“Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by his mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world.”
{Counsels on Diet & Foods: 58}
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 of God’s word are not appreciated. {32}
Christ knew that the world was given up to gluttony, and that this indulgence would pervert the moral powers. {54} … in order to successfully carry forward the plan of salvation He must commence the work of redeeming man just where the ruin began. As our first parents lost Eden through the indulgence of appetite, our only hope of regaining Eden is through the firm denial of appetite and passion. {59}
If the indulgence of appetite was so strong upon the race that, in order to break its power, the divine Son of God, in behalf of man, was required to fast nearly six weeks, what a work is before the Christian in order that he may overcome even as Christ overcame! The strength of the temptation to indulge perverted appetite can be measured only by the inexpressible anguish of Christ in that long fast in the wilderness. {54}
It is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break the ten commandments. To do either is to break God’s laws. Those who transgress the law of God in their physical organism, will be inclined to violate the law of God spoken from Sinai. {17} The time of ignorance God winked at, but as fast as light shines upon us, He requires us to change our health-destroying habits. {19}
Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet. {81}
At least five or six hours should intervene between the meals; and most persons who give the plan a trial, will find that two meals a day are better than three. {173}
The stomach must have its regular periods for labor and rest; hence eating irregularly and between meals, is a most pernicious violation of the laws of health. {175}
Not a particle of food should be introduced into the stomach till the next meal. In this interval the stomach will perform its work, and will then be in a condition to receive more food. {179}
Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. {36} The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating. {386}
God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people. {36} Satan presents this before you in the most objectionable light, that you may combat that which would prove the greatest benefit to you. {39} Through appetite, Satan controls the mind and the whole being. {67} And as we near the close of time, Satan’s temptation to indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome. {59}
All are being proved to see whether they will accept the principles of health reform or follow a course of self-indulgence. Far better give up the name of Christian than make a profession and at the same time indulge appetites which strengthen unholy passions. {34-35}
Note: We see the pull of our fallen natures when we are confronted by the lifestyle changes we need to make. This is the lust that must be controlled. It is not enough therefore to simply change the habits. The heart must be changed! No mere restriction of your diet will cure your diseased appetite. {35}
But we can say with Paul; “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” {Romans 7: 24-25}
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. {Romans 8: 5-8, 12-13}
The heart cannot possibly maintain consecration to God while lustful appetite is indulged. …Paul says, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” {1 Cor. 9:27} He mentions the fruit of the Spirit, among which is temperance. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24 {44}
It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian perfection. {236}
In the day of judgment, the course of the man who has retained the frailty and imperfection of humanity will not be vindicated. For him there will be no place in heaven… He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.—Manuscript 161, 1897.
We need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification. {45} In order for the people of God to be in an acceptable state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies and spirits, which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny the gratification of their appetites, and exercise temperance in all things. Then may they comprehend the truth in its beauty and clearness, and carry it out in their lives. {50}
If you pursue a wrong course, and indulge in wrong habits of eating, and thereby weaken the intellectual powers, you will not place that high estimate upon salvation and eternal life which will inspire you to conform your life to the life of Christ; you will not make those earnest, self-sacrificing efforts for entire conformity to the will of God, which His word requires and which are necessary to give you a moral fitness for the finishing touch of immortality. {CD 47.1}
Self-indulgence debars the human agent from witnessing for the truth. {53}
The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character. {59}
Notwithstanding all that is said and written in regard to how we should treat our bodies, appetite is the great law which governs men and women generally. {119}
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. {1 Corinthians 9: 24-27}
May God bless you, and may He help each one of us to run this race.
*All quotes used are from the book “Counsels on Diet & Foods” by E.G. White, unless otherwise indicated. Page is indicated by {0}. We hope the tract will encourage you to obtain and read this wonderful book.