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NASB | Matthew 6:16 ¶ "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:16 ¶ "And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. [Is 58:5] |
Subject: When fasting can I drink coffee? |
Bible Note: Greetings Doc, I believe the Bible does provide enough insight to give an answer. Fasting is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, and lasts for varying durations up to 40 days. Now, given that the human body can't go without food and water that long, it's reasonable to assume that water and bread were acceptable. In many cases throughout scripture, people who fasted abstained from even bread and water. According to Leviticus 23, people fasted at certain times through the year, such as the Day of Atonement, in order to humble themselves and atone for their sins before God. Isaiah 58 and Zachariah 7 speak of what is proper for a fast. It's the motive. Are you fasting because it's required or expected? Are you fasting because you want people to see how pious you are? Or are you fasting because you wish to correct your relationship with God and come closer to him? Now, to readdress the issue from the original question of drinking coffee in the middle of a fast. The idea of a fast is to abstain or go without. If one drinks coffee all the time, and continue through the Fast, is that person really fasting for the right motives? No, its more like a coffee only diet than fasting. Jalek |