Physical Habits and Spiritual Health
81
as tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and morphine. These indulgences
may well be classed among the lusts that exert a pernicious influence
upon moral character. The earlier these hurtful habits are formed, the
more firmly will they hold their victims in slavery to lust, and the more
certainly will they lower the standard of spirituality.
Bible teaching will make but a feeble impression upon those whose
faculties are benumbed by indulgence of appetite. Thousands will
sacrifice not only health and life, but their hope of heaven, before they
will wage war against their own perverted appetites. One lady, who
for many years claimed to be sanctified, made the statement that if she
must give up her pipe or heaven she would say, “Farewell, heaven; I
cannot overcome my love for my pipe.” This idol had been enshrined
in the soul, leaving to Jesus a subordinate place. Yet this woman
claimed to be wholly the Lord’s!
Wherever they may be, those who are truly sanctified will elevate
the moral standard by preserving correct physical habits, and, like
Daniel, presenting to others an example of temperance and self-denial.
Every depraved appetite becomes a warring lust. Everything that
conflicts with natural law creates a diseased condition of the soul. The
indulgence of appetite produces a dyspeptic stomach, a torpid liver, a
clouded brain, and thus perverts the temper and the spirit of the man.
And these enfeebled powers are offered to God, who refused to accept
the victims for sacrifice unless they were without a blemish. It is our
[69]
duty to bring our appetite and our habits of life into conformity to
natural law. If the bodies offered upon Christ’s altar were examined
with the close scrutiny to which the Jewish sacrifices were subjected,
who with our present habits would be accepted?
With what care should Christians regulate their habits, that they
may preserve the full vigor of every faculty to give to the service of
Christ. If we would be sanctified in soul, body, and spirit, we must live
in conformity to the divine law. The heart cannot preserve consecration
to God while the appetites and passions are indulged at the expense of
health and life....
Paul’s inspired warnings against self-indulgence are sounding
along the line down to our time.... He presents for our encourage-
ment the freedom enjoyed by the truly sanctified. “There is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1
. He charges the