Word of the Week: Asceticism

I was reading in Colossians a week or so ago, and in one section of it, Paul is encouraging believers not to be condemned by fellow Christians who might impose their own personal convictions and rules. Such man-made laws "...have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the flesh" (Colossians 2:23 ESV).

I had never heard the word asceticism before. It sounds like a disease. So I consulted the wisdom of Google.

Asceticism
n. (ah-SET-uh-sizm)
"Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons." (Google)

The hermit practiced rigid asceticism.
The nanny imposed asceticism on the children.
No dancing, card playing, or cake? What kind of asceticism is this?

I think this might be a new favorite word.

Hanneli