"Wrong habits of eating and drinking lead to errors in thought and action."—Counsels on Health, p. 67.
"The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach. Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting."Ibid., p. 134.
"Peace of mind is lost. There is dissension, strife, and discord. Impatient words are spoken, and unkind deeds are done; dishonest practices are followed, and anger is manifested—and all because the nerves of the brain are disturbed by the abuse heaped on the stomach. . . . The affliction of the stomach afflicts the brain."Ibid., p. 578.
"It is impossible for the brain to do its best work when the digestive powers are abused. Many eat hurriedly of various kinds of food, which set up a war in the stomach, and thus confuse the brain."—Ibid., pp. 564, 565.
"A clogged stomach means a clogged brain. Too often so large an amount of food is eaten on the Sabbath that the mind is rendered dull and stupid, incapable of appreciating spiritual things. The habits of eating have much to do with the many dull religious exercises of the Sabbath."—Ibid., p. 577.
"He [God] cannot enlighten the mind of a man who makes a cesspool of his stomach."Ibid., p. 576.
"You should use the most simple food, prepared in the most simple manner, that the fine nerves of the brain be not weakened, benumbed, or paralyzed."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 46.
"Fruits, grains, and vegetables, prepared in a simple way, free from spice and grease of all kinds, make, with milk or cream, the most healthful diet. They impart nourishment to the body, and give a power of endurance and vigor of intellect that are not produced by a stimulating diet."—Counsels on Health, p. 115.
"Regularity in eating is very important for health of body and serenity of mind. Never should a morsel of food pass the lips between meals."—Ibid., p. 118.
"Mental confusion and dullness are often the result of errors in diet."—Education, p. 204.
"Many a puny child, incapable of vigorous effort of mind or body, is the victim of an impoverished diet. . . . Many a student is supposed to have broken down from overstudy, when the real cause was overeating. . . . It is the overcrowding of the stomach that wearies the body and weakens the mind."—Education, pp. 204, 205.
Tea, Coffee, and Flesh Meat
"Let the members of our churches deny every selfish appetite. Every penny expended for tea, coffee, and flesh meat is worse than wasted, for these things hinder the best development of the physical, mental, and spiritual powers."—Medical Ministry, p. 274.
"Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwonted action, but the aftereffect is sad—prostration and exhaustion of the physical, mental, and moral forces."—Counsels on Health, p. 441.
"These indulgences [tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and morphine] may well be classed among the lusts that exert a pernicious influence upon moral character."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 63.
"These hurtful indulgences must be given up, not only one, but all; for all are hurtful, and ruinous to the physical, mental, and moral powers."—Medical Ministry, p. 222.
"Stimulants . . becloud the mind, weaken the intellect."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 28.
"It [tea] enters into the circulation, and gradually impairs the energy of body and mind_ . . . Tea draws upon the strength of the nerves, and leaves them greatly weakened."—Counsels on Health, p. 87.
"God's people are to take a firm stand against meat eating. Would God for thirty years give His people the message that if they desire to have pure blood and clear minds, they must give up the use of flesh meat, if He did not want them to heed this message?"—Medical Ministry, p. 278.
"The intellectual, the moral, and the physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh meats. Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities."—Counsels on Health, p. 70.
"We are composed of what we eat, and eating much flesh will diminish intellectual activity. Students would accomplish much more in their studies if they never tasted meat. When the animal part of the human agent is strengthened by meat eating, the intellectual powers diminish proportionately."—Medical Ministry, p. 277.
"Flesh meats, butter, cheese, rich pastry, spiced foods, and condiments are freely partaken of by both old and young. These things do their work in deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves, and enfeebling the intellect"— Counsels on Health, p. 114.
"Rich food breaks down the healthy organs of body and mind."—Ibid., p. 159.
"These [large amounts of milk and sugar] clog the system, irritate the digestive organs, and affect the brain. Anything that hinders the active motion of the living machinery affects the brain very directly. And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat."—Ibid., p. 150.
"Abstemiousness in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigor."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 126.
"If Christians will keep the body in subjection, and bring all their appetites and passions under the control of enlightened conscience, feeling it a duty that they owe to God and to their neighbors to obey the laws which govern health and life, they will have the blessing of physical and mental vigor."—Ibid., p. 65.
"Had they [Israelites] been willing to deny appetite, in obedience to His wise restrictions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown among them. Their descendants would have possessed both physical and mental strength. They would have had clear perceptions of truth and duty, keen discrimination, and sound judgment."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 378.
Sin of Intemperate Eating
"Indulgence of appetite and passion beclouds the mind. . . . Their thoughts are not clear."—Counsels on Health, p. 573.
"Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility."--Ibid., p. 130.
"By intemperance in eating you disqualify yourselves for seeing clearly the difference between sacred and common fire."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 258.
"We need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification. . . . Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility, and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death."—/bid., p. 156.
"It [gluttony] also has a depressing influence upon the intellect."—Counsels on Health, p. 160.
"How can any man or woman keep the law of God, . . . and indulge intemperate appetite, which benumbs the brain, weakens the intellect, and fills the body with disease?"—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 31.
"The indulgence of unnatural appetites and passions has a controlling influence upon the nerves of the brain."—Ibid., p. 36.
"The sin of intemperate eating, eating too frequently, too much, and of rich, unwholesome food, . . . is a fruitful source of church trials." —Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 618, 619.
"It [excess food] hinders the living machine. . . . The vital organs are unnecessarily taxed, and the brain nerve power is called to the stomach to help the digestive organs carry on their work of disposing of an amount of food which does the system no good. . . . Thus the power of the brain is lessened by drawing so heavily upon it to help the stomach get along with its heavy burden."—Counsels on Health, p. 157.
"Because of wrong habits of eating, the world is becoming more and more immoral."—MRs. E. G. WHITE in Bible Training School, July, 1902.
"The health of body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright, moral character will be hindered."—Counsels on Health, p. 134.
"Even some who profess to keep all the commandments of God are guilty of the sin of adultery. What can I say to arouse their benumbed sensibilities? Moral principle, strictly carried out, becomes the only safeguard of the soul. If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it is now." —Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 63, 64.
"How carefully should mothers study to prepare their tables with the most simple, healthful food. . . . This food either weakens or strengthens the organs of the stomach and has much to do in controlling the physical and moral health of the children."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 568.
"The very food they place before their children is such as to irritate the tender coats of the stomach. This excitement is communicated to the brain through the nerves, and the result is that the animal passions are roused and control the moral powers. Reason is thus made a servant to the lower qualities of the mind."Ibid., vol. 4, pp. 140, 141.
"Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven. The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 64.
"Indulgence of appetite and passion beclouds the mind. . . . Abstemiousness in diet and control of all the passions will preserve the intellect and give mental and moral vigor."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 491.
"Through the gratification of the taste, the nervous system becomes excited and the brain power enfeebled, making it impossible to think calmly or rationally. The mind is unbalanced. Its higher, nobler faculties are perverted to serve animal lust, and the sacred, eternal interests are not regarded."—/bid., vol. 4, p. 44.
"At this stage of the earth's history meat-eating is dishonoring to God. It is meat-eating and liquor-drinking that are making the world as it was in the days of Noah. These things are strengthening the lower passions of human beings, animalizing the race."—MRs. E. G. WHITE in Bible Training School, July, 1.902.
"Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities." —Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 64.
"A religious life can be more successfully gained and maintained if meat is discarded, for this diet stimulates into intense activities, lustful propensities, and enfeebles the moral and spiritual nature."—Medical Ministry, pp. 277, 278.
"Its influence is to excite and strengthen deaden the moral powers."—Counsels on Health, p. 42.
"The intellectual, the moral, and the physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh meats. Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities."—Ibid., p. 70.
"You place upon your tables butter, eggs, and meat, and your children partake of them. They are fed with the very things that will excite their animal passions, and then you come to meeting and ask God to bless and save your children."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 362.
"We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet. There are many kinds of wholesome food. But we do say that flesh meat is not the right food for God's people. It animalizes human beings. In a country such as this, where there are fruits, grains, and nuts in abundance, how can one think that he must eat the flesh of dead animals?"—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 390.
(Lengthy counsel to parents that gratifying appetite opens the way for Satan to gain control of the children, sowing seeds of evil and vice. Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 360, 361.)
"Children should not be allowed to eat gross articles of food, such as pork, sausage, spices, rich cakes and pastry; for by so doing their blood becomes fevered, the nervous system unduly excited, and the morals are in danger of being affected."—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 141.
Abstemiousness Rewarded
"If Christians will keep the body in subjection, and bring all their appetites and passions under the control of enlightened conscience, feeling it a duty that they owe to God and to their neighbors to obey the laws which govern health and life, they will have the blessing of physical and mental vigor. They will have moral power to engage in the warfare against Satan; and in the name of Him who conquered appetite in their behalf, they may be more than conquerors on their own account. This warfare is open to all who will engage in it."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 65.
"Abstemiousness in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigor; it also aids in the control of the passions."—Ibid., p. 126.
"Lustful appetite makes slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths of God's word are not appreciated."—Ibid., p. 32.
"The majority of men and women remain in ignorance of the laws of their being, and indulge appetite and passion at the expense of intellect and morals, and seem willing to remain in ignorance of the result of their violation of nature's laws."—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 25.
"The world should be no criterion for us. It is fashionable to indulge the appetite in luxurious food and unnatural stimulus, thus strengthening the animal propensities, and crippling the growth and development of the moral faculties. There is no encouragement given to any of the sons or daughters of Adam that they may become victorious overcomers in the Christian warfare unless they decide to practice temperance in all things. If they do this, they will not fight as one that beateth the air." —Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 65.
"Those who permit themselves to become slaves to a gluttonous appetite, often go still farther, and debase themselves by indulging their corrupt passions, which have become excited by intemperance in eating and in drinking. They give loose rein to their debasing passions, until health and intellect greatly suffer. The reasoning faculties are, in a great measure, destroyed by evil habits."—Ibid., p. 62.
"Men and women now carry their eating and drinking so far that it ends in gluttony and drunkenness. This prevailing sin, the indulgence of perverted appetite, inflamed the passions of men in the days of Noah, and led to widespread corruption. Violence and sin reached to heaven. This moral pollution was finally swept from the earth by means of the Flood.
"The same sins of gluttony and drunkenness benumbed the moral sensibilities of the inhabitants of Sodom."—Counsels on Health, p. 23.
"Many separate themselves from God by their indulgence of appetite. He who notices the fall of a sparrow, who numbers the very hairs of the head, marks the sin of those who indulge perverted appetite at the expense of weakening the physical powers, benumbing the intellect, and deadening the moral perceptions."—Medical Ministry, p. 78.
"All who indulge the appetite, waste the physical energies, and weaken the moral power, will sooner or later feel the retribution that follows the transgression of physical law."—Ibid., p. 264.
