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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
Testimonies for the Church 1:486-487
Gluttony is the prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes
slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies
their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths
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of God’s word are not appreciated. The lower propensities have ruled
men and women.
In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God must know
themselves. They must understand in regard to their own physical
frames, that they may be able with the psalmist to exclaim, “I will
praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” They should
ever have the appetite in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs.
The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.
Manuscript 1, 1888
The development of evil in this age of the world is largely due to
the indulgence of depraved appetite. The animal passions are excited
and strengthened by that which is placed in the stomach for food. We
are built up from that which we eat. Physicians should study from
cause to effect. The animal propensities should not be educated and
strengthened to rule the whole being.
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” This expression, “Bought
with a price,” means everything to us. In consideration of the price
paid for us, shall we not yield our bodies and souls up to Him who has
bought us with His blood? Shall not that which He has redeemed be
kept in as wholesome and pure and holy a condition as possible?
What is the special work that we are called upon to do in our
health institutions? Instead of giving, by precept and example, an
education in the indulgence of perverted appetite, educate away from
these things. Lift the standard of reform in every line. The apostle Paul
lifts up his voice, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to
this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that