Spiritual health

1. Sacredness
of Health
BY EG WHITE

2. Titus 2: 11 – 14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has
appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “no” to
ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-
controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope –the glorious
appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are
his very own, eager to do what is good.

3. I. Introduction
We are living today is a very permissive society. A
society whose men and women are almost free to do
what they want; a society intoxicated with technology
and addicted to a lifestyle of personal depravity. A
society engrossed with unhealthy lifestyle attract
millions even Christians.

4. II. Temperance Description and Theological
Applications
1. How does EG White describe temperance? “It teaches us
to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use
judiciously that which is healthful.” PP 562
2. The word temperance is an old English word used to
indicate abstinence and moderation. The word’s basic root
meaning, refers to an act of separation. Latin root word is
tempus, meaning time, relates to a separation of the past and
the future. The word temple, also based on the root tempus,
gives the idea of the place of separation.

5. II. Temperance Description and Theological
Applications
3. Temperance then, is exercising self-control and separating
ourselves from evil, which is possible only through Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit. This experience is assured
to those who become partakers of divine nature.
4. Intemperance, on the other hand, is the loss of self-control
and joining with evil. (Qtly lesson Oct.-Dec. 2000, p 42).
God's plan demonstrated in the life of Christ was to restore
temperance to meet the weakness of man.

6. III. Temperance as Revealed to the Children of
Israel
1. Temperance, as given by the Spirit, is a restoration of moral power to
resist or overcome false cravings and desires that war against the soul,
bringing impairment and destruction alike to physical, mental, social,
and spiritual life.
2. “By enticing us with many acts of intemperance, Satan seeks to
destroy our mental, moral, and physical powers. He used many
temptations to entrap Jesus but failed every time because Jesus relied
fully on His Father’s strength.
3. Tragically, the rest of humanity had been all too responsive to evil.”
(SS qtly 2000 p41

7. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
1.For forty years the Lord endeavored to teach the children of Israel
temperance (self-control through dependence on God) when He said:
"Ye have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong
drink: that ye might know that I Am the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 29:6.
Moses summarized it for them: "He is thy life, and the length of
thy days." Deuteronomy 30:20. Only as God's people drank of
the spiritual Rock could they live in the wilderness.

8. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
1.For forty years the Lord endeavored to teach the children of Israel
temperance (self-control through dependence on God) when He said:
"Ye have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong
drink: that ye might know that I Am the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 29:6.
Moses summarized it for them: "He is thy life, and the length of
thy days." Deuteronomy 30:20. Only as God's people drank of
the spiritual Rock could they live in the wilderness.

9. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
2. The prophet Isaiah pronounced woes against Israel for following
counterfeit concepts. Clearly the people were intemperate and had lost
control. Look at the following points in Isaiah chapter 5:
• God did all He could for Israel to make them solely His. Verses 3 to 7.
• Israel built cities like the heathen (house to house). Verses 8 to 10.
• They became intemperate, with drunkenness early and late. Verses 11 to 15.
• They called evil good and good evil (making no difference between good and evil). Verses 19
and 20.
• They became intelligent in their own eyes; controlled or prudent in their own sight. Verse 21.
• They not only mingled good and evil, but all kinds of drink, claiming marvelous rewards or
experiences. All this took away righteousness. Verses 22 and 23.
• The judgments of God are declared certain. Verses 24 to 30.

10. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
3. The book of Malachi is almost a repetition of the message
of Isaiah 5. God has not left mankind to his devices; Malachi
shows the loss of control is not hopeless. There is a true way
for restoration.

11. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
3. The book of Malachi is almost a repetition of the message
of Isaiah 5. God has not left mankind to his devices; Malachi
shows the loss of control is not hopeless. There is a true way
for restoration.
4. Luke records that Jesus proclaimed His ministry as "to
preach deliverance to the captives, and… set at liberty them
that are bruised." Luke 4:18.

12. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
5. Paul refers to their failures as a warning for us:
"Not to crave after evil things as they did. Nor are
you to worship false gods as they did." 1 Cor.10:6,
7, Phillips.

13. Lessons from Israel’s Experience
6. Before his conversion, Peter often demonstrated lack of control. He
declared that the 3 secret of victory is only in Christ. He said: "He has by His
own action given us everything that is necessary for living the truly good life,
in allowing us to know the one who has called us to Him, through His own
glorious goodness. It is through this generosity that God's greatest and most
precious promises have become available to us men, making it possible for
you to escape the inevitable disintegration that lust produces in the world
and to share in God's essential nature. For this very reason you must do your
utmost from your side, and see that your faith carries with it real goodness
of life. Your goodness must be accompanied by knowledge, your knowledge
by self-control, your self-control by the ability to endure." 2 Peter 1:3-5,
Phillips.

14. IV. Temperance the Way of Life
1. “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

15. IV. Temperance the Way of Life
2. The essential truth is that Jesus paved the way for man to
have self-control. He is the one who has absolute control,
dominion, guidance, sanctity, mastery, and holiness. For
only dependence upon God could bring again that which
was lost (see Exodus 6:7; 15:26; Deuteronomy 4:23, 23;
13:1-5).

16. IV. Temperance the Way of Life
3. Scriptures appeal for man's cooperation in this return to self-control.
Man has been warned and counseled as to what decision he can make
to cooperate with God:
"Do not, then, allow sin to establish any power over your mortal
bodies in making you give way to its lusts." Romans 6:12,
Philips.

17. IV. Temperance the Way of Life
4. Christ being conqueror in our behalf is our example.
In the wilderness, Christ gained the victory over
appetite where man failed (see Genesis 3:6; Matthew
4:4).

18. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
1. Temperance is to life, health, and character as mortar is to a brick
building. Without temperance, one can neither build nor maintain
health. “But true temperance is more than avoidance. It teaches us to
dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that
which is healthful.” PP 562
“By practicing temperance in eating, in drinking, in dressing, in labor, and in all things, we can do for
ourselves what no physician can do for us” CG 397
“If we could realize that the habits we form in this life will affect our eternal interests, that our eternal
destiny depends upon strictly temperate habits, we would work to the point of strict temperance in
eating and drinking.” CH 126

19. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
1. Temperance is to life, health, and character as mortar is to a brick
building. Without temperance, one can neither build nor maintain
health. “But true temperance is more than avoidance. It teaches us to
dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that
which is healthful.” PP 562
“By practicing temperance in eating, in drinking, in dressing, in labor, and in all things, we can do for
ourselves what no physician can do for us” CG 397
“If we could realize that the habits we form in this life will affect our eternal interests, that our eternal
destiny depends upon strictly temperate habits, we would work to the point of strict temperance in
eating and drinking.” CH 126

20. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
“By practicing temperance in eating, in drinking, in dressing, in labor, and in all things, we can do for
ourselves what no physician can do for us” CG 397
“If we could realize that the habits we form in this life will affect our eternal interests, that our eternal
destiny depends upon strictly temperate habits, we would work to the point of strict temperance in
eating and drinking.” CH 126

21. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
2. Essential Elements to Living Temperate Lifestyle
a. Temperance is God requirement: “God requires of us temperance in all
things” 2T69
b. Temperance For our restoration: “Temperance in all things has more to do
with our restoration to Eden than men realize” MH 129
c. Temperance a Foundation of all graces: “.... that temperance alone is the
foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all
victories to be gained” Temp. 201

22. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
2. Essential Elements to Living Temperate Lifestyle
d. Temperance Essential to Sanctification Sanctification -- meaning to be set apart for a
holy use -- is vitally connected to temperance or self-control. It is a call for separation
between good and evil. When we are entirely dependent on God, He may work in and
through us to do His will and bring glory to His creation.
“.... by exercising temperance in daily life, they may be sanctified through the truth. “CH
121 “Temperance precedes sanctification” CG 396
“God requires that His people shall be temperate in all things. Unless they practice
temperance, they will not, cannot, be sanctified through the truth. Their very thoughts and
minds become depraved. “ CM 132

23. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
2. Essential Elements to Living Temperate Lifestyle
e. Temperance before Patience “It is impossible for an
intemperate man to be a patient man. First temperance, then
patience.” 2 T 95
f. Temperance for Leadership Example “All who occupied position
of sacred responsibility were to be men of strict temperance, that
their minds might be clear to discriminate between right and
wrong, that they might possess firmness of principle, and wisdom
to administer justice and to show mercy.” MH 362

24. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
2. Essential Elements to Living Temperate Lifestyle
g. Temperance In Every line of Work: “We should practice temperance
in our labor. It is not our duty to place ourselves where we shall be
overworked...If we honor the Lord by acting our part He will do his part
to preserve our health...

25. V. Temperance is to our Physical and Spiritual Life
2. Essential Elements to Living Temperate Lifestyle
“Those who make great exertions to accomplish just so much work
in a given 5 time, and continue to labor when their judgment tells
them they should rest, are never gainers. They are living on borrowed
capital. They are expending the vital force which they will need at a
future time. And when the energy they have so recklessly used is
demanded… they fail for want of it. The physical strength is gone,
the mental powers fail. They have realized that they have met with a
loss, but do not know what it is. The time of need has come, but
their physical resource is exhausted.” CG 397

26. VI. Moral Paralysis in Society: A Challenge to the church
1. Moral Paralysis in Society
“There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our laws sustain
an evil which is sapping their very foundations. Many deplore the
wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves free from all
responsibilities in the matter. This cannot be. Every individual exerts an
influence in society. In our favored land, every voter has some voice in
determining what laws shall control the nation. Should that influence
and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue?

27. VI. Moral Paralysis in Society: A Challenge to the church
1. Moral Paralysis in Society
We talk of the results, tremble at the results, and wonder what we can
do with the terrible results, while too often we tolerate and even
sanction the cause. The advocates of temperance fail to do their duty
unless they exert their influence by precept and example - by voice and
pen and vote- in favor of prohibition and total abstinence. We need not
expect that God will work a miracle to bring about this reform, and
thus remove the necessity for our exertion. We ourselves must grapple
with this giant foe, our motto, No compromise and no cessation of our
efforts till the victory is gained...GW 387, 388

28. VI. Moral Paralysis in Society: A Challenge to the church
2. Temperance Combined with Sunday Movement
“The temperance work, one of the most prominent and
important of moral reforms, is often combined with the
Sunday movement, and the advocates of the latter represent
themselves as laboring to promote the highest interest of
society; and those who refuse to unite with them are
denounced as the enemies of temperance and reform.” GC
587.

29. VI. Moral Paralysis in Society: A Challenge to the church
2. Temperance Combined with Sunday Movement
It becomes apparent that the Sunday Law will not come as some separate action,
but it will be a part of the package of great moral temperance reform emerging in
the horizon. This counter revival, appearing to be based as the genuine Biblical
principles will be hailed as the genuine.
What then is to be the position of church leaders and members? It means
throwing the energies of the entire church into a spiritual awakening – into a
commitment of body, mind, and spirit with a message to the world of practical
Godliness, and declaring that our God is able to give power to resist temptation
and to overcome. – the Winds of Change, Ernest Steed pp15-17

30. VII. What Can be Done?
1. Appetite be Cleansed
“Let the appetite for intoxication liquors be removed, and their use and sale is at an
end. This work must to a great degree devolve upon parents. Let them, by observing
strict temperance themselves, give the right stamp of character to their children,
and then educate and train these children, in the fear of God, to habits of self-denial
and self-control. Youth who have been thus trained will have moral stamina to resist
temptation, and to control appetite and passion. They will stand unmoved by the
folly and dissipation that are corrupting society… The prosperity of a nation is
dependent upon the virtue and intelligence of its citizens. To secure these blessings,
habits of strict temperance are indispensable.” GW 388

31. VII. What Can be Done?
2. Moral Sensibilities of Christian be Aroused
“If the moral sensibilities of Christians were aroused upon the subject of
temperance in all things, they could, by their example, commencing at their
tables, help those who are weak in self-control, who almost powerless to resist
the cravings of appetite... By our example and personal effort we may be the
means of saving many souls from the degradation of intemperance, crime, and
death. Our sisters can do much in the great work for the salvation of others by
spreading their tables with only healthful food.” CH 126 The Lord warned against
a religion with only a pretense of righteousness that does not change the life.
Temperance or self-control through Christ is the foundation of spiritual virtues.
Galatians 5:22, 23.

32. VII. What Can be Done?
3. Human Nature Surrendered to Christ
“When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of
the new heart . . . It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural
elements into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His
own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no
authority shall be known in it but His own.... But unless we do yield
ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked
one.... We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part
company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the
surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome”
DA 324

33. VIII. The Purpose of Temperance: (Review from last Sabbath)
1. To sanctify and to cleanse (see Ephesians 5:26) .
2. To have the power of His might and be clothed in the
whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10, 11);
3. To magnify Christ in the body (see Philippians 1:20);
4. To have freedom from depravity (see 2 Peter 2:19),
5. To be a "vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for
the master's use, and be prepared unto every good
work." 2 Timothy 2:21, 22.*

34. IX. Conclusion:
Paul’s counsel therefore: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1-5.* The Spirit of God is a purifying agent in the
life that brings self-control. This conquering moral power is now available to you
and me: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27. The choice is ours to
have this experience, but the power is of God. This surely gives us great
confidence to choose the way of purity and holiness, and to know that we can…
"find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16. One of my favorite songs has
these lyrics: “I desired that my life shall be ordered by Thee. That my life will be in
perfect accord; With Thine own sov’reign will. Thy desire to fulfill, My wonderful,
wonderful Lord.” I pray that this will be our desire: “My life shall be ordered by
Three”