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Temperance
Habits, Tastes, and Inclinations to Be Educated
—Nothing
can be more offensive to God than to cripple or abuse the gifts lent
us to be devoted to His service. It is written, “Whether therefore ye
eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
In every important work, there are times of crisis, when there
is great need that those connected with the work should have clear
minds. There must be men who realize, as did the apostle Paul, the
importance of practicing temperance in all things. There is work for
us to do—stern, earnest work for our Master. All our habits, tastes,
and inclinations must be educated in harmony with the laws of life
and health. By this means we may secure the very best physical
condition, and have mental clearness to discern between the evil and
the good.
Intemperance of any kind benumbs the perceptive organs, and so
weakens the brain nerve power that eternal things are not appreciated,
but are placed on a level with common things. The higher powers of
the mind, designed for noble purposes, are brought into slavery to
the baser passions. If the physical habits are not right, the mental and
moral powers cannot be strong; for great sympathy exists between
the physical and the moral. The apostle Peter understood this, and
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raised his voice of warning: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as
strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul.”
Higher Interests Imperiled
—Thus the word of God plainly
warns us that unless we abstain from fleshly lusts, the physical nature
will be brought into conflict with the spiritual. Lustful indulgence
wars against health and peace. A warfare is instituted between the
higher and the lower attributes of the man. The lower propensities,
strong and active, oppress the soul. The highest interests of the being
are imperiled by the indulgence of unsanctified appetite.—
The Signs
of the Times, January 27, 1909
.
A Lesson for Seventh-day Adventists
—The case of Aaron’s
sons has been placed upon record for the benefit of God’s people,
and should teach those especially who are preparing for the second
coming of Christ, that the indulgence of a depraved appetite destroys
the fine feelings of the soul, and so affects the reasoning powers
which God has given to man, that spiritual and holy things lose