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Effect Follows Cause, Producing Health or Disease, October 23
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and
its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Matthew 12:33
, NKJV.
Adam and Eve in Eden were noble in stature, and perfect in symmetry and
beauty. They were sinless, and in perfect health. What a contrast to the human race
now! Beauty is gone. Perfect health is not known. Everywhere we look we see
disease, deformity, and imbecility....
Since the fall, intemperance in almost every form has existed. The appetite has
controlled reason. The human family have followed in a course of disobedience
and, like Eve, have been beguiled by Satan to disregard the prohibitions God has
made, flattering themselves that the consequence would not be as fearful as had
been apprehended. The human family have violated the laws of health, and have
run to excess in almost everything. Disease has been steadily increasing. The cause
has been followed by the effect.
God gave our first parents the food He designed that the race should eat. It was
contrary to His plan to have the life of any creature taken. There was to be no death
in Eden. The fruit of the trees in the garden was the food their wants required. God
gave no one permission to eat animal food until after the Flood....
Many marvel that the human race has so degenerated, physically, mentally, and
morally. They do not understand that it is the violation of God’s constitution and
laws and the violation of the laws of health that have produced this sad degeneracy.
The transgression of God’s commandments has caused His prospering hand to
be removed. Intemperance in eating and in drinking, and the indulgence of base
passions, have benumbed the fine sensibilities, so that sacred things have been
placed upon a level with common things....
Many have expected that God would keep them from sickness merely because
they have asked Him to do so. But God did not regard their prayers, because their
faith was not made perfect by works. God will not work a miracle to keep those
from sickness who have no care for themselves, but are continually violating the
laws of health, and make no effort to prevent disease.... God will not work in a
miraculous manner to preserve the health of persons who are taking a sure course
to make themselves sick, by their careless inattention to the laws of health.—
The
Review and Herald, April 2, 1914
.
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