Definition and Context:
Abstaining refers to the voluntary refraining from certain activities, substances, or practices, often for religious, moral, or health reasons. In the biblical context, abstaining is frequently associated with spiritual discipline, purity, and devotion to God. It can involve refraining from food, drink, sexual relations, or other activities that may lead to sin or distraction from spiritual growth.

Biblical References:

1. Fasting and Prayer:
Abstaining from food and drink is a common biblical practice associated with fasting and prayer. It is a means of humbling oneself before God and seeking His guidance or intervention. In the Old Testament, fasting is often linked with repentance and mourning. For example, in the book of Esther, the Jews fasted for three days before Esther approached the king (Esther 4:16). In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2).

2. Abstaining from Sexual Immorality:
The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to abstain from sexual immorality as part of living a holy life. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 , Paul writes, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This call to abstain is rooted in the understanding that believers' bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

3. Abstaining from Food Sacrificed to Idols:
In the early church, one of the significant issues was whether Christians should eat food sacrificed to idols. The Jerusalem Council addressed this in Acts 15:29 , advising Gentile believers to "abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality." This directive was given to maintain unity and avoid causing others to stumble in their faith.

4. Abstaining from Drunkenness:
The Bible warns against the dangers of excessive drinking and encourages believers to abstain from drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 states, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This admonition highlights the importance of self-control and being led by the Holy Spirit rather than by fleshly desires.

5. Abstaining for the Sake of Others:
Paul discusses the principle of abstaining from certain liberties for the sake of others' consciences. In Romans 14:21 , he writes, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble." This teaching emphasizes love and consideration for fellow believers, prioritizing their spiritual well-being over personal freedom.

Theological Significance:
Abstaining is a spiritual discipline that reflects a believer's commitment to holiness and devotion to God. It is an expression of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and a means of aligning one's life with God's will. By abstaining from certain practices, believers demonstrate their desire to live in a manner that honors God and edifies the community of faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Abstain.269. amachos -- abstaining from fighting
... abstaining from fighting. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: amachos Phonetic
Spelling: (am'-akh-os) Short Definition: not quarrelsome, peaceable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/269.htm - 6k

568. apecho -- to hold back, keep off, to be away, be distant
... Word Origin from apo and echo Definition to hold back, keep off, to be away, be
distant NASB Word Usage abstain (5), abstaining (1), away (1), away* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/568.htm - 8k

Three Good Reasons for Abstaining from Certain Kinds of Food.
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 14. "Three Good Reasons for
Abstaining from Certain Kinds of Food. 31. But, you reply ...
/.../chapter 14 name good reasons.htm

But Neither do the Jews Pride Themselves Upon Abstaining from ...
... Chapter XLIX. But neither do the Jews pride themselves upon abstaining from
swine's flesh? But neither do the Jews pride themselves ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlix but neither do.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which ...
... How those are to be admonished who abstain not from the sins which they bewail,
and those who, abstaining from them, bewail them not. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxx how those are.htm

Faustus Repels the Insinuation that the Prophecy of Paul with ...
... spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their consciences
seared as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, abstaining from meats ...
/.../faustus repels the insinuation that.htm

That the Union of Our Will with the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... The Stoics, especially good Epictetus, placed all their philosophy in abstaining
and sustaining, bearing and forbearing; in abstaining from and forbearing ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

Whether Continence is a virtue?
... Wherefore he is properly and truly continent who holds to right reason, by abstaining
from evil desires, and not he who holds to perverse reason, by abstaining ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether continence is a virtue.htm

Whether Venial Sin Can be Forgiven Without Penance?
... was explained in the [4778]FS, Q[74], A[8], ad 2; [4779]FS, Q[109], A[8]. Consequently
penance for mortal sins requires man to purpose abstaining from mortal ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether venial sin can be 3.htm

Whether Abstinence is a virtue?
... St. Augustine, QQ. Evang. ii, qu.11] observes that "justice consists neither in
abstaining nor in eating." Therefore abstinence is not a virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether abstinence is a virtue.htm

Whether an Aureole is Due on Account of virginity?
... Now widows have greater difficulty than virgins in abstaining from the
works of the flesh. For Jerome says (Ep. ad Ageruch.) that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an aureole is due.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery;" (Matt.5:27; ) and, in explaining this,
those blind leaders of the blind only insist on men's abstaining from the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

Abstaining (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Abstain. Multi-Version
Concordance Abstaining (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding ...
/a/abstaining.htm - 6k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from
intoxicating beverages, -- called also total abstinence. 2. (n ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... Clement of Alexandria: "Not abstaining from all things, but using continently such
things as one has judged should be used"; "such things as do not seem beyond ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

Temperance (3 Occurrences)
... Clement of Alexandria: "Not abstaining from all things, but using continently such
things as one has judged should be used"; "such things as do not seem beyond ...
/t/temperance.htm - 12k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... (3.) The condition was perfect obedience to the law, the test in this case being
abstaining from eating the fruit of the "tree of knowledge," etc. ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

Abstains (2 Occurrences)

/a/abstains.htm - 7k

Abstaineth (2 Occurrences)

/a/abstaineth.htm - 7k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... Such Jewish customs as fasting, cleansings, abstaining from pork, lighting the candles
on Friday evening, and keeping the Sabbath (Josephus, Apion, II, 29, etc ...
/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

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