Control of Appetite
121
and uplifting of the soul. They were an honor to God, and a bright and
shining light in the court of Babylon.
In this history we hear the voice of God addressing us individually,
bidding us gather up all the precious rays of light upon this subject of
Christian temperance, and place ourselves in right relation to the laws
of health.—
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 22, 23, 1890
242. What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise
with those heathen officers, and had yielded to the pressure of the oc-
casion by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians?
That single instance of departure from principle would have weak-
ened their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence
of appetite would have involved the sacrifice of physical vigor, clear-
ness of intellect, and spiritual power. One wrong step would probably
have led to others, until, their connection with heaven being severed,
they would have been swept away by temptation.—[
The Review and
Herald, January 25, 1881
]
Counsels on Health, 66
[
Daniel’s Clearness of Mind Due to Simple Diet and Life of
Prayer—117
]
[
More about Daniel—33, 34, 117
]
Our Christian Duty
243. When we realize the requirements of God, we shall see
that He requires us to be temperate in all things. The end of our
creation is to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are His.
How can we do this when we indulge the appetite to the injury of the
physical and moral powers? God requires that we present our bodies
a living sacrifice. Then the duty is enjoined on us to preserve that
body in the very best condition of health, that we may comply with
His requirements. “Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever
[156]
ye do, do all to the glory of God.”—
Testimonies for the Church 2:65,
1868
244. The apostle Paul writes: “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