I have a doubt about having sexual relationship during fasting. This is becoming a conflict between my wife and I. I am on a 40 days fasting . I eat once in a day after sunset ie., I break my fast every evening. But I believe that I am not supposed to involve in sex during the 40 days. But this affects my wife. Please advise.  S. 

Hello S

First of all, we have been made free in Christ so that we are not under any obligation to either fast or not to fast. So, if you desire to abstain from food for most of the day you can do so. Do you though in any way despise or look down upon your wife for not sharing your preference to honor God ... or do you view yourself in any way as more superior because of it? If so, I would question any honoring of God in your abstinence. If it is your joy before God to do this without holding it as a barrier between you and your wife then that is fine.

Now, why do you believe you are not supposed to have sex with your wife during this time? Somehow, I'm having difficulty with your conviction because you already make an allowance to actually break the fast every day for the 40-day period and yet you seem to think sex with your wife during this time would violate it in some way. I would think that if you really wanted to honor God then you would see no reason not to honor your wife ... for this would most certainly be something that pleases God. :)

Remember, in Christ we have been made FREE and ALIVE. Live as one who is alive and free so that your wife will receive testimony of this freedom you have in Christ. There no longer is any violation ... not in true freedom!

Jim