Physical Habits and Spiritual Health
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who had indulged appetite. As a result of this trial, Daniel and his
associates were permitted to continue their simple diet during the
whole course of their training for the duties of the kingdom.
The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self-denial of
these Hebrew youth, and His blessing attended them. He “gave them
knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had un-
derstanding in all visions and dreams.” At the expiration of the three
years of training, when their ability and acquirements were tested by
the king, he “found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom
and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten
times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his
realm.”
Daniel 1:17, 19, 20
.
Here is a lesson for all, but especially for the young. A strict
compliance with the requirements of God is beneficial to the health of
body and mind. In order to reach the highest standard of moral and
intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength
from God, and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.
In the experience of Daniel and his companions we have an instance
of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge the appetite.
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It shows us that through religious principle young men may triumph
over the lusts of the flesh and remain true to God’s requirements, even
though it cost them a great sacrifice.
What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise with
those heathen officers, and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion
by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That
single instance of departure from principle would have weakened
their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of
appetite would have involved the sacrifice of physical vigor, clearness
of intellect, and spiritual power. One wrong step would probably have
led to others, until, their connection with Heaven being severed, they
would have been swept away by temptation....
The life of Daniel is an inspired illustration of what constitutes
a sanctified character. Bible sanctification has to do with the whole
man.... It is impossible for any to enjoy the blessing of sanctification
while they are selfish and gluttonous. These groan under a burden
of infirmities because of wrong habits of eating and drinking, which
do violence to the laws of life and health. Many are enfeebling their