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166
Temperance
will become slaves to appetite and lust, which are filling the cup of
iniquity of those who dwell upon the earth.”—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:490
.
Spiritual Vision Impaired
—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. Behold, all ye that
kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the
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light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall
ye have of Mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.”
Isaiah 50:10,
11
.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:258
.
An Aid to Clear Thinking
—We have no right to overtax either
the mental or the physical powers so that we are easily excited and
led to speak words which dishonor God. The Lord desires us to be
always calm and forbearing. Whatever others may do, we are to
represent Christ doing as He would do under similar circumstances.
Every day one in a position of trust has decisions to make on
which depend results of great importance. He has often to think
rapidly, and this can be done successfully only by those who practice
strict temperance. The mind strengthens under the correct treatment
of the physical and the mental powers. If the strain is not too great, it
acquires new vigor with every taxation.—
Testimonies for the Church
7:199
.
Qualifications for Men Chosen for Responsible Positions
—
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