96
Counsels on Diet and Foods
These lessons are for us. There are conditions to be observed by all
who would preserve health. All should learn what these conditions are.
The Lord is not pleased with ignorance in regard to His laws, either
natural or spiritual. We are to be workers together with God for the
restoration of health to the body as well as to the soul.—
The Desire of
Ages, 824, 1898
Self-inflicted Suffering
198. The human family have brought upon themselves diseases
of various forms by their own wrong habits. They have not studied
how to live healthfully, and their transgression of the laws of their
being has produced a deplorable state of things. The people have
seldom accredited their sufferings to the true cause—their own wrong
course of action. They have indulged in intemperance in eating, and
made a god of their appetite. In all their habits they have manifested
a recklessness in regard to health and life; and when, as the result,
sickness has come upon them they have made themselves believe that
God was the author of it, when their own wrong course of action has
brought the sure result.—How to Live 3:49, 1866.
[122]
199. Disease never comes without a cause. The way is prepared,
and disease invited, by disregard of the laws of health. Many suffer in
consequence of the transgression of their parents. While they are not
responsible for what their parents have done, it is nevertheless their
duty to ascertain what are and what are not violations of the laws of
health. They should avoid the wrong habits of their parents, and by
correct living, place themselves in better conditions.
The greater number, however, suffer because of their own wrong
course of action. They disregard the principles of health by their habits
of eating, drinking, dressing, and working. Their transgression of
nature’s laws produces the sure result; and when sickness comes upon
them, many do not credit their suffering to the true cause, but murmur
against God because of their afflictions. But God is not responsible
for the suffering that follows disregard of natural law....
Intemperate eating is often the cause of sickness, and what nature
most needs is to be relieved of the undue burden that has been placed
upon her.—
The Ministry of Healing, 234, 235, 1905
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Parents Sow Seeds of Disease and Death—635
]