Jesus expects you to Fast

[Titus]

Fasting is very important in the life of the Christian as it purifies the body and spirit. It is widely documented as being very beneficial all over the world.

Christ said "When" you fast in Matt. 6:16 - revealing that He fully expects Christians to fast to supplement their purification endeavors.

The word "When" in that verse is the Greek word hotan 3752.

Hotan means when, or whenever, indicating that Christ expected us to fast on a regular basis.

Hotan 3752
hotan: whenever
Original Word: ὅταν
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Transliteration: hotan
Phonetic Spelling: (hot'-an)
Definition: whenever

3752 hótan (from 3753 /hóte, "when" and 302 /án, "whenever a specified condition is fulfilled") – properly, "at the time when the condition is met," i.e. whenever that occurs, "at the time (it happens)" (J. Thayer).
Usage: when, whenever.

It is very important for us to be fasting regularly to loosen the bonds of any demonic influence on ourselves and our lives. The enemy is always seeking a way to creep into one or more areas of our lives to lead us astray. We must do all that we can to keep those forces at bay.

God bless.

[Athanasius]

Where are you connecting the fasting of Matthew 6:16 to demonic bonds and influence? Is this some loose connection to Mark 9?

But yes, fasting is a desirable practice.

[Titus]

Where are you connecting the fasting of Matthew 6:16 to demonic bonds and influence? Is this some loose connection to Mark 9?

But yes, fasting is a desirable practice.

Tell me about Mark 9.

Jesus disciples struggled to cast a demon out of a child and consulted Jesus on the matter. To which Jesus rebuked the demon and cast it out of the child at once and said to His disciples,

"... this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21

[Athanasius]

Where are you connecting the fasting of Matthew 6:16 to demonic bonds and influence? Is this some loose connection to Mark 9?

But yes, fasting is a desirable practice.

Tell me about Mark 9.

Jesus disciples struggled to cast a demon out of a child and consulted Jesus on the matter. To which Jesus rebuked the demon and cast it out of the child at once and said to His disciples,

"... this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21

It's the same account as Matthew 17:21, but I've referenced Mark 9 as the manuscript evidence for Matthew 17:21 suggests it's an interpolation (of Mark 9:29). Even the inclusion of 'fasting' in Mark 9:29 isn't in the earliest/best manuscripts. But let's say we keep it as is for the sake of King James --

The question is, what is in mind by fasting? Does Jesus mean something like 16/8 IF, or would his audience understand fasting as a more intense form of prayer? Although, even in Mark 9 (or Matthew 17, if you like), we have a very particular account of demonic possession. So another question is whether it's appropriate to take this example and extend it to mean that fasting is a method of loosening demonic bonds and influence generally.

I'm not so sure about that last question. Are you inferring based on the text, or is this a teaching found in some other portion of Scripture that you have in mind?

[Titus]

I'm not so sure about that last question.

Didn't ask any question.

[Athanasius]

I'm not so sure about that last question.

Didn't ask any question.

Oh

Tell me about Mark 9.

[Athanasius]

I'm not so sure about that last question.

Didn't ask any question.

Oh

Tell me about Mark 9.

Although I was of course referring to my own question.

[Titus]

I'm not so sure about that last question.

Didn't ask any question.

Oh

Tell me about Mark 9.

Although I was of course referring to my own question.

Fasting is extremely beneficial to health, even to the point of curing diseases.

Jesus makes the case that it also purifies us spiritually, sanctifies us to Him and releases us from demonic influence, and even possession.

[Fenris]

Jesus makes the case that it also purifies us spiritually, sanctifies us to Him and releases us from demonic influence, and even possession.

So Jesus didn't come to free us from the "curse of the law " (Gal 3:13) since he just introduced new laws.

That your point?

[Titus]

Jesus makes the case that it also purifies us spiritually, sanctifies us to Him and releases us from demonic influence, and even possession.

So Jesus didn't come to free us from the "curse of the law " (Gal 3:13) since he just introduced new laws.

That your point?

Fasting doesn't have anything to do with either.

Jesus obviously expected His followers to fast since He said "When" you fast.

Not if, not just in case you happen try it out, etc.

He said "When".

Do you see any particular Commandments to PRAY?

Yet they ask Him how to pray and He tells them.

Both prayer and fasting are obvious requirements for the Christian to live his/her best life of service. They help US, they serve US in our walk.

Doesn't have to be a Commandment. That's a silly argument.

Also, followers of the God of the Bible were fasting way back in the OT. So Jesus didn't introduce anything "NEW".

[Fenris]

Also, followers of the God of the Bible were fasting way back in the OT. So Jesus didn't introduce anything "NEW".

Ah, so nothing new. Why'd he come, then?

[Athanasius]

I'm not so sure about that last question.

Didn't ask any question.

Oh

Tell me about Mark 9.

Although I was of course referring to my own question.

Fasting is extremely beneficial to health, even to the point of curing diseases.

Jesus makes the case that it also purifies us spiritually, sanctifies us to Him and releases us from demonic influence, and even possession.

This is the question:

"[A]nother question is whether it's appropriate to take this example and extend it to mean that fasting is a method of loosening demonic bonds and influence generally." To what portion of scripture are you appealing to for this view?

[christian.believer144]

Fasting is an act of humbleness and worship towards God. It is similar to kneeling when praying the Lord's Prayer daily.
Fasting is not purification. Jesus already did that for us. Nothing to add.
Fasting is humbling ourselves before God, out of love. It is not works of the flesh.

[RabbiKnife]

Christians are not required to kneel and pray the Lords Prayer daily

That’s a works based gospel and so anathema to Jesus

[hisleast]

Both prayer and fasting are obvious requirements for the Christian to live his/her best life of service. They help US, they serve US in our walk.

Threads like this fill me with reassurance that my apostasy was the only option available.

Does it ever get old?  Looking for ways to disqualify other believers from the faith?