FASTING

[livinganewlife]

I have a question:

If the Lord has directed a wife to go on a 30 day consecration and to lay out before the Lord for 30 days; does the wife have to get the permission of her husband?

The wife has asked her husband and he flat out says no, that she can not consecrate because the Lord hasn't told him anything about this consecration.

BTW the wife is fasting because of her husband:

Who should the wife obey: the voice in her spirit or her husband?

In the past the husband has given the directives on when to fast because they usually fast and consecrate as a family (church body), but this time there is a troubling in her spirit and there are some personal issues that she needs to deal with within her own soul, and she knows the only way to get deliverance is to fast and consecrate before the Lord.

Any advice???

[Beck]

livinganewlife said:

I have a question:

If the Lord has directed a wife to go on a 30 day consecration and to lay out before the Lord for 30 days; does the wife have to get the permission of her husband?

The wife has asked her husband and he flat out says no, that she can not consecrate because the Lord hasn't told him anything about this consecration.

BTW the wife is fasting because of her husband:

Who should the wife obey: the voice in her spirit or her husband?

In the past the husband has given the directives on when to fast because they usually fast and consecrate as a family (church body), but this time there is a troubling in her spirit and there are some personal issues that she needs to deal with within her own soul, and she knows the only way to get deliverance is to fast and consecrate before the Lord.

Any advice???

I can only speak from what I experience in my own marriage. If my wife comes to me and tells me that she is going on a fast that the Lord has commanded of her, then by all means I submit to the commandments of God even if he didn't speak it to me first. Its very simple logic if she is fasting the way the bible says and its for personal reasons that God told her to fast... who am I to stop what can only HELP our relationship?

Also did she tell her husband the reason for the fast? if not, that would kinda bother me since you know the reason...lol. It would also show a strong hold in the relationship that needs to be addressed..(proper communication between the two). If fasting means to afflict your soul, and to put us in position to hear/receive from heaven, and to protect from danger,comfort and give instruction...she should sit down and share with her husband the purpose of the fast, and even ask him to do it along with her.

[livinganewlife]

would it be harmful to fast (that long) and not let the husband know?

the wife is fasting because of the husband, don't know details (well if he is telling her not to fast need i say more)

[auneeqsol]

Well that wouldnt work because when you are consecrating you are suggested to abstain from coming together with your spouse in that way, until the period of consecration is over. So to not tell him , that would pose a BIG problem. So that wouldnt be wise....

[Beck]

auneeqsol said:

Well that wouldnt work because when you are consecrating you are suggested to abstain from coming together with your spouse in that way, until the period of consecration is over. So to not tell him , that would pose a BIG problem. So that wouldnt be wise....

I was thinking the same thing...but some people have different views about that scripture. Maybe the husband was saying no because 30 days is a little too long for him to wait..lol.

[auneeqsol]

And that could have very well been true. Because the word does speak on that....

Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

I guess the brother might be like "Nawl you aint fastin that long....."

The next question is, would God really tell you to go on a 30 day fast knowing that ones spouse is like that?
I know sometimes we can spiritualize things a bit, im not saying he wont have you too, but.....

But just to answer the original question about do you have to get permission.. I believe you do, because the word speaks of when one is married they not only care for the things of God but for the things of the world because they have to please their spouse. That is a relationship that is honored by God.

[hezsweetiknow]

Does the wife's fast/consecration have to include abstinence from sex?

Would the husband reject a fast that was a fast from food/tv/etc?

Every extended fast that our church has been on NEVER mentioned abstaining from sex. So I'm curious, is abstinence from sex during a consecration "a given?"

[livinganewlife]

Does the husband "rights" over rule what the Lord has told this wife to do; which is to Fast and Consecrate whether she abstain from sex or not?

Also does a "spouse" have the right to hinder your spiritual growth?

[giantsdodie]

I believe the scripture is clear. If she is to abstain from sex during her consecration then she would need to get permission from her husband.

[anointedteacher]

I believe if God has spoken to her, He will make away, without violating His Word. Of course God's voice come first..., He will be the one to deal with her husband.

We can not under-estimate God, He will make a way.... GDD.. Yes she must get premission, and she will get it.

There is a Bishop in Miami.... I remember this Lady years ago, came into my church on a first Sunday morning.... Her husband was the senior pastor of a large Baptist Church.... Well, she said God called her to pastor, but her husband said NO.... Women can't preach... She came our church broken and hurt. my aposle did not know her at all and she sat in the back seat of the church. My apostle called her up to pray for her, not knowing why this woman is so down. I don't remember what my apostle said or prophecied to her. She came back with a testimony ....God dealt with her husband, and he ordained her a co-pastor and later as a bishop. The couple are Bishops now.

Tell the wife do not be discouraged, if God really spoken to her, allow Him to work things out for you.

AT

[giantsdodie]

First and foremost we have to understand that GOD has a plan for our lives and HIS will shall be done. If God has ministry or whatever for her she will have to wait on the lord until HE orchestrates and aligns everything together for HIS glory.

If there is a question as to whether someone is hearing God accruately we can always ask GOD to confirm HIS word and He will.

[anointedteacher]

giantsdodie said:

First and foremost we have to understand that GOD has a plan for our lives and HIS will shall be done. If God has ministry or whatever for her she will have to wait on the lord until HE orchestrates and aligns everything together for HIS glory.

If there is a question as to whether someone is hearing God accruately we can always ask GOD to confirm HIS word and He will.

I totally agree.... That's what I was trying to say....

AT

[hezsweetiknow]

This may need to be a separate topic but when did a call to fasting/conscecration automatically imply a fast from sex between husband and wife?

Again, my thinking is if the wife is purely fasting from food/tv etc and not sex that a godly husband would be in full support.

And personally, I would definitely talk to my spouse if God is calling me on an extended fast so my husband would cover me in prayer and not bring me any food!

As a wife, I would certainly have some "concerns" if my husband said that God has called HIM (not me) on an extended fast and that fast included sex. Cause God didn't tell me but it impacts me -- greatly!

I think this issue could be resolved through honest and open communication and prayer between the couple.

I approach my husband and say this is what God is speaking to me....can you confirm? Do you agree? Your input? He's my head and I run these things by him especially where ministry is involved. And I've been told to wait in some instances and with good reason. Yeah I heard correctly, but God revealed something else to my spouse and together it all worked. Then there are times my spouse says run with the thing God gave me.

Communication is key in any marriage and equally so when it comes to dealing with the things of God and our spirituality.

And that's what I've learned during my 18 years of marriage. ;D

[Jasmine]

hezsweetiknow said:

This may need to be a separate topic but when did a call to fasting/conscecration automatically imply a fast from sex between husband and wife?

I believe that it does imply. If not why would we need our husband's consent? I don't need my husbands consent to fast from 6 am -5 pm. He works, I work. I'll turn aside my plate for breakfast and lunch..so why would I need his permission. However if I am fasting and consecrating myself for a full 3 days..I then would need his permission as, he may feel "led" to lay with me. . Its a sad day when a man is in full position, and his wife says No or I can't. They then can't sleep, have to drink some koolaid or take a cold shower, cause they done got all hot. ;D

Again, my thinking is if the wife is purely fasting from food/tv etc and not sex that a godly husband would be in full support.

And personally, I would definitely talk to my spouse if God is calling me on an extended fast so my husband would cover me in prayer and not bring me any food!

Amen. I believe he should also be in full support if she was fasting from sexual activities as well.

As a wife, I would certainly have some "concerns" if my husband said that God has called HIM (not me) on an extended fast and that fast included sex. Cause God didn't tell me but it impacts me -- greatly!

I definitely agree. However I would realize that My husband is fasting for something so great of a concern that it is causing him to abstain from pleasure with me. Its really not my job to seek to find out what it is, but I would also take that as opportunity to draw nigh unto God a lil more.

I think this issue could be resolved through honest and open communication and prayer between the couple.

I approach my husband and say this is what God is speaking to me....can you confirm? Do you agree? Your input? He's my head and I run these things by him especially where ministry is involved. And I've been told to wait in some instances and with good reason. Yeah I heard correctly, but God revealed something else to my spouse and together it all worked. Then there are times my spouse says run with the thing God gave me.

Communication is key in any marriage and equally so when it comes to dealing with the things of God and our spirituality.

And that's what I've learned during my 18 years of marriage. ;D

Amen. I wanted to know if when she approached her husband did she in fact tell him she was fasting and praying for him?

[hezsweetiknow]

jasmine said:

I believe that it does imply. If not why would we need our husband's consent? I don't need my husbands consent to fast from 6 am -5 pm. He works, I work. I'll turn aside my plate for breakfast and lunch..so why would I need his permission. However if I am fasting and consecrating myself for a full 3 days..I then would need his permission as, he may feel "led" to lay with me. . Its a sad day when a man is in full position, and his wife says No or I can't. They then can't sleep, have to drink some koolaid or take a cold shower, cause they done got all hot. ;D



Amen. I believe he should also be in full support if she was fasting from sexual activities as well.

I agree. I'm from the school of thought that if there's a consecration AND that consecration includes abstinence from sex (we don't automatically assume that it does), it would have to be agreed upon by both spouses. The word of God supports that a fast that includes sex has to be consented by both.

• 1Cr 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
  
  
  
• 1Cr 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
  

If we can't agree on a consecration that includes abstinence from sex, then we discuss the kind of consecration that would be acceptable.

The all or nothing mindset has buried many a marriage. If I can't have my way....and so on.

My experience has been that if God has spoken a thing in my spirit, it is usally confirmed by my spouse and sometimes without me saying anything.

It really requires communication, listening (really listening) and then praying together.