Overeating and Control of Appetite
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meetings. The brain is affected by the condition of the stomach. A
disordered stomach is productive of a disordered, uncertain state of
mind. A diseased stomach produces a diseased condition of the brain,
and often makes one obstinate in maintaining erroneous opinions. The
supposed wisdom of such a one is foolishness with God.
I present this as a cause of the situation in many council and board
meetings, where questions demanding careful study have been given
but little consideration, and decisions of the greatest importance have
been hurriedly made. Often when there should have been unanim-
ity of sentiment in the affirmative, decided negatives have entirely
changed the atmosphere pervading a meeting. These results have been
presented to me again and again.
I present these matters now because I am instructed to say to my
brethren in the ministry, by intemperance in eating, you disqualify
yourselves for seeing clearly the difference between sacred and com-
mon fire. And by this intemperance you also reveal your disregard
for the warnings that the Lord has given you. His word to you is:
“Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of
His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him
trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God....” Shall we not
draw near to the Lord, that He may save us from all intemperance in
eating and drinking, from all unholy, lustful passion, all wickedness?
Shall we not humble ourselves before God, putting away everything
that corrupts the flesh and the spirit, that in His fear we may perfect
holiness of character?
Testimonies for the Church 9:153-154
Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the
use of flesh foods, tea, and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food
preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by
sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they
know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetite be cleansed,
and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are
not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people
can stand before Him a perfected people.