The spiritual discipline that comes first to mind for many is fasting–the periodic abstention from nutrition usually accompanied by prayer. Fasting is alluded to in the Law of Moses as afflicting oneself.
Afflicting oneself evidently meant refraining from sustenance but that isn't really all that clear. In any event, whatever was meant, abstaining from food became a spiritual practice.
The practice was criticized by the prophet Isaiah. He saw a people who want through the motions of fasting and even had what would appear to us to be good intentions. But he condemned them as self serving. He demanded that the fast be a day to:
…loose the bands of wickedness, …undo the heavy burdens, and … let the oppressed go free, … break every yoke… deal thy bread to the hungry, and … bring the poor that are cast out to thy house… when thou seest the naked, … cover him; and … hide not thyself from thine own flesh….
It would not be incorrect to say that the heavy burdens are material poverty but it also may be incomplete to leave it at that. There is also a deep spiritual poverty in the world and many are in the clutches of sin. How can our fasting relieve their burdens?
One of the effects of fasting is that our body experiences the pangs of hunger and dissatisfaction. Fasting nourishes in us an empathy and helps us resolve to do our part to relieve the burden others feel.
Fasting is also a way for us to confront temptation in a safer way and demonstrate to ourselves that it is possible to resist it. Christ's fast in the wilderness is a model for our fast as we confront Satan in our weakness. But it can be a safer confrontation as we protect ourselves from the proximity of sin.
Fasting can prepare us for the world outside as we examine the pangs of appetite and the desire to serve our appetites and recognize the need for godly power and spiritual direction to confront it.
Is it wise for married men and women to abstain from sexual gratification from time to time? The Apostle Paul thought so. Paul came from the Law of Moses requirement for ritual purity when men and women were required to abstain from sexual relations until her menstrual uncleanness was ended.
This is a decision that couples should seek spiritual guidance on. It is true that married people may occasionally be forced to abstain from sexual relations. A man may be deployed in the military, a woman may be ill or may be restricted from sexual relations during a precarious pregnancy. Work related travel may keep spouses apart for some period of time. There is no provision in our covenants of chastity for relief except with each other.
Consequently, it may be a worthy discipline, in controlled conditions, for husbands and wives to practice abstention from sexual relations for periods of time.
But what benefit? If this is self centered and self serving it is of no benefit. There are many in the church who have no licit outlet for their sexual desires. They are striving to live chaste lives. Married men and women can learn about their struggles through their voluntary abstention from sexual relations.
But as Christ, said we are to wash our face and anoint our heads and not appear to men to be fasting. No one will explicitly know of of our fast but it can build strength in us that strengthens those around us. It can help us when we teach youth the law of chastity even when we have the opportunity to enjoy blessings that others must forgo. It strengthens our resolve and commitment to be obedient.
Yes indeed we must not allow this discipline to tempt us for our incontinency but we can practice it in awareness and faithfulness.
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