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Counsels on Diet and Foods
not require His children to deny themselves to the injury of physical
strength. He requires them to obey natural law, in order to preserve
physical health. Nature’s path is the road He marks out, and it is
broad enough for any Christian. With a lavish hand God has provided
us with rich and varied bounties for our sustenance and enjoyment.
But in order for us to enjoy the natural appetite, which will preserve
health and prolong life, He restricts the appetite. He says, Beware!
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restrain, deny, unnatural appetite. If we create a perverted appetite,
we violate the laws of our being, and assume the responsibility of
abusing our bodies and of bringing disease upon ourselves.—
Christian
Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 150, 151, 1890
249. 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. 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.—
Testimonies for the Church
9:153, 154, 1909
250. God has not changed, neither does He propose to change our
physical organism, in order that we may violate a single law without
feeling the effects of its violation. But many willingly close their
eyes to the light.... By indulging their inclinations and appetites, they
violate the laws of life and health; and if they obey conscience, they
must be controlled by principle in their eating and dressing, rather than
be led by inclination, fashion, and appetite.—
The Health Reformer,
September, 1871
Usefulness of God’s Workers Depends Upon Controlled Appetite
251. Present before the people the need of resisting the temptation
to indulge appetite. This is where many are failing. Explain how
closely body and mind are related, and show the need of keeping both
in the very best condition....
All who indulge the appetite, waste the physical energies, and
weaken the moral power, will sooner or later feel the retribution that
follows the transgression of physical law.