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Counsels for the Church
Cooking on the Sabbath should be avoided; but it is not therefore
necessary to eat cold food. In cold weather the food prepared the
day before should be heated. And let the meals, however simple,
be palatable and attractive. Especially in families where there are
children, it is well, on the Sabbath, to provide something that will be
regarded as a treat, something the family do not have every day
Control of Appetite and Passions
One of the strongest temptations that man has to meet is upon the
point of appetite. Between the mind and the body there is a mysterious
and wonderful relation. They react upon each other. To keep the body
in a healthy condition to develop its strength, that every part of the
living machinery may act harmoniously, should be the first study of
our life. To neglect the body is to neglect the mind. It cannot be to the
glory of God for His children to have sickly bodies or dwarfed minds.
To indulge the taste at the expense of health is a wicked abuse of the
senses. Those who engage in any species of intemperance, either in
eating or drinking, waste their physical energies and weaken moral
power. They will feel the retribution which follows the transgression
of physical law
Many are incapacitated for labor both mentally and physically by
overeating and the gratification of the lustful passions. The animal
propensities are strengthened, while the moral and spiritual nature is
enfeebled. When we shall stand around the great white throne, what a
record will the lives of many then present. Then will they see what they
might have done had they not debased their God-given powers. Then
will they realize what height of intellectual greatness they might have
attained had they given to God all the physical and mental strength He
had entrusted to them. In their agony of remorse they will long to have
their lives to live over again
Every true Christian will have control of his appetite and passions.
Unless he is free from the bondage and slavery of appetite he cannot
be a true, obedient servant of Christ. It is the indulgence of appetite
and passion which makes the truth of none effect upon the heart. It is
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The Ministry of Healing, 307
402
Testimonies for the Church 3:485, 486
403
Testimonies for the Church 5:135