16
Counsels on Diet and Foods
physical well-being, and that their every habit is open to the inspection
of God. Physical life is not to be treated in a haphazard manner. Every
organ, every fiber of the being, is to be sacredly guarded from harmful
practices.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:372, 1900
Responsibility for Light
13. At the time the light of health reform dawned upon us, and
since that time, the questions have come home every day, “Am I
practicing true temperance in all things?” “Is my diet such as will
bring me in a position where I can accomplish the greatest amount
of good?” If we cannot answer these questions in the affirmative, we
[20]
stand condemned before God, for He will hold us all responsible for
the light which has shone upon our path. The time of ignorance God
winked at, but as fast as light shines upon us, He requires us to change
our health-destroying habits, and place ourselves in a right relation to
physical laws.—
Good Health, November, 1880
14. Health is a treasure. Of all temporal possessions it is the most
precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly purchased at the loss
of the vigor of health. None of these can secure happiness, if health is
lacking. It is a terrible sin to abuse the health that God has given us;
such abuses enfeeble us for life, and make us losers, even if we gain
by such means any amount of education. [
Examples of Suffering Due
to Disregarding Light—119, 204
]
15. God has bountifully provided for the sustenance and happiness
of all His creatures; if His laws were never violated, if all acted in
harmony with the divine will, health, peace, and happiness, instead of
misery and continual evil, would be the result.—
Christian Temperance
and Bible Hygiene, 151, 1890
16. A careful conformity to the laws God has implanted in our
being, will ensure health, and there will not be a breaking down of
the constitution. [
Health Reform the Lord’s Means of Lessening
Suffering—788
]
An Offering Without Blemish
17. In the ancient Jewish service it was required that every sacrifice
should be without blemish. In the text we are told to present our bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable