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The Relationship Between Flesh and Spirit, May 10
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Galatians 6:8
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The lower passions have their seat in the body and work through it. The words
“flesh” or “fleshly” or “carnal lusts” embrace the lower, corrupt nature; the flesh
of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God. We are commanded to crucify the
flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on
the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be
expelled. Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. All animal
propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. The love of God
must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to
be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become
the instruments of righteousness.—
The Adventist Home, 127, 128
.
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. 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....
We should consider the words of the apostle in which he appeals to his brethren,
by the mercies of God, to present their bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God.” This is true sanctification. It is not merely a theory, an emotion, or
a form of words, but a living, active principle, entering into the everyday life.
It requires that our habits of eating, drinking, and dressing be such as to secure
the preservation of physical, mental, and moral health, that we may present to
the Lord our bodies—not an offering corrupted by wrong habits, but—“a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”...
A close sympathy exists between the physical and the moral nature.... Wher-
ever 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 exam-
ple 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....
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.—
The Review and
Herald, January 25, 1881
.
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