HEALTH REFORMHEALTH REFORM

CAN FOOD REALLY CAN FOOD REALLY KEEP YOU FROM KEEP YOU FROM BEING SPIRITUALLY BEING SPIRITUALLY PREPARED?PREPARED?

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”

Genesis 3:1

Through temptations addressed to the appetite he has, to a large extent, led men into sin from the time when he induced Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. It was by this same means that he led Israel to murmur against God.

Genesis 3:1

Intemperance in eating and drinking, leading as it does to the indulgence of the lower passions, prepares the way for men to disregard all moral obligations. When assailed by temptation, they have little power of resistance. – Conflict and Courage, 103

Genesis 3:1

“The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character.

POWER OF APPETITE

The continual transgression of man for six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruits. And as we near the close of time, Satan's temptation to indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome.” – Testimonies for the Church Vol. 3, 491-492

POWER OF APPETITE

1. EATING TOO FREQUENTLY1. EATING TOO FREQUENTLY

“There should be no eating between meals, and at least five hours should be allowed to elapse between the meals. …The dullness from which people suffer is often caused by overeating, and by eating at irregular periods.

1. EATING TOO FREQUENTLY1. EATING TOO FREQUENTLY

Dyspepsia brings despondency, and one suffering from this disease, though he may profess to be a Christian, acts in an un-Christlike manner.” - This Day With God, 210

2. EATING TOO MUCH2. EATING TOO MUCH

“Oh, how many are low in the scale of spirituality, because they will not deny their appetite! The brain nerve energy is benumbed and almost paralyzed by overeating.”- Counsels on Diet and Foods, 63

2. EATING TOO MUCH2. EATING TOO MUCH

“We should not provide for the

Sabbath a more liberal supply or a

greater variety of food than for other

days. Instead of this the food should

be more simple, and less should be

eaten, in order that the mind may be

clear and vigorous to comprehend

spiritual things.

2. EATING TOO MUCH2. EATING TOO MUCH

Overeating befogs the brain. The

most precious words may be heard

and not appreciated, because the

mind is confused by an improper

diet. By overeating on the Sabbath,

many have done more than they

think to dishonor God.” – Child

Guidance, 532

3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD

“Especially at parties of pleasure is the appetite indulged with but little restraint. Rich dinners and late suppers are served, consisting of highly seasoned meats, with rich sauces, cakes, pies, ices, tea, coffee, etc.

3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD

No wonder that with such a diet people have sallow complexions and suffer untold agonies from dyspepsia.” – Counsels on Health, 111

3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD3. EATING RICH UNWHOLESOME FOOD

“Intemperance in eating and drinking, and the indulgence of the baser passions, have benumbed the nobler faculties of man.” – Counsels on Health, 111

4. EATING MEAT4. EATING MEAT

Leviticus 11

Deuteronomy 14

4. EATING MEAT4. EATING MEAT

No Blood…

No Fat…

Not from Weak or Diseased Animals

4. EATING MEAT4. EATING MEAT

“… the use of the flesh of animals tends to cause a grossness of body and to benumb the finer sensibilities of the mind.” – Counsels On Health, 115

4. EATING MEAT4. EATING MEAT

“Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet.” – Counsels On Diet and Foods, 380

5. DRINKING CAFFEINE5. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians, 10:31

5. DRINKING CAFFEINE5. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“Tea has an influence to excite the nerves, and coffee benumbs the brain; both are highly injurious.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, 423

5. DRINKING CAFFEINE5. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“The mind becomes enervated, and unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity of the brain is permanently lessened.” – Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 34

5. DRINKING CAFFEINE5. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“Those who use tea, coffee, opium, and alcohol, may sometimes live to an old age, but this fact is no argument in favor of the use of these stimulants. What these persons might have accomplished,

5. DRINKING CAFFEINE5. DRINKING CAFFEINE

but failed to do because of their intemperate habits, the great day of God alone will reveal.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, 421

6. DRINKING CAFFEINE6. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, 328

6. DRINKING CAFFEINE6. DRINKING CAFFEINE

“Sugar clogs the system. It hinders the working of the living machine.”– Counsels on Diet and Foods, 330

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. {9T 153.4}

Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to his original design, —that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat-eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh-eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us. All who are connected with our health institutions especially should be educating themselves to subsist on fruits, grains, and vegetables. If we move from principle in these things, if we as Christian reformers educate our own taste, and bring our diet to God's plan, then we may exert an influence upon others in this matter, which will be pleasing to God. {CTBH 119.1}

The Course of Those Awaiting Christ's Coming.-- Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us. {CG 383.2}

God's People Value Their Health

The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel's message and is just as

closely connected with it as are the arm and hand with the human body.--1T 486

(1867). {LDE 80.4}

Tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol we must present as sinful indulgences. We cannot

place on the same ground, meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and such articles placed upon

the table. These are not to be borne in front, as the burden of our work. The former--

tea, coffee, tobacco, beer, wine, and all spirituous liquors--are not to be taken

moderately, but discarded.--3SM 287 (1881). {LDE 81.1}

True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use

judiciously that which is healthful.--PP 562 (1890). {LDE 81.2}

Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in

divine power--these are the true remedies.--MH 127 (1905). {LDE 81.3}

Whatever injures the health not only lessens physical vigor but tends to weaken the

mental and moral powers. Indulgence in any unhealthful practice makes it more

difficult for one to discriminate between right and wrong and hence more difficult to

resist evil.--MH 128 (1905). {LDE 81.4}

Necessary to the Advancement of the Cause.--Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God. As through it men and women are led to see the importance of right habits of living, the saving power of the truth will be made known. Every city is to be entered by workers trained to do medical missionary work. As the right hand of the third angel's message, God's methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.--Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 59. (1902) {Ev 515.4}

To Be an Entering Wedge

The gospel of health has able advocates, but their work has been

made very hard because so many ministers, presidents of

conferences, and others in positions of influence have failed to give

the question of health reform its proper attention. They have not

recognized it in its relation to the work of the message as the right

arm of the body. While very little respect has been shown to this

department by many of the people, and by some of the ministers, the

Lord has shown His regard for it by giving it abundant prosperity.

When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge,

making a way for other truths to reach the heart. When the third

angel's message is received in its fullness, health reform will be

given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the

church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household

arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body.

{CEv 72.2}