Fasting is a spiritual dicipline. There are some who must not fast: those with certain medical conditions, pregnant and nursing mothers and children under seven. The guidance of a spiritual Father is needed when there is uncertainty.
Generally, concerning food, the Church Fathers taught that we should eat all kinds of foods so that ‘on the one hand we avoid boastful pride and on the other not show distain for God’s creation which is most excellent’ (St. Gregory of Sinai)
However, periods of fasting were encouraged to gain mastery over oneself and to conquer the passions of the flesh. (Not to please God or to afflict ourselves or to repair for sin). Self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, fasting is thought to be a part of gaining the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Jesus Himself fasted and taught His disciples to fast. He also taught that some forms of evil cannot be overcome without it. He taught that fasting should be in secret, like giving, in other words we are not to draw attention to ourselves. There are times when it is better to eat what has been prepared for us than to draw attention to our abstinence. We are to avoid pride in fasting and judging others would be quite wrong.
The church’s song in the Lenten fast is ‘Fasting in the body, brethren, let us also fast from sin’ the tongue also needs to fast, refraining from slander, lies, evil talking, denigrating one’s brother and anger. The eyes need to fast from looking at vain things. The hands and feet should be kept from every evil action.
The Spiritual Fathers are very clear in their teaching about fasting. They insist with the Lord and the Scriptures that men must fast in order to be free from passions and lust. But they insist as well that the most critical thing is to be free from all sin, including the pride, vanity and hypocrisy, which can come through foolish and sinful fasting.
Tags: Fasting
