasting, as discussed, is an ancient practice with roots in the Old Testament, extending into the New Testament, and carrying significant spiritual and physiological benefits [01:40:21].
Spiritual Discipline
Fasting is primarily defined as a spiritual discipline [01:40:59]. There is no true spiritual fast without prayer connected to it, alongside reading the Bible and seeking God [01:41:03] [01:42:07]. Its purpose is to consecrate oneself to God for a specific reason, making the mind and spirit much sharper for spiritual revelations [01:41:40] [01:41:55]. This practice is a way to show God, angels, and demons a “living sacrifice” by denying one’s own will [01:54:11] [01:54:31]. It is a powerful method to tell the “flesh” (body and soul) that it does not rule [01:48:52] [01:49:00].
Biblical Examples of Fasting
Several figures in the Bible demonstrated different forms of fasting:
- Moses fasted for 40 days without food or water, a supernatural act [01:45:01].
- Jesus also fasted for 40 days in the desert, experiencing hunger afterward but not thirst [01:45:05].
- Daniel fasted for 21 days, abstaining from rich foods and likely only consuming vegetables [01:45:32] [01:45:41].
- The Pharisees also practiced fasting [01:44:48].
Physiological Benefits
Beyond its spiritual dimension, fasting offers notable physical advantages:
- Increased Brain Function: When not eating, blood flow to the digestive system decreases, allowing more blood to reach the brain, enhancing mental sharpness for study [01:40:36] [01:40:50].
- Autophagy and Immunity: Fasting allows the body to initiate a process called autophagy, where it consumes bad cells, leading to a much higher immunity [01:41:21] [01:41:38].
- Pain and Inflammation Reduction: A fast can alleviate inflammation and pain in the body [01:44:27] [01:44:31].
- Ketosis: When carbohydrates are cut, the body shifts to burning fat for energy, entering a state of ketosis [01:43:27] [01:43:50].
Personal Experiences with Fasting
One individual shared a personal experience of a 40-day liquid fast in 2020, which resulted in a 25 kg weight loss, primarily for spiritual purposes, seeking more revelation and anointing [01:42:13]. They noted that after about three days, hunger subsided, and they felt super energized [01:42:36]. This individual also connected compulsive eating habits to a “spirit of gluttony” that they overcame through a 40-day partial fast (no solid food from 6 PM to 6 AM) [01:56:40] [01:58:16].
Fasting and the Fight Against the Flesh
Fasting helps weaken the “flesh,” which is the combined force of the body and soul that often opposes the spirit [01:48:30] [01:48:40]. It’s a way to discipline oneself and tell the body, “you don’t send,” particularly regarding appetites like food, which are often sought for comfort and pleasure due to emotional or hormonal factors [01:49:10] [01:51:06]. The pursuit of pleasure, while a natural human motivation, can become an addiction, which fasting helps to counter by denying immediate gratification [01:51:13] [01:59:44].
Practical Advice for Fasting
For those new to fasting, a recommendation is to start small, perhaps with a three-day liquid fast, consuming only water, or coconut water if feeling weak [01:46:27] [01:46:43]. While intermittent fasting has physiological benefits, spiritual fasting requires a purpose beyond mere dietary goals, focusing on connecting with God [01:46:56] [01:47:07].