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Messages to Young People
well pleased when he can hold the Christian world in their daily habits
under the tyranny of custom, like the heathen, and allow appetite to
govern them.
Intemperance Degrading
If men and women of intelligence have their moral powers be-
numbed through intemperance of any kind, they are, in many of their
habits, elevated but little above the heathen. Satan is constantly draw-
ing the people from saving light to custom and fashion, irrespective of
physical, mental, and moral health. The great enemy knows that if ap-
petite and passion predominate, health of body and strength of intellect
are sacrificed upon the altar of self-gratification, and man is brought
to speedy ruin. If enlightened intellect holds the reins, controlling the
animal propensities, keeping them in subjection to the moral powers,
Satan well knows that his power to overcome with his temptations is
very small....
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A large share of the Christian world have no right to call themselves
Christians. Their habits, their extravagance, and general treatment of
their own bodies, are in violation of physical law and contrary to the
Bible standard. They are working out for themselves, in their course
of life, physical suffering, mental and moral feebleness.—
The Review
and Herald, September 8, 1874
.
Self-Mastery a Duty
The body is to be brought into subjection. The higher powers of
the being are to rule. The passions are to be controlled by the will,
which is itself to be under the control of God. The kingly power of
reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear sway in our lives.
The requirements of God must be brought home to the conscience.
Men and women must be awakened to the duty of self-mastery, the
need of purity, freedom from every depraving appetite and defiling
habit. They need to be impressed with the fact that all their powers of
mind and body are the gift of God, and are to be preserved in the best
possible condition for His service.—
The Ministry of Healing, 130
.
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