Control of Appetite
117
imagination. In how many, even among Seventh-day Adventists, may
its leading characteristics be seen? An invalid—apparently very con-
scientious, yet bigoted and self-sufficient—freely avows his contempt
for the laws of health and life, which divine mercy has led us as a
people to accept. His food must be prepared in a manner to satisfy his
morbid cravings. Rather than sit at a table where wholesome food is
provided, he will patronize restaurants, because he can there indulge
appetite without restraint. A fluent advocate of temperance, he disre-
gards its foundation principles. He wants relief, but refuses to obtain
it at the price of self-denial. That man is worshiping at the shrine of
perverted appetite. He is an idolater. The powers which, sanctified
[151]
and ennobled, might be employed to honor God, are weakened and
rendered of little service. An irritable temper, a confused brain, and
unstrung nerves, are among the results of his disregard of nature’s
laws. He is inefficient, unreliable.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:196,
197, 1882
Christ’s Victory in Our Behalf
237. In the wilderness of temptation Christ met the great leading
temptations that would assail man. There He encountered, single-
handed, the wily, subtle foe, and overcame him. The first great temp-
tation was upon appetite; the second, presumption; the third, love of
the world. Satan has overcome his millions by tempting them to the
indulgence of appetite. Through the gratification of the taste, the ner-
vous system becomes excited and the brain power enfeebled, making
it impossible to think calmly or rationally. The mind is unbalanced.
Its higher, nobler faculties are perverted to serve animal lust, and the
sacred, eternal interests are not regarded. When this object is gained,
Satan can come with his two other leading temptations and find ready
access. His manifold temptations grow out of these three great leading
points.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:44, 1876
238. Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord’s first great
temptation, none is more important than that bearing upon the control
of the appetites and passions. In all ages, temptations appealing to the
physical nature have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading
mankind. Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental
and moral powers that God gave to man as a priceless endowment.