Temperance & The Spiritual Man

1. Temperance & The Spiritual Man

2. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • Primary Reason for the health message is to have a clean temple [a sharp mind, intellect and conscience] for the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in

3. We will look at the relationship between the physical and the Spiritual • We will see how temperance greatly affects the spiritual faculties of the man • The Spiritual and the mental and the physical are so intertwined and so affect each other that they are inseparable

4. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

5. Separation of the supposed immortal soul from the body at death logically diminishes any real importance to relation of healthful diet and lifestyle to our spiritual faculties – THIS IS IMPORTANT !!

6. Could this be the reason why the health message is not very prominent in the fallen churches of modern Christendom ?

7. It is very likely that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul has had a subconscious effect on thousands of mindsOne of its results – Intemperance is rampant in professed Christian churches

8. They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106: 13-15

9. Had they been willing to deny appetite in obedience to His restrictions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown among them. Their descendants would have possessed physical and mental strength. They would have had clear perceptions of truth and duty, keen discrimination, and sound judgment. But they were unwilling to submit to God's requirements, and they failed to reach the standard He had set for them, and to receive the blessings that might have been theirs. Counsels on Diet & Foods pg. 378

10. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • Do You desire mental strength ? • Would you like to have clear perceptions of truth & duty with keen discrimination and sound judgment ?

11. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Verse 8 • And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Daniel 1:8,20

12. Without Cooperation to the Laws of Health – God couldn’t have Blessed Them • Verse 17 -- As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17

13. The intellectual, the moral, and the physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh meats. Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities. We are composed of what we eat, and eating much flesh will diminish intellectual activity. Students would accomplish much more in their studies if they never tasted meat. When the animal part of the human agent is strengthened by meat eating, the intellectual powers diminish proportionately. {2 Mind Character & Personality 390.3}

14. It is not the physical health alone that is injured by pork eating. The mind is affected and the finer sensibilities are blunted by the use of this gross article of food.--{2 Mind Character & Personality 391.2} It is impossible for those who make free use of flesh meats to have an unclouded brain and an active intellect. {CDF 389.3}

15. Right physical habits promote mental superiority. Intellectual power, physical strength, and longevity depend upon immutable laws. There is no happen-so, no chance, about this matter. Nature's God will not interfere to preserve men from the consequences of violating nature's laws.-- CDF 29

16. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • Because of the principles along these lines – this probably one of the reasons why fasting is taught in the scriptures for clearness of mind & perception of God’s voice speaking to us • This may be one of the reasons why Jesus fasted during His 40 days in the wilderness. [He needed a clear strong mind to spend crucial moments with His heavenly Father before entering His ministry of healing & teaching]

17. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11 • Fleshly Lusts} *Appetite • *Sexual Desires • *Ambition or covetousness

18. Here is a lesson for all, but especially for the young. A strict compliance with the requirements of God is beneficial to the health of body and mind. In order to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God, and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.} CDF 32

19. Temperance & The Spiritual Man • Question: How can we reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments ? • a) first of all, seek wisdom and strength from God • b) observe strict temperance in all the habits of life

20. Definition or meaning of the word -TEMPERANCE • Simple Greek meaning = to exercise self- restraint • The best overall meaning would be – “To abstain from all that is harmful and to use in moderation that which is good.”

21. The apostle Paul counseled “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” Philippians 4:5

22. Now what would be the habits of life ? • Resting & Sleeping • Eating & Drinking • Exercising • Sunshine • Marriage or Sexual Relations

23. Gluttony is the prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths of God's word are not appreciated. The lower propensities have ruled men and women. CDF 32

24. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; }2 Peter 1:5,6

25. God gave mankind strong intelligence and He expects us to use this intelligence to obtain a knowledge: • First of all – How our bodies operate ! • What things we should avoid that will harm our bodies and interfere with the thought processes and spiritual perceptions

26. 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. {CD 62.1}

27. The abuses of the stomach by the gratification of appetite, are the fruitful source of most church trials. Those who eat and work intemperately and irrationally, talk and act irrationally. An intemperate man cannot be a patient man. It is not necessary to drink alcoholic liquors in order to be intemperate. The sin of intemperate eating, eating too frequently, too much, and of rich, unwholesome food, destroys the healthy action of the digestive organs, affects the brain, and perverts the judgment, preventing rational, calm, healthy thinking and acting. }CDF 50

28. Even professed Christians will use tea, coffee, snuff, tobacco and spirits, all of which benumb the finer sensibilities of the soul. If you tell them they cannot have Heaven, and these hurtful indulgences, and that they should deny their appetites, and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, they are offended, look sorrowful, and conclude that if the way is so strait that they cannot indulge in their gross appetites, they will not walk any longer in it. {3SG 116.1}

29. Powerful & Precious Promises Available • Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. } 2 Peter 1:4

30. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.} Galatians 5:22-24

31. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: Gal. 5:21a >GreekBlessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! } Ecclesiastes 10:17 >Hebrew • “Drunkeness”>Greek = simply means “intoxication” • >Hebrew = simply means “intoxication”

32. Drunkenness of the mind and the Spiritual faculties is possible through the indulgence of appetite !

33. What a pity it is that often, when the greatest self-denial should be exercised, the stomach is crowded with a mass of unhealthful food, which lies there to decompose. The affliction of the stomach affects the brain . . . Indulgence of appetite is the cause of dissension, strife, discord, and many other evils. Impatient words are spoken and unkind deeds are done, dishonest practices are followed and passion is manifested, and all because the nerves of the brain are diseased by the abuse heaped upon the stomach. } CDF 53

34. 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. A clogged stomach means a clogged 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 do more than they think, to unfit themselves for receiving the benefit of its sacred opportunities. {CDF 46.1}

35. 3 Outstanding Reasons for Using the Health Message for Evangelistic Outreach • It’s the example we have from Jesus • It breaks down barriers of prejudice • It clears up the minds of the people for the reception of truth

36. 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 by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. }1 Corinthians 9:24-27

37. Preparation for the Final Crisis • In view of the last great coming crisis; how much more should we strive to not only have strong, healthy bodies but clearness and sharpness of mind, conscience and intellect ?

38. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Revelation 22:4