Basic HTML Version
The Sure Penalty of Self-Indulgence, September 17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 3:17
.
Perfection of character cannot be attained when the laws of nature
are disregarded; for this is transgression of the law of God. His law is
written by His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, every fiber of
our being, upon every faculty which has been entrusted to man. These
gifts are bestowed, not to be abused and corrupted, but to be used to His
honor and glory in the uplifting of humanity....
The relation that exists between mind and body is very intimate:
when one is affected, the other is always more or less in sympathy. It is
impossible for men, while under the power of sinful, health-destroying
habits, to appreciate sacred truths. When the intellect is clouded, the moral
powers are enfeebled, and sin does not look sinful. The most ennobling,
grand, and glorious themes of God’s Word seem but idle tales. Satan can
then easily snatch away the good seed that has been sown in the heart; for
the soul is in no condition to comprehend or understand its true value. It
is thus that selfish, health-destroying indulgences are counteracting the
influence of the message which is to prepare a people for the great day of
God.
We are living in a most solemn, awful moment of this earth’s history.
Not a soul whose life is one of careless self-degradation, through trans-
gression of physical laws, will stand in the great day of trial just before us.
There is a terrible account to be rendered to God by those who have but
little regard for the human body, and treat it ruthlessly. ... True religion
and the laws of health go hand in hand.
The least departure from the strictest integrity under any circumstances
because it is convenient, will harden the conscience and prepare the way
for the violation of moral obligations in other ways. If we treat the
health of the body, which is our highest earthly interest, without due
consideration, we prepare the way for temptation and the violation of
higher claims.
[267]
276