Diet and Spirituality
53
Prevailing Corruptions Due to Unrestrained Appetite
89. Many marvel that the human race have so degenerated, phys-
ically, mentally, and morally. They do not understand that it is the
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violation of God’s constitution and laws, and the violation of the laws
of health, that has produced this sad degeneracy. The transgression of
God’s commandments has caused His prospering hand to be removed.
Intemperance in eating and in drinking, and the indulgence of base
passions, have benumbed the fine sensibilities, so that sacred things
have been placed upon a level with common things.—
Spiritual Gifts
4a:124, 1864
90. Those who permit themselves to become slaves to a gluttonous
appetite, often go still farther, and debase themselves by indulging
their corrupt passions, which have become excited by intemperance in
eating and in drinking. They give loose rein to their debasing passions,
until health and intellect greatly suffer. The reasoning faculties are,
in a great measure, destroyed by evil habits.—
Spiritual Gifts 4a:131,
1864
91. Irregularity in eating and drinking, and improper dressing,
deprave the mind and corrupt the heart, and bring the noble attributes
of the soul in slavery to the animal passions.—
The Health Reformer,
October, 1871
92. Let none who profess godliness regard with indifference the
health of the body, and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin,
and will not affect their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between
the physical and the moral nature. The standard of virtue is elevated or
degraded by the physical habits. Excessive eating of the best of food
will produce a morbid condition of the moral feelings. And if the food
is not the most healthful, the effects will be still more injurious. Any
habit which does not promote healthful action in the human system,
degrades the higher and nobler faculties. Wrong habits of eating and
drinking lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite
strengthens the animal propensities, giving them the ascendancy over
the mental and spiritual powers.
“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,” is the
language of the apostle Peter. Many regard this warning as applicable
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only to the licentious; but it has a broader meaning. It guards against
every injurious gratification of appetite or passion. It is a most forcible