Overeating and Control of Appetite
395
Every church needs a clear, sharp testimony, giving the trumpet a
certain sound.
If we can arouse the moral sensibilities of our people on the subject
of temperance, a great victory will be gained. Temperance in all
[168]
things of this life is to be taught and practiced. Temperance in eating,
drinking, sleeping, and dressing is one of the grand principles of the
religious life. Truth brought into the sanctuary of the soul will guide
in the treatment of the body. Nothing that concerns the health of the
human agent is to be regarded with indifference. Our eternal welfare
depends upon the use we make during this life of our time, strength,
and influence.
Testimonies for the Church 2:414
Oh, how many are low in the scale of spirituality, because they
will not deny their appetite! The brain nerve energy is benumbed
and almost paralyzed by overeating. When such go to the house of
God upon the Sabbath, they can not hold their eyes open. The most
earnest appeals fail to arouse their leaden, insensible intellects. The
truth may be presented with deep feeling; but it does not awaken the
moral sensibilities, or enlighten the understanding. Have such studied
to glorify God in all things?
Letter K 166, 1903
To deny appetite requires decision of character. For want of this
decision multitudes are ruined. Weak, pliable, easily led, many men
and women fail utterly of becoming what God desires them to be.
Those who are destitute of decision of character can not make a suc-
cess of the daily work of overcoming. The world is full of besotted,
intemperate, weak-minded men and women, and how hard it is for
them to become genuine Christians.
What does the great Medical Missionary say?—“If any man will
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
Me.” It is Satan’s work to tempt men to tempt their fellowmen. He
strives to induce men to be laborers together with him in his work
of destruction. He strives to lead them to give themselves so wholly
to the indulgence of appetite and to the exciting amusements and
follies which human nature naturally crave, but which the word of God