Chapter 286—Physically and Spiritually
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 2
.
God’s purpose for His children is that they shall grow up to the full
stature of men and women in Christ. In order to do this, they must use aright
every power of mind, soul, and body. They cannot afford to waste any mental
or physical strength.
The question of how to preserve the health is one of primary importance.
When we study this question in the fear of God we shall learn that it is best,
for both our physical and spiritual advancement, to observe simplicity in diet.
Let us patiently study this question....
Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of
flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and
who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not
continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful.
God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced
in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to
be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people....
God requires of His people continual advancement. We need to learn
that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and
soul sanctification. With all our profession of health reform, many of us
eat improperly. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and
mental debility, and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature
death. Let the individual who is seeking to possess purity of spirit bear in
mind that in Christ there is power to control the appetite.
The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace
and the acquirement of an even temper.... Erroneous eating and drinking
result in erroneous thinking and acting. All are now being tested and proved.
We have been baptized into Christ, and if we will act our part by separating
from everything that would drag us down ... there will be given us strength
to grow up into Christ, who is our living head, and we shall see the salvation
of God.
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