Health and Happiness
69
He put forth his strongest efforts to overcome Christ on the point of
appetite, who endured the keenest pangs of hunger. The victory gained
was designed, not only to set an example to those who have fallen
under the power of appetite but to qualify the Redeemer for His special
work of reaching to the very depths of human woe. By experiencing
in Himself the strength of Satan’s temptation, and of human sufferings
and infirmities, He would know how to succor those who should put
forth efforts to help themselves.
No amount of money can buy a single victory over the temptations
of Satan. But that which money is valueless to obtain, which is in-
tegrity, determined effort, and moral power, will, through the name of
[79]
Christ, obtain noble victories upon the point of appetite. What if the
conflict should cost man even his life? What if the slaves to these vices
do really die in the struggle to free themselves from the controlling
power of appetite? They die in a good cause. And if the victory be
gained at the cost of human life, it is not too dearly earned if the victor
can come up in the first resurrection, and have the overcomer’s reward.
Everything, then, is gained. But life will not be sacrificed in the
struggle to overcome depraved appetites. And it is a certainty that
unless we do overcome as Christ overcame we cannot have a seat with
Him upon His throne. Those who in the face of light and truth destroy
mental, moral, and physical health by indulgence of any kind will lose
heaven. They sacrifice their God-given powers to idols. God deserves
and claims our first and loftiest thoughts, and our holiest affections.
At an infinite cost Christ our Redeemer has purchased every faculty
and our very existence, and all our blessings in life have been purchased
for us with the price of His blood. Shall we accept the blessings, and
forget the claims of the Giver? Can any of us consent to follow
our inclination, indulge appetites and passions, and live without God?
Shall we eat and drink like the beast, and no more associate the thought
of God with every good we enjoy than the dumb animals?
Those who make determined efforts in the name of the Conqueror
to overcome every unnatural craving of appetite will not die in the
conflict. In their efforts to control appetite they are placing themselves
in right relation to life, so that they may enjoy health and the favor of
God and have a right hold on the immortal life.
Thousands are continually selling physical, mental, and moral
[80]
vigor for the pleasure of taste. Each of the faculties has its distinctive