Abstemiousness
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible"1 Corinthians 9:25.
We are under a solemn obligation to God to maintain a pure spirit and healthy body so that we can benefit others and render God a perfect service. The apostle Paul tells us: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1) and “…every man that striveth for the master is temperate in all things…” (1 Corinthians 9:25).
What does it mean to be temperate? True temperance teaches us two things. First, we must dispense entirely with everything hurtful. You see, the difference between GODSPLAN and the world’s plan is that the world tells you that “a little bit” won’t hurt you. In the world’s view of diet, it’s okay to take in harmful items sometimes as long as you don’t overdo it. But, GODSPLAN for us is to dispense with harmful substances altogether. Why? Because few realize how much their diet habits affect not only their health, but also their characters, their usefulness in this world, and even their eternal destinies. The appetite should always be subject to the moral and intellectual powers. Never mind be a servant to the body, but always the body should be a servant to the mind. When we indulge our appetites with unhealthful articles of food, we are dulling the machinery through which our intellect works and we then begin to see things through a perverted light.
Second, true temperance teaches us to use judiciously that which is healthful. In other words, we must eat good things only in moderation. We have been bought with a price; therefore we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are His. We are not to deny Him by one act of intemperance, because the only-begotten Son of God has purchased us at an infinite cost, even the sacrifice of His life. He did not die for us in order that we might become slaves to evil habits, but that we might become the sons and daughters of God, serving Him with every power of the being. Those who have a constant realization that they stand in this relation to God will not place in the stomach food which pleases the appetite, but which injures the digestive organs. They will not spoil the property of God by indulging improper habits of eating, drinking, or dressing. They will take great care of the human machinery, realizing that they must do this in order to work in copartnership with God. He wills that they shall be healthy, happy, and useful. But in order for them to be this, they must place their wills on the side of His will.
Listed below are common intemperate practices and their effects on the body:
- The use of alcoholic beverages (even moderately) —it destroys cells (including brain cells) and is harmful to the liver
- The use of tobacco products (even moderately) —this damages the cells, produces stomach ulcers, and greatly increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidneys, etc.
- The use of caffeine (even moderately) —it initially over stimulates the nervous system, then exhaust the body of energy; it can also elevate the blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood fats (triglycerides); it has been linked to insomnia, increased stomach secretions, etc.
- The use of white (refined) foods, i.e. flours, grains, sugar—this robs the body of B vitamins, raises the blood sugar level, and often causes constipation due to its low fiber content.
Practical and Helpful Suggestions
1. Avoid consuming anything that is harmful to your body. This includes alcohol, caffeine, high-fat and calorie dense foods, etc.
2. Avoid any lifestyle habit or practice that is injurious in nature. This includes the use of drugs, tobacco, eating between meals, going to bed at late hours, etc.
3. Pray to God and ask Him to give you self control and to teach you temperance in all things.
