“Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the Author of physical laws as He is the Author of the moral law. His law (Luke 10:25-28) is written with His Own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, every faculty, which has been entrusted to man . . .”
“And every man that striveth for the mastery, is temperate (exercises self-control in both diet and chastity) in all things . . . Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown (one that perishes), but we an incorruptible . . . !”
I Corinthians 9:24-27
In the preparation of a people for the Lord’s second coming, a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation (teaching and instruction) of health principles.
The people are to be instructed in regard to the needs of the physical organism and the value of healthful living as taught in the Scriptures, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to Him a living sacrifice, fitted to render Him acceptable service . . .
There is a great work to be done for suffering humanity in relieving their sufferings by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided, and in teaching them how to prevent sickness by the regulation of the appetites and passions (carnal, fleshly desires). The people should be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. They should be taught the Truth in physical as well as in spiritual lines, that “the fear of the Lord tendeth to life.” Proverbs 19:23.
“If thou wilt enter into Life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Live out My law “as the apple of thine eye.” God’s commandments, obeyed, are “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:22.
– Counsels on Health, p.206
“Health is a blessing of which few appreciate the value; yet upon it the efficiency of our mental and physical powers largely depends. Our impulses and passions have their seat in the body, and it must be kept in the best condition physically and under the most spiritual influences in order that our talents may be put to the highest use.
Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing the good and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right.
The misuse of our physical powers shortens the period of time in which our lives can be used for the glory of God. And it unfits us to accomplish the work God has given us to do. By allowing ourselves to form wrong habits, by keeping late hours, by gratifying appetite at the expense of health, we lay the foundation for feebleness.
By neglecting physical exercise, by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives and unfit themselves for service by disregarding nature’s laws, are guilty of robbery toward God.
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master . . . If I then be a Father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a Master, where is My fear (reverence)? saith the LORD of hosts unto you . . . O priests (I Peter 2:5-9), that despise My name.
Yet ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?
Thus saith the LORD . . . Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee? in that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is this not evil?
And if ye offer the lame and the sick, is it not evil?
Offer it now to thy governor, and see if he will be well pleased with thee, or if he will accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts . . .” Malachi 1:6-8
And they are robbing their fellow men also. The opportunity of blessing others, the very work for which God sent them into the world, has by their own course of action been cut short. And they have unfitted themselves to do even that which in a briefer period of time they might have accomplished. The Lord holds us guilty when by our injurious habits we thus deprive the world of good.
Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the Author of physical laws as He is the Author of the moral law. His law is written with His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, every faculty, which has been entrusted to man. And every misuse of any part of our organism is a violation of that law.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God . . . that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice (through denial of selfish desires), holy . . . Be ye holy, for I Am holy ! . . . acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service !”
Romans 12:1-2, ref: I Peter 1:16 and Leviticus 20:7
All should have an intelligent knowledge of the human frame that they may keep their bodies in the condition necessary to do the work of the Lord. The physical life is to be carefully preserved and developed that through humanity the divine nature may be revealed in its fullness.
The relation of the physical organism to the spiritual life is one of the most important branches of education. It should receive careful attention in the home and in the school. All need to become acquainted with their physical structure and the laws that control natural life. He who remains in willing ignorance of the laws of his physical being and who violates them through ignorance is sinning against God. All should place themselves in the best possible relation to life and health. Our habits should be brought under the control of a mind that is itself under the control of God.
“Know ye not,” says the apostle Paul, “that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit (mind), which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19, 20.
– Christ Object Lessons, p.348