Asceticism and ethics in evangelical communities: influence of fasting and vigil practices

Asceticism constitutes a defining practice within evangelical communities, expressed through fasting and vigil as disciplines aimed at strengthening personal ethics and civic conduct. The present study sought to analyze the perceived influence of these practices on moral integrity, social behavior, and spiritual experience. A quantitative, non-experimental research design with a descriptive-explanatory scope was employed. The non-probabilistic sample consisted of thirty-five participants from the Missionary Church “Paz y Amor” who completed a validated ten-item Likert scale. The findings were structured through a multidimensional framework analysis, which identified two fundamental axes: the Ascetic Praxis Dimension, APD, and the Ethical-Behavioral Projection Dimension, EBPD. Results showed levels of agreement exceeding 90% in specific categories such as self-discipline and closeness to the divine. Through outcome scaling models, it was determined that spiritual praxis functions as a direct antecedent of emotional regulation and communal responsibility, with vigil and fasting acting as catalysts for self-control. It is concluded that contemporary evangelical asceticism does not represent an act of mystical isolation, but rather a system of ethical training that significantly influences social conduct and the spiritual consistency of believers. These findings validate the continuing relevance of bodily disciplines as tools for cohesion and civic formation within the religious context studied.