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Chapter 4—Importance of Christ’s Victory Over
Appetite
Christ’s First Victory
—Christ knew that in order to success-
fully carry forward the plan of salvation He must commence the
work of redeeming man just where the ruin began. Adam fell on the
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point of appetite.—
The Health Reformer, August, 1875
.
His first test was on the same point where Adam failed. It
was through temptations addressed to the appetite that Satan had
overcome a large proportion of the human race, and his success had
made him feel that the control of this fallen planet was in his hands.
But in Christ he found one who was able to resist him, and he left the
field of battle a conquered foe.—
Christian Temperance and Bible
Hygiene, 16
.
Cause of His Anguish
—Many who profess godliness do not
inquire into the reason of Christ’s long period of fasting and suffering
in the wilderness. His anguish was not so much from the pangs of
hunger as from His sense of the fearful result of the indulgence of
appetite and passion upon the race. He knew that appetite would
be man’s idol, and would lead him to forget God, and would stand
directly in the way of his salvation.—
Redemption; or the Temptation
of Christ, 50
.
Victory in Behalf of the Race
—Satan was defeated in his object
to overcome Christ upon the point of appetite. And here in the
wilderness Christ achieved a victory in behalf of the race upon the
point of appetite, making it possible for man, in all future time in
His name to overcome the strength of appetite on his own behalf.—
Redemption; or the Temptation of Christ, 46
.
We, Too, May Overcome
—Our only hope of regaining Eden is
through firm self-control. If the power of indulged appetite was so
strong upon the race, that, in order to break its hold, the divine Son
of God, in man’s behalf, had to endure a fast of nearly six weeks,
what a work is before the Christian! Yet, however great the struggle,
he may overcome. By the help of that divine power which withstood
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