Abstinence is the self-denial of a practice, habit, need, food, etc., for a period of time, usually for spiritual purposes.  We are told to “abstain from things contaminated by idols and fornication” in Acts 15:20, from “sexual immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3), from “every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22), and from “fleshly lusts” (1 Pet. 2:11).