Chapter 3—Controlling the Appetites and Passions
Abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul, “is the
language of the apostle Peter” (
1 Peter 2:11
). Many regard this text as
a warning against licentiousness only, but it has a broader meaning. It
forbids every injurious gratification of appetite or passion. Let none
who profess godliness regard with indifference the health of the body,
and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin, and will not affect
their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between the physical and
the moral nature. Any habit which does not promote health degrades
the higher and nobler faculties. Wrong habits of eating and drinking
lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite strengthens
the animal propensities, giving them the ascendancy over the mental
and spiritual powers.
It is impossible for any to enjoy the blessing of sanctification while
they are selfish and gluttonous. Many groan under a burden of infirmi-
ties because of wrong habits of eating and drinking, which do violence
to the laws of life and health. They are enfeebling their digestive organs
by indulging perverted appetite. The power of the human constitution
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to resist the abuses upon it is wonderful, but persistent wrong habits in
excessive eating and drinking will enfeeble every function of the body.
In the gratification of perverted appetite and passion even professed
Christians cripple nature in her work and lessen physical, mental, and
moral power. Let these feeble ones consider what they might have been
had they lived temperately and promoted health instead of abusing it.
Not an Impossible Standard
When Paul wrote, “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly” (
1
Thessalonians 5:23
), he did not exhort his brethren to aim at a standard
which it was impossible for them to reach; he did not pray that they
might have blessings which it was not the will of God to give. He
knew that all who would be fitted to meet Christ in peace must possess
a pure and holy character. “Every man that striveth for the mastery is
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