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COUNSELS ON DIET AND FOODS! |
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Diet and Spirituality # 2 |
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Effect Upon Discernment and Decision
(1900) C.O.L. 346 All are required to do what they can to preserve healthy bodies and sound minds. If they will gratify a gross appetite, and by so doing blunt their sensibilities, and becloud their perceptive faculties so that they cannot appreciate the exalted character of God, or delight in the study of His word, they may be assured that God will not accept their unworthy offering any sooner than that of Cain.
God requires them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the
Lord. After man has done all in his power to ensure health, by
the denying of appetite and gross passions, that he may possess
a healthy mind, and a sanctified imagination, that he may render
to God an offering in righteousness, then he is saved alone by a
miracle of God's mercy, as was the ark upon the stormy billows.
Noah had done all that God required of him in making the ark
secure; then God performed that which
Therefore, in order for the people of God to be in an acceptable
state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies and
spirits, which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny
the gratification of their appetites, and exercise temperance in
all things. Then may they comprehend the truth in its beauty and
clearness, and carry it out in their lives, and by a judicious,
wise, straightforward course, give the enemies of our faith no
occasion to reproach the cause of truth. If their moral and intellectual faculties are beclouded, they cannot appreciate the value of the atonement or the exalted character of the work of God, nor delight in the study of His word. How can a nervous dyspeptic be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in him, with meekness and fear? How soon would such a one become confused and agitated, and by his diseased imagination be led to view matters in altogether a wrong light, and by a lack of that meekness and calmness which characterized the life of Christ, be caused to dishonor his profession while contending with unreasonable men? Viewing matters from high religious standpoint, we must be thorough reformers in order to be Christlike. I saw that our heavenly Father has bestowed upon us the great blessing of light upon the health reform, that we may obey the claims which He has upon us, and glorify Him in our bodies and spirits, which are His, and finally stand without fault before the throne of God. Our faith requires us to elevate the standard, and take advance steps. While many question the course pursued by other health reformers, they, as reasonable men, should do something themselves. Our race is in a deplorable condition, suffering from disease of every description. Many have inherited disease, and are great sufferers because of the wrong habits of their parents; and yet they pursue the same wrong course in regard to themselves and their children which was pursued toward them. They are ignorant in regard to themselves. They are sick and do not know that their own wrong habits are causing them immense suffering.
There are but few as yet who are aroused sufficiently to
understand how much their habits of diet have to do with their
health, their characters, their usefulness in this world, and
their eternal destiny. I saw that it is the duty of those who
have received the light from heaven, and have realized the
benefit of walking in it, to manifest a greater interest for
those who are still suffering for want of knowledge.
Sabbathkeepers who are looking for the soon appearing of their
Saviour should be the last to manifest a lack of interest in
this great work of reform. Men and women must be instructed, and
ministers and people should feel that the burden of the work
rests upon them to agitate the subject, and urge it home upon
others.
MS 129, 1901
(1869) 2T 202, 203 Our tables are frequently spread with luxuries neither healthful nor necessary, because we love these things more than we love self-denial, freedom from disease, and soundness of mind. Jesus sought earnestly for strength from His Father. This the divine Son of God considered of more value, even for Himself, than to sit at the most luxurious table. He has given us evidence that prayer is essential in order to receive strength to contend with the powers of darkness, and to do the work allotted us. Our own strength is weakness, but that which God gives is mighty, and will make every one who obtains it more than conqueror. |
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