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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
Testimonies for the Church 6:374-375
The apostle Paul writes: “Know ye not that they which run in a
race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth
the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
.
There are many in the world who indulge pernicious habits. Ap-
petite is the law that governs them; and because of their wrong habits,
the moral sense is clouded and the power to discern sacred things is to
a great extent destroyed. But it is necessary for Christians to be strictly
temperate. They should place their standards high. Temperance in
eating, drinking and dressing is essential. Principle should rule instead
of appetite or fancy. Those who eat too much, or whose food is of
an objectionable quality, are easily led into dissipation, and into other
“foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdi-
tion.”
1 Timothy 6:9
. The “laborers together with God” should use
every jot of their influence to encourage the spread of true temperance
principles.
It means much to be true to God. He has claims upon all who are
engaged in His service. He desires that mind and body be preserved in
the best condition of health, every power and endowment under the
divine control, and as vigorous as careful, strictly temperate habits can
make them. We are under obligation to God to make an unreserved
consecration of ourselves to Him, body and soul, with all the faculties
appreciated as His entrusted gifts, to be employed in His service. All
our energies and capabilities are to be constantly strengthened and
improved during this probationary period. Only those who appreciate
these principles, and have been trained to care for their bodies intelli-
gently and in the fear of God, should be chosen to take responsibilities
in this work. Those who have been long in the truth, yet who can
not distinguish between the pure principles of righteousness and the
principles of evil, whose understanding in regard to justice, mercy
and the love of God is clouded, should be relieved of responsibilities.