350
Fundamentals of Christian Education
your spirit, which are God’s.” “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
;
10:31
.
The intelligent, conscientious care of our bodies is due to our
Heavenly Father, who “so loved the world, that He gave His only-
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.” We are individually the property of Christ, His
purchased possession. It is required of each one of us to preserve our
health and strength by the practice of temperance in all things. The
appetites and passions must be controlled, that through them we shall
not weaken or defile God’s human temple.
Anything that lessens the physical power enfeebles the mind, and
makes it less clear to discriminate between good and evil, between
right and wrong. This principle is illustrated in the case of Nadab and
Abihu. God gave them a most sacred work to perform, permitting
them to come near to Himself in their appointed service; but they had
a habit of drinking wine, and they entered upon the holy service in
the sanctuary with confused minds. There was the sacred fire, which
was kindled by God himself; but they used the common fire upon their
censers, when they offered incense to ascend as a sweet fragrance with
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the prayers of God’s people. Because their minds were clouded by
an unholy indulgence, they disregarded the divine requirement; “and
there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died
before the Lord.”
God prohibited the use of wine to the priests ministering in His
sanctuary, and the same injunction would have been made against
tobacco, had its use been known; for it, too, has a benumbing influence
upon the brain. And besides clouding the mind, it is unclean and
defiling. Let every one resist the temptation to use wine, tobacco,
flesh-meats, tea, or coffee. Experience has demonstrated that far better
work can be accomplished without these harmful things.
Let it be deeply impressed on the minds of the young by both
parents and teachers, that Christ has paid an infinite price for our
redemption. He has left nothing undone that He might win us back to
allegiance to God. He wants us to remember our royal birth and high
destiny as sons and daughters of God, and have genuine respect for
ourselves. He would have all our powers developed, and kept in the
best possible condition, that He may fill us with His grace and use us