Health

Restoring the Temple – Temperance: A New Look At Self-Control

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What exactly is temperance?

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as moderation or self-restraint, especially in relation to eating and drinking but also in advocating abstinence. Temperance covers virtually every aspect of human life, relating to moderation in necessary functions such as eating and our interactions with others, and in abstinence in areas like smoking, alcohol and drug use. Ellen White likens temperance to athletic training:

“The runners put aside every indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers, and by severe and continuous discipline trained their muscles to strength and endurance, that when the day of the contest should arrive, they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers. How much more important that the Christian, whose eternal interests are at stake, bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of God!” Acts of the Apostles, 311.

We know from the Word that temperance is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit: “…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. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galations 5:22–26.

Temperance is a word more commonly used a century ago, and it and its concept have become unfashionable today. Pop psychology, media, and entertainment have encouraged people to give in to their impulses and whims with the justification that self-restraint might lead to emotional distress and damage. For example, the idea is suggested that anger must be released or else it will be suppressed which is destructive to self. No hint is given regarding other options, such as to exercising self-control, letting the anger dissolve, and creating a character that is not quick to anger. Let’s examine other areas where temperance should be employed.

It does not take a genius to know that food is required for life, yet many people go way beyond the need for nutrients and a satisfied appetite. More than 50 percent of Americans are overweight, men more than women, according to reported height and weight.1 Excess weight is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant and is the most widespread drug abuse problem in the United States.2 Besides causing severe and often fatal health problems, including liver disease and cancer, it is a leading precipitating factor in domestic and non-domestic violence and in traffic fatalities. There is no safe alcohol level when operating a vehicle or other machinery.3 Chronic alcohol use or periodic binge drinking also causes central nervous system damage, impotence, malnutrition, and memory loss. In 1997, 39 percent of all United States traffic fatalities were related to alcohol, and each year there are over 120 million episodes of impaired driving.4 , 5 Alcohol–related accidents cost $45 billion in the United States in 1994 alone.6

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers tobacco use “the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.” 7 It is estimated that cigarette smoking is responsible for one of every five deaths in the United States.8 Nicotine is the addictive, poisonous drug in cigarettes, cigars, pipe and chewing tobaccos and is known to be a contributing factor in causing cancer, lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, among many other health problems. Cigarettes contain 4,000 other chemicals that also interfere with health,9 and tobacco is usually the first drug used by young people who use alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.10

Other drugs from which people need to abstain include marijuana, steroids and depressants (such as Valium and Quaaludes), stimulants (such as cocaine and amphetamines), hallucinogens (like LSD and PCP), and narcotics (including heroin and morphine). All are highly addictive and cause a wide range of health and social problems ranging from heart disease, impotence, mental illness and stroke, to inability to cope with activities of daily living and responsibilities to self and family. Certain drugs, such as narcotics and steroids, may be prescribed by doctors for short-term treatment of certain disorders, but they cause harm when misused.

Those who continue to indulge in their baser appetites will receive the consequences, and it is presumptuous for them to call on God for healing when they are not willing to change. “Those who will gratify their appetite, and then suffer because of their intemperance, and take drugs to relieve them, may be assured that God will not interpose to save health and life which are so recklessly periled. The cause has produced the effect. Many, as their last resort, follow the directions in the Word of God, and request the prayers of the elders of the church for their restoration to health. God does not see fit to answer prayers offered in behalf of such, for He knows that if they should be restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon the altar of unhealthy appetite.” Medical Ministry, 14.

Whatever the vice, whether using drugs, anger, or overeating, people do not exercise self-restraint for many reasons. Reasons may include the desire to escape reality by having a few moments of perceived pleasure that they believe will help them relax, reduce depression and stress. Others engage in self-destructive behavior to forget about physical or emotional traumas and numb feelings of guilt, shame, or loneliness. These are false hopes, for intemperance not only is a pseudo-solution but in turn causes its own, often catastrophic, effects. Only in God is there found true escape from the stresses and nightmares of life.

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4

  1. Overweight Among Adults, Chronic Diseases and Their Risk Factors, CDC Report 1999.
  2. Substance Abuse, Andrea S. King, Reviewed by Mickey Ask, MD, American Medical Association, 1999.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Traffic Safety Facts 1997: Alcohol, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Washington, DC, 1998.
  5. Liu S, et al, JAMA 1997, 277:122-5.
  6. The Economic Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes: 1994, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Washington, DC, 1996 July.
  7. Cigarette Smoking Among Adults, Chronic Diseases and Their Risk Factors, CDC Report, 1999.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Substance Abuse, Ibid.
  10. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People, Surgeon General’s Report, February 24, 1994.

Restoring the Temple – Air, Breath of Life

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Is there anything like going out to the countryside and inhaling a lung-full of fresh clean air? You can feel the oxygen coursing through your blood and invigorating your body and mind. Breathing is something we take for granted, but we cannot go for long without oxygen. In 1976, French diver Jacques Mayol made the free diving record of 325 feet (99 meters), holding his breath for 3 minutes, 39 seconds. This was done only after years of training and is by far the exception of the limit of the human body, rather than the rule. Most people lose consciousness after only one or two minutes without oxygen and will die a few minutes later.

Every cell in your body requires a continuous supply of oxygen. Your respiratory and cardiovascular systems work in tandem to provide each cell with oxygen and eliminate excess carbon dioxide. The body was perfectly designed to perform this function, and failure by either system causes death. Through the normal process of quiet breathing we inhale about 500 ml (half a quart) of air. When we deep breathe, we can increase this amount by about 3100 ml (3+ quarts).1

Yet the air we breathe often contains far more than the elements we require for life. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late eighteenth century, changed our air forever and not in a positive way. Not until the late twentieth century did governments start to regulate air pollution, which has helped reduce toxins in our atmosphere, but so far it has not been enough. In 1990, United States industry alone emitted more than 2.4 billion pounds of toxic pollutants into the air.2 What does this mean to our health? Fifty-thousand to one-hundred twenty thousand premature deaths in the United States have been related to exposure to air pollutants.3 Air pollution is not limited to the out-of-doors but also occurs indoors with exposure to paint fumes, housecleaning solvents, fumes from carpeting, etc.

What can you do to limit your exposure to pollutants and get as much life-giving pure air as possible? One major change that is highly encouraged is a move to the country, where air is often significantly cleaner and less saturated with toxins than city air. Where moving is not a possibility, individuals and families should retreat to the country as often as they can.

“Let several families living in a city or village unite and leave the occupations which have taxed them physically and mentally, and make an excursion into the country, to the side of a fine lake, or to a nice grove where the scenery of nature is beautiful. They should provide themselves with plain, hygienic food, the very best fruits and grains, and spread their table under the shade of some tree or under the canopy of heaven. The ride, the exercise, and the scenery will quicken the appetite, and they can enjoy a repast which kings might envy.” 4

Also important for air health is making sure you reduce the amount of chemicals used in your home and workshop and maintain adequate ventilation whenever chemicals are used. Open your home to the outside air whenever possible, especially in the bedroom when you sleep. Invest in a high-quality air purifier, and if the air is dry in your area, a humidifier would also be recommended.

Practice breathing exercises. In a relaxing environment, preferably in fresh outside air, take several breaths, inhaling as deeply as possible. Hold for a few seconds then slowly release. Think about your posture. Breathing power should come from your diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Poor posture contributes to less effective muscle contractions and the lungs cannot reach their optimum capacity.

Ever since the moment God breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils, we have been dependent upon this substance. Oxygen-infused air is the most important element that sustains us. Medical workers are trained to observe the ABCs of rescue, which prioritize the steps of resuscitation. A for airway—make sure the individual has a clear passage with which to breathe. B for breathing—check their breathing and if absent start breathing for them. C for circulation—make sure their heart is beating, and if not, start compressions. As you can see, breathing is the number one priority in saving one’s life. Without this one thing, we will die quickly. Even the beatings of the heart cannot be sustained without near constant oxygen supply. This is an allegory to our spiritual life. As God breathed in Adam’s nostrils, which combined with the dust of the earth to become man’s soul, our relationship with our Creator became our highest priority for the sustenance of eternal life.

“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” Job 33:4.

  1. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Gerard J. Tortora and Nicholas P. Anagnostakos, Harper and Row, New York, 1990, 707.
  2. Air Pollution and Respiratory Health, CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, 1999.
  3. Ibid.
  4. The Adventist Home, E.G. White, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1952, 501.

Restoring the Temple – Rest

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Rest was the first command that God, in His eternal wisdom, gave to us. Do not be confused between rest and idleness. Many do not rest because of guilt that they are somehow being idle. If this describes you, I would suggest doing a study on rest and discovering how it differs from laziness. Ellen White states:

“Those who make great exertions to accomplish just so much work in a given 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 realize that they have met with a loss, but do not know what it is. Their time of need has come, but their physical resources are exhausted. Everyone who violates the laws of health must sometime be a sufferer to a greater or less degree. God has provided us with constitutional force, which will be needed at different periods of our life. If we recklessly exhaust this force by continual overtaxation, we shall sometime be losers. Our usefulness will be lessened, if not our life itself destroyed.” Counsels on Health, 99.

On the other hand, others would be more than happy to rest, but they complain of being too busy. Rest is one of the natural remedies that requires no effort, that is, apart from finding time for it.

The modern world strives to make laborsaving devices, to provide recreation and entertainment, and to increase speed and efficiency at home and work. So why are we not rested? Why are we weary and stressed? Back in the eras we consider primitive, people had no such resources. Folks worked very hard, and when the light of day waned, they went to bed. Today the activities often start before the sky brightens and continues long after the last ray has disappeared.

Our minds and bodies operate on a fairly constant 24-hour rhythm called the circadian rhythm, with alternating periods of arousal and sleep. Much is known regarding sleep cycles and the factors, including natural body chemistry, that regulate sleep. We know that sleep is necessary, but we still do not know exactly why. Yes, it allows the body time and quiet to repair itself, but there is much more to it than that. Humans and animals with more complex brains, like cats, sleep more than small animals with smaller cortexes.1 Dreams occur during REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, and during REM a person goes into complete muscle relaxation which may lead to increased restoration of muscle tissues.2 Blood flow and temperature of the brain increase during the REM cycle of sleep.

Sleep deprivation causes memory loss, emotional instability, and affects one’s analytical abilities, perception, motivation and motor control. Lack of sleep also impairs our immune systems and our ability to learn, as well as our creativity and productivity.3

Resting is also important. Your normal waking, thinking wave is the beta wave that looks short and spiky. During rest, when a person lies still, closes their eyes, and stills their mind, EEG (electroencephalogram) testing indicates that their brains go into an alpha wave pattern. Alpha waves are flowing and synchronous.4 Rest appears to invigorate the body and make the brain more able to function optimally.

What are some ways you can get better sleep? No late suppers, for one thing. Since our metabolisms slow at night, food tends to digest very slowly, and one gets the sensation of food “just sitting there,” which is exactly what it is doing. The body must send blood to the stomach to facilitate digestion, pulling blood away from the brain which vitally needs it for sleep processing. The evening meal should be light and eaten several hours before bedtime.

Try to get eight hours of sleep each night and exercise regularly. Avoid the use of drugs and alcohol, because although they can sometimes make you drowsy, they actually reduce or eliminate important REM sleep. Keep your bedroom dark and free from stimuli—absolutely no television watching in bed! Practice breathing deeply and taper to smooth regular respirations. Eliminate caffeine from your diet and keep to a regular bedtime. Exposing yourself to sunlight will help keep your circadian rhythm on track.

Many of us are not getting enough sleep, even though it is as necessary to health as is nutrition and water. Many disorders, both physical and mental, can be attributed to sleep deprivation. Even with all our technology and laborsaving devices, all we have accomplished is making more time available for even more activities. We must relearn to give our bodies and minds the rest needed for healing.

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29.

  1. Everyday Science Explained, Curt Suplee, National Geographic Society, 1996, 264
  2. Simple Remedies for the Home, Clarence W. Dail, MD and Charles S. Thomas, PhD, MMI Press, Harrisville, New Hampshire, 1985, 80
  3. The Promise of Sleep, William C. Dement, MD, PhD, and Christopher Vaughn, Dell Publishing, New York, 1999
  4. Biology, Neil A. Campbell, PhD, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Redwood City, California, 1990, 1003

Restoring the Temple – Divine Power Created Us

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If you believe that Divine Power created us, then you can and must believe that that same power can make us whole. If God made the earth, the seas, the stars, and each intricate particle of living creatures, then how much more simple for Him to cure illness, if He wills it.

Not until recently have there been any formal studies on the power of divine intervention. These studies themselves should not be used as a basis for faith, but they provide interesting anecdotal evidence. One study showed that prayer reduced the amount of complications of coronary patients.1 Other studies have revealed that individuals who attend church have better medical outcomes. Those who believe in God and pray during their illness fare better, in addition to reducing their stress.2 Prayer has been shown to affect self-esteem, anxiety and depression.3 These results are not surprising to those who have developed a relationship with Jesus and have seen their own prayers answered time and time again.

Certainly, any study is by definition limited, for how can one pretend to qualify and quantify God’s power? The fact that man feels he must do studies in order to prove or disprove God’s power says a lot about the condition of the modern human mind. Faith is rendered powerless in the scientific model. The Taber’s Medical Dictionary describes the scientific approach as the “observation, measurement of entities that can be quantitated, the accumulation of data, and analysis of finding.” True, most of us use this approach regularly, for it is essentially how we all learn, even as infants. But faith is not quantifiable. Spiritual things do not fit the scientific approach. It is the nature of fallen man to want to find a solid explanation for everything and to avoid divine trust and faith. “The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.” Conflict and Courage, 177.

Religion and medicine used to be intrinsically linked, but during the Renaissance Era we began to make large strides in scientific discovery. This led to a change in how people viewed the world. This change, beginning much, much earlier, did not become prevalent until the advent of the printing press made knowledge more available to the common person. Before, most people believed in God; after, they became enamored with their own powers of reasoning and began to seek out ways to deny God. If God maintains our every breath, who better to seek for help when the body fails? Better yet, seek Him before it fails.

Faith, however, does not supplant our own ability to care for ourselves and others.

“Those who seek healing by prayer should not neglect to make use of the remedial agencies within their reach. It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration.…God has put in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. This knowledge has been placed within our reach for use. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, we can work with all the more energy, thanking God that we have the privilege of co-operating with Him and asking His blessing on the means which He Himself has provided.”4

God has given us the faculties for caring for ourselves, but without faith that He will do the best for us—even if we do not always understand His methods—we miss out on the power of His grace, which is the ultimate cure.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2.

Restoring the Temple – Cold and Flu Care

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Cool weather makes us think of family gatherings, bundling up the children for school, and playing in the snow. Unfortunately, something else comes to mind: flu season. Many of my patients have asked me, “Is there something going around?” I tell them there is always something going around. It is not the cold temperatures that cause infection. Although chilling predisposes us to illness, it does not cause the illness. Ellen White understood the relationship between temperature and illness: “I should be unwise to sit with cold feet and limbs, and thus drive back the blood from the extremities to the brain or internal organs. I should always protect my feet in damp weather.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 302.

Infectious diseases tend to become more epidemic in the winter, because we are inside more and exposed to more people in buildings with poorly circulated, stale air, than we are during the warmer months. Schools, malls, even churches, become ideal ecologies for viruses and bacteria. It has been shown that people isolated on a deserted island do not catch colds until rescued. Ellen White noted the necessity for fresh, circulating air when she wrote: “Sleeping rooms especially should be well ventilated, and the atmosphere made healthy by light and air.…Sleeping apartments should be large and so arranged as to have circulation of air through them day and night. Those who have excluded the air from their sleeping rooms should begin to change their course immediately.” Counsels on Health, 57.

What was possibly the first description of a flu-type illness was first recorded by Hippocrates in 400bc, but viruses—the microbe that causes influenza and colds—were not discovered until 1898. Today many of us are still confused about what makes the difference between colds and influenza (flu). Sometimes people use the terms interchangeably. Sometimes they use the term flu when they have a stomach virus. Both are incorrect. Generally, the distinction between colds and flu is not very significant. Since both are caused by viruses, antibiotics are useless against them. Influenza tends to be more concerning than a cold, because of its potential complications. A cold occasionally leads to a secondary bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection, which is miserable but treatable. Influenza can lead to more serious complications that can have a deadly effect on the elderly and those with weak immune systems. We should be extra careful not to spread our illness to other people.

Prevention

Though it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to viruses, it is possible to limit their impact on our lives. A strong immune system can destroy a virus before we ever knew it was there or at least limit the length and strength of a cold or flu.

First, follow the laws of health. Diet must be more than merely adequate. It is not as hard as it used to be to get fresh produce in the winter. The immune system needs the prime nutrients found in fresh foods. Activity typically slows down in cold weather, but it is important to make a goal toward getting at least 20–30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, or every day if possible. A brisk walk is excellent. Ellen White writes: “Morning exercise, in walking in the free invigorating air of heaven,…is the surest safe-guard against colds, coughs, congestions of the brain and lungs,…and a hundred other diseases.” Healthful Living, 210. Water is also essential. It works for us by keeping the system working at its optimum and by helping flush microbes and their toxins out of the body.

Treatment

Remember that the symptoms of a cold or of the flu are signs that the immune system is fighting hard to combat the illness. Fever helps to speed white blood cells to their destination—to kill microbes. Your body makes extra mucus, which produces a runny nose and cough, so the body can attempt to shed the virus out through the nose and the lungs. Over-the-counter medications do not cure illness. Rather, they work against us by suppressing the symptoms. We must work with our bodies to enhance immune function.

As with prevention, following the laws of health are essential. Diet is very important. During illness it is important to listen to what your body is telling you. If you are not hungry, do not eat. It will not harm you or your child (if normally healthy) to fast for a couple of days during illness; fasting may actually be quite beneficial. If hungry, eat only easily digested, nutritive foods. Avoid sugar and dairy products—the former inhibits our immune response, and the latter produces thicker, stickier mucus, which is harder to expel and makes a cozy environment in which microbes can grow.

In our typically hectic lives, we do not give enough value to rest, especially during illness. The immune system uses tremendous energy to wage war against an invading microbe. Do not use up this valuable energy elsewhere. Stay home from work, especially when you have a fever. You may be able to work, but not only are you doing a disservice to your health, you are also exposing others—others who may not be as able to recover from disease as easily as you. Working during an infectious illness is a case of the hero who was not!

Deluge those microbes out of your system with water. Most people are in a chronic state of dehydration, and fever causes even more fluid to leave the body. It is very important to push fluids during your cold or flu. Pure water is best, followed by unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices and herbal teas.

Good anti-viral supplements include Olive Leaf, Echinacea,* Elderberry, Scullcap, and St. John’s Wort. Drinking a ginger/garlic broth throughout the acute stage of illness would also be beneficial.

Recuperation

It is important to replenish the body’s natural resistance after the acute stage of illness. During the recuperation period, start eating lots of fresh and steamed vegetables and brown rice for strength. Consider taking acidophilus and bifidus to replace friendly flora. A massage will help the immune recuperation phase by cleansing the remaining pockets of toxins, and it feels great as a bonus. Continue to avoid sugar and dairy products. Recovery herbs include calendula and astragalus, garlic and dandelion, to help stimulate and cleanse the lymph system.

“But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth.…” Malachi 4:2.

*Echinacea: avoid during pregnancy

Restoring the Temple – To Arms with Your Immune System, Part I

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When we catch a cold, we say that we are “fighting a bug.” But did you know that our bodies are constantly fighting “bugs”? Moment by moment we are under attack by thousands of different kinds of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Our powerful immune systems wipe out the invaders before they ever knew what hit them. Only when a microbe launches a particularly strong invasion (or the microbe itself is particularly virulent) does our immune system put its entire arsenal into play, stimulating symptoms such as tiredness, fever, runny nose, and coughs. It is often only then that we pay any attention to the health of our immune systems.

We each have billions of microbes on our skin and in our gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. These microbes are called our normal flora. The vast majority of our normal flora do not cause disease and are either completely passive or actually help us maintain health. For instance, certain bacteria in our GI tracts produce vitamin K for us, an important factor in the ability to clot blood and stop bleeding. We actually have more bacteria in us than we have human cells! When certain internal or environmental changes occur, the delicate balances of our bodies falter and opportunistic microbes begin their invasion. We are exposed to more people and stale air in the cool months and therefore provide more opportunities for the wily microbial invader. Fortunately, our immune system was created to be an incredibly complex powerhouse that ever-vigilantly sweeps the body for enemies and destroys them. It is important, therefore, that we know both what is harmful to the immune system and what strengthens it.

Toxic Chemicals

Those who know the health message do not have to worry about the destruction done by smoking, alcohol and drug use, but toxic chemicals are present elsewhere and are harmful to our immune systems. Avoiding second-hand smoke is essential. Also important is the amount of non-organic foods you ingest. This is particularly true for children, because the EPA’s guidelines for safe pesticide levels are standardized for a large adult human male, not for children who are not only smaller but who metabolize chemicals at a different rate.

Sugar

Refined sugar is nothing but pure carbohydrate stripped of any nutritional value. It is what we call empty calories. Like a recreational drug or alcohol, sugar affects the brain first, is addictive, and causes your energy to bottom out. Sugar depresses the immune response and is toxic to immune cells. Sugar lowers our resistance. Think of sugar as lowering the walls of our fortress, letting the invading army march over the top. One teaspoon of sugar can inhibit natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages for up to six hours. “Sugar clogs the system. It hinders the working of the living machine.” Counsels on Diets and Foods, 327.

Fat

Avoid saturated and polyunsaturated fats and oils. They help form free radicals which damage the immune system. Fats are also known to irritate the lining of blood vessels, making a less than optimal environment for the immune cells to do their work.

Protein

By-products of metabolizing protein can irritate the immune system. Vegetarians benefit from a naturally lower protein diet. Animal products contain residues of steroids and antibiotics that lead to an impaired immunity. Not only is milk protein a common immune system irritant, it increases mucus production, which makes the body’s systems slow to respond and slow to heal.

Lack of Exercise

The cells that comprise the immune system—NK cells, macrophages, B-cells, T-cells, etc.— rely on a well functioning, strong circulatory and lymphatic system. A sedentary lifestyle leads to lethargic blood and lymph flow. “Exercise, and a free, abundant use of the air and sunlight—blessings which heaven has bestowed upon all—would in many cases give life and strength to the emaciated invalid.” Ibid., 302. “By neglecting to take physical exercise, by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives by disregarding nature’s laws are guilty of robbery toward God. We have no right to neglect or misuse the body, the mind, or the strength, which should be used to offer God consecrated service.” Counsels on Health, 41.

Dehydration

One way the immune system relies on water is the same as for exercise. Dehydration causes the blood to become concentrated and torpid—not optimal conditions for immune cells to rush the invader. Furthermore, water helps regulate temperature—essential during fever—and flushes microbes and toxins out of the body. Remember, thirst is an indicator that you are already dehydrated.

“Thousands have died for want of pure water and pure air who might have lived. And thousands of invalids, who are a burden to themselves and others, think that their lives depend upon taking medicines from the doctors. They are continually guarding themselves against the air and avoiding the use of water. These blessings they need in order to become well. If they would become enlightened and let medicine alone, and accustom themselves to outdoor exercise and to air in their houses, summer and winter, and use soft water for drinking and bathing purposes, they would be comparatively well and happy instead of dragging out a miserable existence.” Ibid., 55, 56.

Lack of Sleep

Interleukins are chemical messengers that are produced by certain white blood cells. During a microbial invasion, interleukins are released, mobilizing the immune cell army. Immune cells rely on these chemical messages in order to know when to “go to arms.” Interleukins also stimulate the hypothalamus, which is the body’s thermostat, to increase body temperature, thereby providing an unpleasant atmosphere for the “bugs” and speeding up the immune response. Interleukins also contribute to the feeling of sleepiness that you have when you get sick, prompting you to get more healing rest. Studies have shown that sleep increases natural immune system modulators, such as interleukin, and even a modest sleep deficit impairs immunity. Your body’s response to illness appears partly dependent upon the quality of sleep you got before the illness set in.

Stress

Ever notice that when you are stressed you become more prone to catching a cold? One of the reasons is a hormone called cortisol that the body produces when we are under stress. Cortisol causes several responses in the body. Inflammation is increased; calcium is pulled from the bones, and autoimmune disorders are exacerbated. Conversely, reducing stress reduces cortisol which alleviates these symptoms. You can then see how it is paramount to over-all health to reduce daily stress.

Our bodies were created to be wonderfully complex. Fortunately, God has given us much insight into how we can avoid certain behaviors that cause the body and its interconnected systems to falter. With a little care, each one of us will be able to build up our health instead of fighting against our own army.

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” Isaiah 58:8.

Restoring the Temple – To Arms with Your Immune System, Part II

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“Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”—1 Chronicles 29:12.

How important is your immune system? Consider this scenario. A woman with the flu boards a plane. During the flight from New York to London, 150 passengers are exposed, and 80 of them consequently come down with the flu. What was the difference between the people who got the flu and those who did not? Strong immune systems.

After years of the public’s overuse of antibiotics, many strains of bacteria have mutated and become resistant to those same antibiotics, which makes it ever so much more important to strengthen our immune systems. Here we briefly examine what we can do to make a more powerful army. The key is that immune-boosting must be an ongoing process, not merely popping a few extra vitamin C tablets when a cold hits.

As we learned in Part 1 of this article, our bodies are constantly on the watch, ready to squelch any invasion. How can you make your immune system more powerful and vigilant? Let us explore what you can do to help yourself.

Nutrition

Nutrition is what fuels our fighter cells. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are all part of a diet complete in essential vitamins and minerals. Since pesticides and fungicides can inhibit immune function, try to choose organic foods whenever possible. Nutrient-dense, pure foods are important for us all, but are especially essential for growing children.

Vegetarians do not have to worry about one health-damaging food—animal products. Meat and dairy products carry residues of antibiotics and steroid hormones that can weaken immunity (not to mention diseases that tax the immune system). Dairy products also contain milk protein which is a common irritant of the immune system. Milk products are especially harmful to an individual who is prone to allergies or autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Daniel understood that eating the king’s meat and other rich foods would weaken his physical powers and decrease his mental capability. (Daniel 1:8–20).

Recent research has found that plant fats, particularly sterols, help immunity. Plant sterols help perform a balancing act by boosting an underactive immune system and decreasing an overactive one. Sterols increase the amount of natural killer cells and reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. A vegetarian diet contains more plant fats than does the average American diet.

Interferons (IFNs) are important chemicals our bodies produce that play a complex part in our immune systems. IFN stimulates a cell to resist viral invasion, induces production of antibodies, and makes infected cells more recognizable to leukocytes (white blood cells). IFN is also very important in keeping a healthy cell from turning into a cancer cell. Recent research has shown that certain mushrooms—particularly reishi and shiitake—help the body with IFN production. Health care practitioners in China and Japan have been aware of the immune-enhancing properties of these mushrooms for a long time. Western medicine is focused on development cell-killing drugs to fight cancer—hoping that more tumor cells will be destroyed than healthy cells. Western scientists are just beginning to research other models of medicine in exploring therapies that work by strengthening the host’s defenses instead. What a novel concept!

Vitamins A, C, E, and B complex are among the immune-enhancing nutrients. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that work by protecting against infection and neutralizing free radicals that damage cells. A diet low in vitamins A and E increases the risk of infection.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are known to enhance the immune system. Zinc increases the size of the thymus gland, an important immune organ, and improves the function of certain immune cells. When a diet is low in zinc, wounds take longer to heal. Low iron intake increases the risk of infection and disease, so it is important to eat foods with lots of iron. A mineral deficiency will suppress the immune function.

A Positive Mental Attitude

Our emotions play a critical part in immunity. As noted in Part 1, stress increases the likelihood that we will become ill. Our attitudes alone may mean the difference between getting sick twice a season and four times a season. Healthier people have been found to have a positive mental attitude, being health-focused—and seeing illness as merely a hitch in an otherwise healthy life—than being illness-focused. “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15. Both rest and exercise work toward keeping the mind relaxed. Ellen White stated:

“By the beauty of flower and field, their minds will be diverted from themselves, from their aches and pains, and they will be led to look from nature to the God of nature, who has provided so abundantly the beauties of the natural world. The convalescent can lie in the shade of the trees, and those who are stronger can, if they wish, work among the flowers, doing just a little at first, and increasing their efforts as they grow stronger. Working in the garden, gathering flowers and fruit, listening to the birds praising God, the patients will be wonderfully blessed. Angels of God will draw near to them. They will forget their sorrows. Melancholy and depression will leave them. The fresh air and sunshine, and the exercise taken, will bring them life and vitality. The wearied brain and nerves will find relief. Good treatment and a wholesome diet will build them up and strengthen them.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 255, 256.

Restoring the Temple – Hygiene

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In the teaching that God gave to Israel, the preservation of health received careful attention. The people who had come from slavery with the uncleanly and unhealthful habits which it engenders, were subjected to the strictest training in the wilderness before entering Canaan. Health principles were taught and sanitary laws enforced.

Prevention of Disease

Not only in their religious service, but in all the affairs of daily life was observed the distinction between clean and unclean. All who came in contact with contagious or contaminating diseases were isolated from the encampment, and they were not permitted to return without thorough cleansing of both the person and the clothing. In the case of one afflicted with a contaminating disease, the direction was given: “Every bed, whereon he lieth,…is unclean: and everything, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that sitteth on anything whereon he sat…shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that toucheth the flesh of him…shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.…And whosoever toucheth anything that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And whomsoever he toucheth…and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth,…shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.” Leviticus 15:4-12.

The law concerning leprosy is also an illustration of the thoroughness with which these regulations were to be enforced: “All the days wherein the plague shall be in him [the leper] he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin;…the priest shall look upon the plague:…if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or anything of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.” Leviticus 13:46–52.

So, too, if a house gave evidence of conditions that rendered it unsafe for habitation, it was destroyed. The priest was to “break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the mortar of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place. Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even. And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.” Leviticus 14:45–47.

Cleanliness

The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were required to wash both their persons and their clothing. This direction was enforced on pain of death. No impurity was to be tolerated in the presence of God.

During the sojourn in the wilderness the Israelites were almost continually in the open air, where impurities would have a less harmful effect than upon the dwellers in closed houses. But the strictest regard to cleanliness was required both within and without their tents. No refuse was allowed to remain within or about the encampment. The Lord said:

“The Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy.” Deuteronomy 23:14.

Diet

The distinction between clean and unclean was made in all matters of diet: “I am the Lord thy God, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing,…which I have separated from you as unclean.” Leviticus 20:24, 25.

Many articles of food eaten freely by the heathen about them were forbidden to the Israelites. It was no arbitrary distinction that was made. The things prohibited were unwholesome. And the fact that they were pronounced unclean taught the lesson that the use of injurious foods is defiling. That which corrupts the body tends to corrupt the soul. It unfits the user for communion with God, unfits him for high and holy service.

In the Promised Land the discipline begun in the wilderness was continued under circumstances favorable to the formation of right habits. The people were not crowded together in cities, but each family had its own landed possession, ensuring to all the health-giving blessings of a natural, unperverted life.

Concerning the cruel, licentious practices of the Canaanites, who were dispossessed by Israel, the Lord said: “Ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.” Verse 23. “Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it.” Deuteronomy 7:26.

In all the affairs of their daily life, the Israelites were taught the lesson set forth by the Holy Spirit: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corin-thians 3:16, 17.

Rejoicing

“A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God’s love and care—these are health’s greatest safeguards. To the Israelites they were to be the very keynote of life.

The journey made three times a year to the annual feasts at Jerusalem, the week’s sojourn in booths during the Feast of Tabernacles, were opportunities for outdoor recreation and social life. These feasts were occasions of rejoicing, made sweeter and more tender by the hospitable welcome given to the stranger, the Levite, and the poor.

“Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.” Deuteronomy 26:11.

So, in later years, when the law of God was read in Jerusalem to the captives returned from Babylon, and the people wept because of their transgressions, the gracious words were spoken: “Mourn not.…Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9, 10.

God gave to Israel instruction in all the principles essential to physical as well as to moral health, and it was concerning these principles no less than concerning those of the moral law that He commanded them: “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6–9.

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son,…The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.” Verses 20–24.

Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the world’s object lesson of health and prosperity. If as a people they had lived according to God’s plan, they would have been preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations. Above any other people they would have possessed physical strength and vigor of intellect. They would have been the mightiest nation on the earth. God said: “Thou shalt be blessed above all people.” Deuteronomy 7:14.

“The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:18, 19.

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” Deuteronomy 28:2–6.

To Aaron the high priest and his sons the direction was given: “On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, ‘Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make His face to shine upon thee, And be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up His countenance upon thee, And give thee peace. So shall they put My name upon the children of Israel; And I will bless them.”

“…As thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto God, O Jeshurun, Who rideth upon the heaven for thy help, And in His excellency on the skies. The eternal God is thy dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms.…Israel dwelleth in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, “In a land of corn and wine; Yea, His heavens drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, a people saved by the Lord,

The shield of thy help, And that is the sword of thy excellency!” Numbers 6:23; 6:24–27, A.R.V.; Deuteronomy 33:25–29, R.V.

The Israelites failed of fulfilling God’s purpose, and thus failed of receiving the blessings that might have been theirs. But in Joseph and Daniel, in Moses and Elisha, and many others, we have noble examples of the results of the true plan of living. Like faithfulness today will produce like results. To us it is written: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

—Ministry of Healing, 277–286

Restoring the Temple – Spring Fever

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Ah, Spring. The newly formed flowers, the trees bursting with buds, the smell of freshly mowed grass. The sneezing, the post-nasal drip, the itching and watery eyes. In the United States, where we have four seasons, allergy season starts in the spring and can extend through the fall. In those regions where the only seasons are Wet and Hot, allergies may know no season. Certainly, the unfortunate among us also can have year-round allergies. Respiratory allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, cause 10 million trips to the doctor every year in America and are big business for pharmaceutical companies. Allergic rhinitis is caused by either environmental pollutants, such as smoke or fumes, or by seasonal conditions, including increased dust, pollens, and spores. Allergies have worsened in recent years; a trend that experts attribute to the massive growth of the petrochemical industry since World War 11. Many of the more than 50,000 chemical products produced worldwide cannot be properly broken down by the body, causing toxin accumulation.

Respiratory allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, are a response by the immune system to agents it perceives as dangerous. In some people, the immune system misreads the signals and responds to substances that are benign but that are perceived as harmful. These immune reactions involve an interaction between an allergen (the substance that induces the allergy) and a specific antibody that the immune system made. The intensity of an allergic reaction varies: the more antibodies present, the stronger the reaction. People can develop an allergy they have never had before after repeated exposure to something. An example of this is the latex allergy which has caused severe reactions in medical workers.

Why can some people relax in a field of daisies while others succumb to a sneezing fit when their coworker has a single rose on their desk? A famous poet once wrote, “Any nose / May ravage with impunity a rose.” For some, any rose may ravage a nose! Although there is a hereditary factor, other causes may exacerbate the condition. These causes may include excess mucous, waste accumulation, adrenal exhaustion, hypoglycemia, free radical damage, and stress. Excess mucous works against us by providing an environment which traps and harbors allergens and irritants and also provides a home in which bacteria can grow, causing a sinus infection which can be a complication of allergic rhinitis. The other causes work by lowering our defenses, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the immune system.

Over-the-counter allergy medications can sometimes make a person feel better temporarily, but they have side effects which can include severe drying of the mucous membranes, drowsiness, hyperactivity or agitation and should not be used by people who have high blood pressure. These medications can have a rebound effect—the more you use, the more you need. The medications that come in the form of nasal sprays or drops are addictive and can lead to mucous membrane damage. Some people who have severe allergies, have to use steroid medications to get relief, but these medications should not be used for long periods, because they can worsen the situation by suppressing the immune system and impeding allergen elimination. “Medicine deranges nature’s fine machinery, and breaks down the constitution. It kills, but never cures.” Healthful Living, 244.

The most beneficial factors in treating environmental allergies are avoiding the source, changing to a therapeutic diet, and keeping the “internal environment” cleansed. When possible, start treatment before the allergy season hits. For those whose allergies know no seasons, treatment can be started at any time. Begin with a three to seven day cleanse. A cleanse will prepare the body by helping to remove excess mucous which will release allergens and allow the next portions of the treatment to have optimal effect.

Make sure to drink lots of pure water. Water thins secretions and helps move foreign substances and toxins out of the body easier and more quickly.

Lifestyle Changes

As always, following the laws of health is an essential part of any treatment. Make sure you are getting adequate exercise. Couple exercise with deep breathing to increase oxygen saturation in your red blood cells. Exercise indoors on dry, windy days when pollen counts are higher. Weeds pollinate at sunrise and sunset as air currents turn over, and grasses pollinate between 6 and 10 a.m., so you may find that outdoor activities are best done in the early afternoon. If you have access to the Internet, there are several sites that have pollen counts for many regions. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org) has a link to a national (U.S.) pollen count. Knowing the pollen count on a given day can help you decide on when and where to schedule outdoor activities.

Equally important to exercise is taking the time to rest and to get sufficient sleep. We know that stress can make us susceptible to illness, so it comes as no surprise that it is also a significant immune suppressor and can aggravate allergies. In The Place of Herbs in Rational Therapy, page four, Ellen White suggests the use of hops tea as a sleep aid. Relaxation is an activity that we all often wish for. Even David said; “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” Psalms 55:6. We concur!

If possible, invest in an air filtration unit. Turning on the air conditioning will also help filter out allergens indoors. You may want to drive with the windows up and the air conditioning on for the same reason. If you live in an area with high humidity, it will help to use a dehumidifier if you can. Wall to wall carpet makes a great home for dust mites, dust, and dander, so if you have trouble with allergies, you may want to consider using area rugs instead. It is, of course, essential not to smoke, but take care to also avoid second-hand smoke.

Supplements

There are several supplements that are useful for allergic rhinitis prevention and maintenance. Some of the herbs include bee pollen and royal jelly (best when from bees in your particular region, if you can get it); gingko biloba, which helps to inactivate allergens; evening primrose oil; nettles, and eyebright. Quercitin, bromelain, CoQ10, vitamin C (preferably ester C), and B complex are also useful for allergy sufferers.

We must do our best to help ourselves on this earth, even though we will be bombarded continually by microscopic invaders. “But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety . . . ye shall rejoice before the lord your God” Deuteronomy 12:10. I look forward to lying in those heavenly daisy fields, don’t you?

Restoring the Temple – Activating Principles of a Changed Life

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Christ Works From Within

Men will never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart. . . . Circumstances cannot work reform. Christianity proposes a reformation in the heart. What Christ works within, will be worked out under the dictation of a converted intellect. The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail.—Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 35.

Power of Self-Control Must be Regained

One of the most deplorable effects of the original apostasy was the loss of man’s power of self-control. Only as this power is regained, can there be real progress.

The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here means the surrender to evil of the whole being. The tendencies of our physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death.

The body is to be brought into subjection. The higher powers of the being are to rule. The passions are to be controlled by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God. The kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear sway in our lives.—The Ministry of Healing, pages 129, 130.

Futility of Attempts to Stop by Degrees

Shall those who have had more opportunities and much precious light, who enjoy the advantages of education, make the plea that they cannot cut away from unhealthful practices? Why do not those who have excellent reasoning powers reason from cause to effect? Why do they not advocate reform by planting their feet firmly on principle, determined not to taste alcoholic drink or to use tobacco? These are poisons, and their use is a violation of God’s Law. Some say, when an effort is made to enlighten them on this point, I will leave off by degrees. But Satan laughs at all such decisions. He says, They are secure in my power. I have no fear of them on that ground.

But he knows that he has no power over the man who, when sinners entice him, has moral courage to say “No” squarely and positively. Such a one has dismissed the companionship of the devil, and as long as he holds to Jesus Christ, he is safe. He stands where heavenly angels can connect with him, giving him moral power to overcome.— Manuscript 86, 1897.

A Hard Battle, But God Will Help

Do you use tobacco or intoxicating liquor? Cast them from you; for they becloud your faculties. To give up the use of these things will mean a hard battle, but God will help you to fight this battle. Ask Him for grace to overcome, and then believe that He will give it to you, because He loves you. Do not allow worldly companions to draw you away from your allegiance to Christ. Rather let your mind be drawn from these companions to Christ. Tell them that you are seeking for heavenly treasure. You are not your own; you have been bought with a price, even the life of the Son of God, and you are to glorify God in your body and in your spirit, for they are His.— Letter 226, 1903. . . .

Conversion the Secret of Victory

The indulgence of unnatural appetite, whether for tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor, is intemperance, and is at war with the laws of life and health. By using these forbidden articles a condition of things is created in the system which the Creator never designed. This indulgence in any of the members of the human family is sin. . . . Suffering, disease, and death are the sure penalty of indulgence.—Evangelism, page 266. . . .

Christ gave His life to purchase redemption for the sinner. The world’s Redeemer knew that indulgence of appetite was bringing physical debility and deadening the perceptive faculties so that sacred and eternal things could not be discerned. He knew that self-indulgence was perverting the moral powers, and that man’s great need was conversion,—in heart and mind and soul, from the life of self-indulgence to one of self-denial and self-sacrifice.—Medical Ministry, page 264. . . .

Victory Assured Through Christ’s Sinless Life

The Saviour took upon Himself the infirmities of humanity, and lived a sinless life, that men might have no fear that because of the weakness of human nature they could not overcome. Christ came to make us “partakers of the divine nature,” and His life declares that humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.

The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome. All the temptations of Satan, Christ met with the Word of God. By trusting in God’s promises, He received power to obey God’s commandments, and the tempter could gain no advantage. . . .—The Ministry of Healing, pages 179–182.

When men who have indulged in wrong habits and sinful practices yield to the power of divine truth, the application of that truth to the heart revives the moral powers, which had seemed to be paralyzed. The receiver possesses stronger, clearer understanding than before he riveted his soul to the eternal Rock. Even his physical health improves by the realization of his security in Christ. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiver is of itself health and strength.— Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, page 13.

Reprinted from Temperance, 102–108.