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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
a higher power, will surely work ruin and death. The body is to be
brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being. The passions
are to be controlled by the will, which is itself to be under the control
of God. The kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to
bear sway in the life.
Intellectual power, physical stamina, and the length of life depend
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upon immutable laws. Through obedience to these laws, man may
stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, con-
queror of principalities and powers, of “the rulers of the darkness of
this world,” and of “spiritual wickedness in high places” (
Ephesians
6:12
).—
Prophets and Kings, 488, 489
(1917).
Vital Energy Imparted to Mind Through Brain—The Lord
would have our minds clear and sharp, able to see points in His word
and service, doing His will, depending upon His grace, bringing into
His work a clear conscience and a thankful mind. This kind of joy
promotes the circulation of the blood. Vital energy is imparted to the
mind through the brain; therefore the brain should never be dulled by
the use of narcotics or excited by the use of stimulants. Brain, bone,
and muscle are to be brought into harmonious action that all may work
as well-regulated machines, each part acting in harmony, not one being
overtaxed.—Lt 100, 1898.
Dyspepsia Makes Religious Life Uncertain—The principles of
health reform should be brought into the life of every Christian. Men
and women who disregard these principles cannot offer to God a pure,
vigorous devotion; for a dyspeptic stomach or a torpid liver makes the
religious life an uncertainty.
Eating the flesh of dead animals has an injurious effect upon spir-
ituality. When meat is made the staple article of food, the higher
faculties are overborne by the lower passions. These things are an
offense to God and are the cause of a decline in spiritual life.—Lt 69,
1896.
Rightdoing Is Best Medicine—The consciousness of rightdoing
is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. The special bless-
ing of God resting upon the receiver is health and strength. A person
whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health....
There are those who do not feel that it is a religious duty to disci-
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pline the mind to dwell upon cheerful subjects, that they may reflect
light rather than darkness and gloom. This class of minds will either