Overeating and Control of Appetite
369
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 155-156
The abuses of the stomach by the gratification of appetite are a
fruitful source of most church trials. Those who eat and work intem-
perately and irrationally, talk and act irrationally, It is not necessary to
drink alcoholic liquors in order to be intemperate. The sin of intemper-
ate eating-eating too frequently, too much, and of rich, unwholesome
food—destroys the healthy action of the digestive organs, affects the
brain, and perverts the judgment, preventing rational, calm, healthy
thinking and acting. In order for the people of God to be in an ac-
ceptable state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies
and spirits, which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny the
gratification of appetite, and exercise temperance in all things. Then
they can comprehend the truth in its beauty and clearness, and carry
it out in their lives, and by a judicious, straight-forward course give
the enemies of our faith no occasion to reproach the cause of truth.
God requires all who believe the truth to make special, persevering
efforts to place themselves in the best possible condition of bodily
health, for a solemn and important work is before us. Health of mind
and body is required in this work; it is as essential to a healthy reli-
gious experience, to advancement in the Christian life, to progress in
holiness, as is the hand or foot to the human body. God requires His
people to cleanse themselves “from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” All who are indifferent, and
excuse themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for them
what He requires them to do for themselves, will be found wanting
when the meek of the earth, who have wrought His judgments, are hid
in the day of the Lord’s anger.
The Ministry of Healing, 176
A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is
possible to every one who will unite his weak, wavering human will
to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God.
The Ministry of Healing, 306-307
Many who discard flesh-meats and other gross and injurious arti-
cles think that because their food is simple and wholesome they may
indulge appetite without restraint, and they eat to excess, sometimes