Ben Greenfield argues fasting works spiritually only when it's about serving God, not cosmetic goals or one-off cleanses. He warns against juice fasts followed by returning to bad habits, and says the real point is disciplining the flesh while enjoying God's gifts in moderation.
I don't think you should just fast for 21 days, juice only on January 1st, and go back to bad habits after that. There's a lifestyle enjoying what God has given us, enjoying, you know, the donuts you mentioned or a birthday cake. You're either disciplining the flesh or the flesh is disciplining you. I hate to say it that way, but that's the truth. I'm either bringing my flesh into subjection or my flesh is leading me. And it's a, it's a balance. It's a hard, you know, you've got that battle inside of us. And so I think as we're following God, as we're asking for clarity, as long as it's not, you know, oh, I want to get a six pack of abs and I want to be this super spiritual person. I want to, you know, if your focus is on serving God and pleasing him and in the word, you know, you'll be, you'll be guided, you'll be, you'll be led to what is the right direction.
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