1) What is God’s will for us? ________________________________________________

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest ______________ and ____________

____________, even as thy ______________________________.” 3 John 1:2

2) In Whose image were we created, and to Whom do we belong? __________________

“And ______ said, Let us make ______ in __________________, after our ________________: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So ____________________________________________

__________________, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:26-27

“I will praise thee; for I am __________________ [and] ______________________ ________: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.” Psalms 139:14-16

“What? know ye not that __________________ is the ____________ of the ____________________ [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are ______ your ______? For ye are ____________ with a __________: therefore ______________ ______ in your ________, and in your ____________, which are God's.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“The living organism is God's property. It belongs to Him by creation and by redemption; and by a misuse of any of our powers we rob God of the honor due to Him. A failure to care for the living machinery is an insult to the Creator.” CD 16

3) What will God do to those who, by unhealthful habits, destroy the body temple He has given them? ________________________________________________

“Know ye not that ye are the __________________________, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man ____________ the temple of God, him shall God ______________; for the temple of God is ________, which [temple] ye are.”

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

4) What are the reasons the health reform message was given to us as a people, and how important is it?

“Whether therefore ye ______, or __________, or whatsoever ye do, do ______ to the _________________________.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye ___________________ ___________________a _________________________________, holy, ____________________ unto God, [which is] your _____________________

________________.” Romans 12:1

*Our bodies are the temple of God. We belong to Him by creation and redemption, and He has the authority and wisdom to tell us how to care for our bodies.

*Our purpose for this life is to bring glory to God and to serve Him.

*We are told to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God, not a sickly, dying one.

*God has warned us that whoever defiles their body temple, He will destroy.

*God requires of us obedience to the laws of health. Disobedience is sin.

*The health reform is a part of the three angel’s messages, and of our preparation for heaven.

“Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by His mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world.” CD 58

“All are being proved to see whether they will accept the principles of health reform or follow a course of self-indulgence. Let no one think that he can do as he pleases in the matter of diet.” CD 34

“There are conditions to be observed by all who would preserve health. All should learn what these conditions are. The Lord is not pleased with ignorance in regard to His laws, either natural or spiritual.” CD 121

“Ignorance is no excuse now for the transgression of law. The light shines clearly, and none need be ignorant, for the great God Himself is man's instructor…. If man will cherish the light that God in mercy gives him upon health reform, he may be sanctified through the truth, and fitted for immortality. But if he disregards that light, and lives in violation of natural law, he must pay the penalty.” CD 70

“It is a duty to know how to preserve the body in the very best condition of health, and it is a sacred duty to live up to the light which God has graciously given. If we close our eyes to the light for fear we shall see our wrongs, which we are unwilling to forsake, our sins are not lessened, but increased. If light is turned from in one case, it will be disregarded in another.” CD 44, 45

“It is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break the ten commandments.” CD 17

“ I was again shown that the health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. It is as closely connected with the third angel's message as the hand is with the body.” CD 69

“The work of health reform is the Lord's means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church.” CD 77

“There are but few as yet who are aroused sufficiently to understand how much their habits of diet have to do with their health, their characters, their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny.” CD 51, 52

“The diet has much to do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” CD 52

To those who are procrastinating obedience:

“You have stumbled at the health reform. It appears to you to be a needless appendix to the truth. It is not so; it is a part of the truth. Here is a work before you which will come closer and be more trying than anything which has yet been brought to bear upon you. While you hesitate and stand back, failing to lay hold upon the blessing which it is your privilege to receive, you suffer loss. You are stumbling over the very blessing which Heaven has placed in your path to make your progress less difficult.” 1T 546

“There seems to be in them (those who are indifferent and have scarcely taken the first step in reform) a heart of unbelief, and, as this reform restricts the lustful appetite, many shrink back. They have other gods before the Lord. Their taste, their appetite, is their god; and when… their sin (is) pointed out, their idols shown them, they do not wish to be convinced; and although God's voice should speak directly to them to put away those health-destroying indulgences, some would still cling to the hurtful things which they love. They seem joined to their idols, and God will soon say to His angels: Let them alone.” 1T 486

5) What “8 laws of health” has God given to us? Read the quote, then write the eight laws below:

1___________________________________ 2_________________________________

3___________________________________ 4_________________________________

5___________________________________ 6_________________________________

7___________________________________ 8_________________________________

“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power,--these are the true remedies.” CD 301

*Pure air - breathe deeply the fresh invigorating country air

*Sunlight - get outdoors every day and take in the sunshine

*Abstemiousness - avoid all harmful substances (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy foods, etc.), and use in moderation what is good

*Rest - get 7-8 hours of quality sleep in a dark room each night, and rest from the week’s labors as you worship God on Sabbath

*Exercise - get lots of good exercise regularly, enough to get your pulse and breathing rates up

*Proper diet - follow the guidelines from the book Counsels on Diets and Foods given in this section

*The use of water - drink 6-8 glasses of pure water each day, use hydrotherapy to treat sickness

*Trust in divine power - surrender your life fully to God, spend time with Him each day, and learn to trust in Him no matter what circumstances you face

In this lesson we will focus especially on the sixth law, “proper diet”, since this is in the majority of cases the most abused and neglected law, and its neglect is the greatest factor in the cause of disease.

6) What is the “proper diet” - what does it consist of? ____________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every _________________________________, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the ____________________________ yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

Genesis 1:29

“Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the __________________________________;” Genesis 3:18

“In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God's original plan for man's diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food…. Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet.” CD 81

“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.” LDE 81

7) What does the Bible say about those who do not wish to follow God’s chosen diet?

“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, __________________

______________________, and wear our own apparel: ___________________________

________________________________, to take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1

“__________________ do ye spend money for [that which is] _________________? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? ____________________________________ unto me, and _________________________________________________, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Isaiah 55:2

You may be thinking, “Vegetarian foods are too expensive and unavailable. I’d rather use the money in the Lord’s work.” But vegetarian foods need not be unaffordable or unavailable. Stick to the simpler, make-from-scratch foods for the most part, rather than the processed dairy substitutes or canned veggie-meats. Grow your own fruits and veggies whenever you can. When you do this, you’ll find that a vegetarian diet is actually far less expensive then a diet of meat, eggs, dairy products, and pre-prepared foods would be.

8) What lessons can we learn from the example of Daniel when he was taken captive to Babylon?

“But Daniel __________________________________________ that he would _____________________________________ 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…. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, __________ thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us ________________________, and _____________________________. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared ____________ and ____________ in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat…. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ______________________________ than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.” Daniel 1:8, 11-15, 19-20

“There are many among professed Christians today who… consider the matter of eating and drinking of too little consequence to require such a decided stand (as that taken by Daniel),--one involving the probable sacrifice of every earthly advantage. But those who reason thus will find in the day of judgment that they turned from God's express requirements, and set up their own opinion as a standard of right and wrong. They will find that what seemed to them unimportant was not so regarded of God. His requirements should be sacredly obeyed. Those who accept and obey one of His precepts because it is convenient to do so, while they reject another because its observance would require a sacrifice, lower the standard of right, and by their example lead others to lightly regard the holy law of God. "Thus saith the Lord" is to be our rule in all things. . . .” CD 30

“What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise with those heathen officers, and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That single instance of departure from principle would have weakened their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of appetite would have involved the sacrifice of physical vigor, clearness of intellect, and spiritual power. One wrong step would probably have led to others, until, their connection with heaven being severed, they would have been swept away by temptation.” CD 155

Don’t let the Devil tempt you to think that once-in-a-while disobedience to the laws of health is okay. God requires entire, all-the-time obedience. Our consistent obedience to principle will be a witness to those around us as well, of the better way that we have chosen to follow. Of course, we should always do this with utmost Christian kindness, recognizing that others may not yet understand these things as we do.

9) What are some principles for good digestion found in the Spirit of Prophecy?

a. Do not overeat - Overeating places unnecessary burden on the stomach, and requires the body to put its energy into digesting the excess food, leading to decreased physical, mental, and moral strength. (CD 131, 136)

b. Avoid drinking with your meals - The more liquid taken with meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest, because the liquid must be absorbed first. (CD 420)

c. Chew your food thoroughly - Your food will be of more benefit to you if you chew it slowly and thoroughly, allowing the saliva to mix with it and begin the process of digestion. (CD 107)

d. Eat your meals with a pleasant atmosphere and a cheerful heart - This will aid good digestion, while hurriedness, irritation, and anxiety lead to digestive problems. (CD 109)

e. Eat simple foods, and not too many varieties at once - We should prepare food simply, yet so that it is attractive and tasteful; and 3-4 dishes at one meal is plenty. (CD 109-111)

f. Avoid mixing fruits and vegetables together in the same meal - It is easier on the digestion to eat them separately. (CD 112)

g. Have regular times for eating, and never snack between meals - When regularity in eating is practiced, the stomach becomes accustomed to receiving food at certain times, and is able then to digest it properly. Eating at irregular times stresses and overtaxes the digestive organs, and leads to poor physical and mental health. At least five hours between meals will allow your stomach time to digest the food and to rest and prepare for the next meal. (CD 170, 180)

h. Eat 2-3 meals a day; make your first meal the best; if you eat supper, make it light and not too late - In the morning, your stomach is better able to handle a larger meal; and in the evening, eating lighter will enable your stomach to finish digestion and be prepared to rest when you go to bed. (CD 173, 176)

10) What should be our stand on articles of food such as tea, coffee, colas, chocolate, and highly refined “junk foods”? Read the quotes and comments below, then write your answer in your own words. _________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Good food makes good blood. So as we endeavor to eat what is best for us, we will avoid the empty-calorie foods, the high-sugar foods, and the highly processed and refined foods; choosing instead the simple, nutritious, minimally processed, high-fiber foods in their most natural state. We will also put away all substances such as tea, coffee, colas, and chocolate, which contain dangerous chemicals like caffeine and theobromine, having a drug-induced stimulating affect, and are harmful to our bodies which God created for His glory.

If you feel that you are too busy and need to depend on fast foods and “junk foods” for your meals, first have a look at your priorities. Weed out the extra activities and commitments that are not absolutely necessary. This should free up some time. Secondly, look for ways to save time like cooking something in a crock pot overnight, planning simpler menus, baking and then freezing an extra batch of bread, nut loaf, etc. when you have extra time (to reheat on a busy day), canning brown beans or vegetable soup for quick meals later, or doing more than one thing at a time (have sweet potatoes in the oven with the timer set while you do the ironing, etc.).

“Tea is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone. The influence of coffee is in a degree the same as tea, but the effect upon the system is still worse. Its influence is exciting, and just in the degree that it elevates above par, it will exhaust and bring prostration below par.” CD 421

“Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in food. Cakes, sweet puddings, pastries, jellies, jams, are active causes of indigestion…. Sugar clogs the system. It hinders the working of the living machine.” CD 327

11) Is meat an acceptable food for God’s people today? Read the quotes and comments below, then write your answer in your own words. _______________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the beginning, God intended man to live on fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables; but after the flood, when vegetation was scarce, God permitted His people to eat some meat (Genesis 9:3). However, only clean meats were allowed, and they were not to eat any blood or fat, or any meat from a sick animal (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). After flesh was added to the diet, the lifespan of man was greatly shortened. God pronounced a curse on those who persisted in eating meats which were forbidden (Isaiah 66:15, 17).

When God gave the health reform message to Ellen White for our church, He instructed us that the time has come when we are to give up eating meat entirely. Following are some quotations:

“Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural.” CD 380

“Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body? How can they take the life of God's creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them, rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning, and themselves practice, and teach their children to practice, mercy toward the dumb creatures that God has made and has placed under our dominion.” CD 380

“Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually (written in 1890) be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet.” CD 380

“Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people to walk no more with them.” CD 382

“It has been clearly presented to me that God's people are to take a firm stand against meat eating…. By the use of flesh meats the animal nature is strengthened and the spiritual nature weakened.” CD 383

“The moral evils of a flesh diet are not less marked than are the physical ills.” CD 383

“Oh, if every one could discern these matters as they have been presented to me, those who are now so careless, so indifferent in regard to their character building; those who plead for indulgence in a flesh meat diet, would never open their lips in justification of an appetite for the flesh of dead animals.” CD 384

“When will those who know the truth take their stand on the side of right principles for time and for eternity? When will they be true to the principles of health reform? When will they learn that it is dangerous to use flesh meat? I am instructed to say that if ever meat eating were safe, it is not safe now.” CD 384

“The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating.” CD 386

“Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating.”

CD 386

“Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth, and will lose their perception of what is truth.” CD 404

12) Will the redeemed in heaven eat meat? YES / NO

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not ________ nor ______________ in all my _________________________, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 65:25

13) What instruction are we given in the Spirit of Prophecy regarding eating dairy products and eggs? read the quotes and comments, and then write your answer in your own words. ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Regarding the question of dairy products and eggs, we have the counsel that some dairy products (such as cheese) are wholly unfit for food and should never enter the stomach. It seems that other highly-refined and high-sugar foods (such as ice cream, puddings, etc.) would fall into this same category. “Cheese should never be introduced into the stomach. Cheese is still more objectionable (than butter); it is wholly unfit for food.” CD 368

Yet we are counseled that milk, eggs, and butter are not to be classed with flesh meat, and that they were part of a nourishing, healthful diet. Warnings were given to avoid extremes and the counsel was that in some cases, the use of these articles of food were beneficial, if they could be obtained from animals that were healthy and well cared for. Sister White spoke of those whose physical appearance injured the cause of health reform, and who were weak and unable to work because they abstained from milk, eggs, and butter and failed to supply their system with proper nourishment in its place. She wrote that these foods were not to be forbidden especially for those who were too poor to afford a nutritious diet without them.

Ellen White’s stand on these things seemed to be to allow each person to decide for himself, between him and God, whether or not he would eat these articles of food.

However, at the same time, Ellen White spoke of the progressive nature of diet reform. She warned of the rapidly increasing disease among animals due to the wickedness of man, and wrote that because of this the time would soon come when it would no longer be safe to use milk and eggs as freely as they were used in her day, or simply that there would be no safety in using them. She told us that God would make it very clear to us when that time came.

She also gave the counsel even for her day that those in full flesh with strong animal passions, or children given to sensual habits should avoid dairy products, and eggs especially.

Following are two quotes to show a sampling of the counsel given:

“Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.” CD 356

“Those who live in new countries or in poverty-stricken districts where fruits and nuts are scarce, should not be urged to exclude milk and eggs from their dietary. It is true that persons in full flesh and in whom the animal passions are strong need to avoid the use of stimulating foods…. But in the case of persons whose blood-making organs are feeble,--especially if other foods to supply the needed elements cannot be obtained,-- milk and eggs should not be wholly discarded. (Eggs contain properties that are remedial agencies in counteracting certain poisons. CD 352). Great care should be taken, however, to obtain milk from healthy cows and eggs from healthy fowls, that are well fed and well cared for;… The diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals increases, the use of milk and eggs will become more and more unsafe. An effort should be made to supply their place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive. The people everywhere should be taught how to cook without milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food wholesome and palatable.” CD 365

In summary of the counsel we are given, we reach the following conclusions:

A) Cheese and other highly refined dairy products are never to be used.

B) Commercially raised eggs and dairy products should never be eaten as they are not safe. Animals in commercial farms are cramped into tight quarters, cruelly treated, stressed, diseased, pumped full of antibiotics and growth hormones, fed other animal products from diseased animals in their feed, and unnaturally bred and raised for maximum production.

C) Those who are in full flesh (overweight) or who have strong sensual habits or passions do not need to eat dairy products and eggs, and should avoid them.

D) Those who are thin or weakly or unable to afford nuts or olives and other healthy substitutes, may on an individual basis choose to raise their own chickens, cows, goats, or procure eggs and dairy products from animals which are healthy and well-raised.

14) Over what temptation did the first man and woman fall, and over what temptation did Jesus gain the victory in the wilderness? ______________________________________

“And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she ________ of the __________ thereof, and ______________, and _________ also unto her husband with her; and he ______________.” Genesis 3:6

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these _____________ be made ___________. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by ______________________, but by every ________ that proceedeth out of the ________________________.” Matthew 4:3-4

“Adam fell by the indulgence of appetite; Christ overcame by the denial of appetite. And our only hope of regaining Eden is through firm self-control. If the power of indulged appetite was so strong upon the race, that, in order to break its hold, the divine Son of God, in man's behalf, had to endure a fast of nearly six weeks, what a work is before the Christian! Yet, however great the struggle, he may overcome. By the help of that divine power which withstood the fiercest temptations that Satan could invent, he too may be entirely successful in his warfare with evil, and at last may wear the victor's crown in the kingdom of God.” CD 167

15) What can we learn about the importance of controlling our appetite, from the experience of the children of Israel?

“And the mixed multitude that [was] among them fell a ______________: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us _____________________

______? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul [is] dried away: [there is] ____________________________, beside this __________, [before] our eyes…. And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all [that] night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread [them] all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the __________ [was] yet _____________________________________, ere it was chewed, the __________________________________ was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great ____________. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they ____________ the people that ___________.” Numbers 11:4-6, 31-34

“Now these things were our ________________, to the intent ______________________ ______________ after ________ things, as they also ____________.” 1 Corinthians 10:6

16) What further counsel are we given in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy about the control of appetite?

“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: And

__________________________________________________, if thou [be] a man

___________________________________. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] ____________________________.” Proverbs 23:1-3

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the ______________ of the cross of Christ: Whose ______ [is] ______________________, whose _____________________________________, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19

“Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, ______________ from ___________________________, which _____________________________________;” 1 Peter 2:11

“And every man that striveth for the ______________ is __________________ 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 ________, and bring [it] into ____________________: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a ________________.”

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

“Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes __________________________________, for ________________, and not for ______________________!” Ecclesiastes 10:17

“Be not among winebibbers; among __________________________________________: For the drunkard and the ______________ shall come to ______________: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags. Proverbs 23:20-21

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us ______________ ourselves from all ____________________ of the __________ and ____________, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

“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.” CD 163

“Through appetite, Satan controls the mind and the whole being…. Those who do not overcome in little things, will have no moral power to withstand greater temptations.” CD 167, 168

“Who will enter in through the gates into the city?--Not those who declare that they cannot break the force of appetite.” CD 169

“The Spirit of God cannot come to our help, and assist us in perfecting Christian characters, while we are indulging our appetites to the injury of health…” CD 57

“Far better give up the name of Christian than make a profession and at the same time indulge appetites which strengthen unholy passions.” CD 34

“In order for the people of God to be in an acceptable state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies and spirits, which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny the gratification of their appetites, and exercise temperance in all things. Then may they comprehend the truth in its beauty and clearness, and carry it out in their lives…” CD 50

“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…. 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.” CD 62

17) What encouragement is given to those who step out in faith and obey? Briefly restate it in your own words: ______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“Persons who have accustomed themselves to a rich, highly stimulating diet, have an unnatural taste, and they cannot at once relish food that is plain and simple. It will take time for the taste to become natural, and for the stomach to recover from the abuse it has suffered. But those who persevere in the use of wholesome food will, after a time, find it palatable. Its delicate and delicious flavors will be appreciated, and it will be eaten with greater enjoyment than can be derived from unwholesome dainties. And the stomach, in a healthy condition, neither fevered nor overtaxed, can readily perform its task.” CD 84

In other words, even if healthy food is not tasty to you at first, your taste buds will adjust to it, and you will learn to enjoy the food that is good for you.

Some may say, “God doesn’t care what we eat. Diet has nothing to do with our salvation.” But God does very much care what we eat, for He knows that what we eat has a tremendous impact on both our physical and spiritual health. If we do not have healthy bodies, we cannot have clear minds to serve Him. God has shown us how important this subject is to Him by giving us so much counsel on it in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. And yes, our diet does have something to do with our salvation. In addition to the previously mentioned point that we can’t have clear minds while eating wrong foods, we also know that “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17, and no one who is clinging to sin will be able to enter the New Jerusalem. So if God has in His great love revealed to you the truth on this subject of health reform, He wants you now to make the right choice about what you’ll do with it.

Others will say, “I like the taste of it; I don’t care if it’s bad for me.” We would encourage you to do some real heart searching, and ask yourself, “Who is really Lord in my life - God or me? Am I truly surrendered to God and His will for me? Do I want, more than anything else, to do what is pleasing to Jesus, Who gave His life for me? Is Jesus number one to me?”

Still others will say, “I’m too old to change.” We say, no, you’re never too old to change. God’s grace is sufficient for everyone, young and old alike. When you make the right choices with your health, no matter what age you are, you will see improvements in your health (physically and spiritually), and you will also set a good example for your children and grandchildren after you, showing that God’s health plan can be lived and it is well worth it.

18) What stand do we take on the use of alcohol and tobacco? ______________________

________________________________________________________________________

“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the ________; they that go to seek mixed ________. ________________ thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. At the last it ____________ like a serpent, and ________________ like an adder.” Proverbs 23:29-32

“Wine [is] a ____________, strong drink [is] ____________: and whosoever is ________________ thereby is _________________.” Proverbs 20:1

“But they also have __________ through ________, and through _________________ __________ are ____________________________; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they ______ in ____________, they ______________ [in] ________________.” Isaiah 28:7

“And be not __________ with ________, wherein is excess; but be ____________ with the ____________;” Ephesians 5:18

“Know ye not that the ______________________ shall ______________________ the ______________ of ______? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor __________________, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall ____________, we shall ______________________; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this ________ in him ___________________________________, even as ____________________.”

1 John 3:2-3

“And there shall in no wise __________ into it __________________ that ________________, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Revelation 21:27 (we will not carry on defiling habits like the use of tobacco)

“ We do not take into the church those who use liquor or tobacco. We cannot admit such ones. But we can try to help them to overcome. We can tell them that by giving up these harmful practices, they will make their families and themselves happier. Those whose hearts are filled with the Spirit of God will feel no need for stimulants.” Te 166

“Men and women have many habits that are antagonistic to the principles of the Bible. The victims of strong drink and tobacco are corrupted, body, soul, and spirit. Such ones should not be received into the church until they give evidence that they are truly converted, that they feel the need of the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The truth of God will purify the true believer. He who is thoroughly converted will abandon every defiling habit and appetite. By total abstinence he will overcome his desire for health-destroying indulgences.” Te 166

19) What effect does the mind have on the health? _______________________________

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“A ______________________ doeth ________ [like] a ________________: but a __________________________ drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

“The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize…. Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination.” MH 251

“Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings--as much a duty as it is to pray.” MH 251

“One of the surest hindrances to the recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon themselves. Many invalids feel that everyone should give them sympathy and help, when what they need is to have their attention turned away from themselves, to think of and care for others.” MH 256

“Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here.” 1MCP 59

“But few realize the power that the mind has over the body. A great deal of the sickness which afflicts humanity has its origin in the mind and can only be cured by restoring the mind to health. There are very many more than we imagine who are sick mentally.” 2MCP 396

20) Why do we get sick? ___________________________________________________

“And said, If thou wilt ____________________________________ to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt ____ that which is ___________________________________, and wilt ________________ to his commandments, and ________ all his statutes, I will put ________ of these ________________ upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the ________ that ______________ thee.” Exodus 15:26

Generally speaking, “Disease never comes without a cause. The way is prepared, and disease invited, by disregard of the laws of health.” CD 122.

Some will say, “Diseases aren’t caused by diet. They’re caused by heredity.” This is a common belief, though it is largely false. It is true that some diseases are caused or at least predisposed to largely by heredity, yet the most common diseases people are suffering and dying with today (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity, etc.) are almost entirely caused by poor lifestyle habits. But you may be thinking, I’ve known a lot of people who brake the laws of health, and yet seem to be healthier and live longer than most health reformers I know. Again, we would answer, Our health depends largely upon how we care for our bodies (the food we eat, how much we exercise, etc.), but some other factors (such as genetics and heredity) do play into the picture as well. Because of this, we sometimes see people who eat all the wrong things, smoke, have a poor lifestyle, and abuse their health in other ways, yet who still seem to be strong, healthy, and energetic. Their bad choices will likely catch up with them later in life, but in some cases, they may seem not to. On the other hand, we sometimes see people who eat all the right things and live a very strict and healthy lifestyle, yet who seem to be far less than the ideal picture of health. Likely, these people who are living healthy have a weaker constitution, and were they not guarding their health so carefully, they would be in a far worse condition, or perhaps even have died. This is the unfairness of sin, that sometimes innocent people must have a harder struggle because of choices their parents, grandparents, or ancestors farther back made.

21) What means, besides following the eight laws of health carefully, does God give us for the cure of disease? List the two means given, below:

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a. God has given us natural remedies such as hydrotherapy (water treatments), the use of simple herbs, charcoal, clay, etc. to assist the body in its work of removing toxins and healing disease.

b. “Is any ________ among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them ________ over him, __________________ him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ______________ [your] faults one to another, and ________ one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:14-16

God has also given us the means of prayer, confession of sin, and anointing in cases of sickness. These we must use with a clear conscience (knowing that we are not still disregarding any of the laws of health), and a surrendered heart (willing to pray in faith that God knows best, and to accept His answer whether it is yes or no).

22) Does God approve of the use of drug medication in the treatment of disease, and what would He have us use in their stead? __________________________________________

“People need to be taught that drugs do not cure disease. It is true that they sometimes afford present relief, and the patient appears to recover as the result of their use; this is because nature has sufficient vital force to expel the poison and to correct the conditions that caused the disease. Health is recovered in spite of the drug…. Let physicians teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature. Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system. Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power--these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them…. The use of natural remedies requires an amount of care and effort that many are not willing to give. Nature's process of healing and upbuilding is gradual, and to the impatient it seems slow. The surrender of hurtful indulgences requires sacrifice. But in the end it will be found that nature, untrammeled, does her work wisely and well. Those who persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.” MH 126, 127

“Special instruction should be given in the art of treating the sick without the use of poisonous drugs and in harmony with the light that God has given. In the treatment of the sick, poisonous drugs need not be used.” 9T 175

“This is God's method. The herbs that grow for the benefit of man,… have served tenfold, yes, one hundred fold better purposes, than all the drugs hidden under mysterious names and dealt out to the sick.” PH144 12

“The drug science has been exalted, but if every bottle that comes from every such institution were done away with, there would be fewer invalids in the world today. Drug medication should never have been introduced into our institutions.” PH144 13

“Thousands who are afflicted might recover their health if, instead of depending upon the drugstore for their life, they would discard all drugs and live simply,… MM 229

“We are not excusable if, through ignorance, we destroy God's building by taking into the stomach poisonous drugs under a variety of names we do not understand. It is our duty to refuse all such prescriptions.” HL 246

It would be well to offer the caution here that there may be some emergency cases where drugs are used to save a life, and when a person’s condition has stabilized, they work to get off of the drug and onto more natural treatments. We do not condemn this, but leave it up to each person to decide while bearing in mind the counsel we are given on the dangers of drugs, and the importance of knowing what substances we are taking into our body. Also, for those who are currently using medicinal drugs and wish to stop taking them, it would be well to seek the advice of someone knowledgeable in this area, since many drugs are powerful, and must be gotten off of with care.

23) What encouragement does God give to those who are sick?

a. While your sickness may not be a pleasure, it may be a blessing if it draws you closer to Christ.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a _____________________________________, the messenger of Satan ________________________, lest I should be ______________ above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, ______________________________________________________________: for my ________________ is made ______________ in ________________. Most ____________ therefore will I rather __________ in my ______________________, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am ________, then am I ____________.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

b. God is able to heal you if He so chooses, if you cooperate with Him, and if it’s for His glory and your eternal good.

“Bless the ________, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who ______________ all thy ________________;” Psalms 103:2-3

24) We have studied in this lesson an area which is for many people one of the hardest areas to gain the victory in. Appetite is a strong master, and we each must learn to overcome it through the power of God, as Jesus did during His temptation in the wilderness. We must cultivate firm self-control, and live by principle instead of by taste and feeling. Has God been convicting you of any ways you have been living in disregard of the laws of health, and are you willing to step out in faith and put away any wrong habits, foods, etc. which you have been indulging in, and from this day forward care for the body temple God has lent to you in a way that will bring glory to Him? Write your commitment below.________________________________________________________

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Next Study:

14) Christian Dress #1