Christian temperance has to do with all facets of our life here on earth and recognizes the intimate relation that exists between the spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of our being. The condition of the body affects the mind, and the condition of the mind affects not only the body but also man's spiritual relationship to God. True temperance may be defined as dispensing entirely all things which are harmful and making a judicious use of those things which are healthful. The general principle concerning temperance in all things has been outlined in the word of God by the apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

A Lesson From the Greek Athletes

"In referring to [the Grecian races] as a figure of Christian warfare, Paul emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the contestants in the race—the preliminary discipline, the abstemious diet, the necessity for temperance. 'Every man that striveth for the mastery,' he declared, 'is temperate in all things.' The runner 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! Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. All his habits and passions must be brought under the strictest discipline. Reason, enlightened by the teachings of God's word and guided by His Spirit, must hold the reins of control. . . .

"Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by the victor in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. 'They do it,' he declares, 'to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.' To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize infinitely more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life. How much more careful should be our striving, how much more willing our sacrifice and self-denial!"—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 311-312.

Health Reform from a Biblical Perspective

As a healthy mind is to a large degree developed in a healthy body, health reform has its place in the plan of redemption. Ecclesiastes 10:17; 3 John 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23. God's Word beseeches us to take good care not only of our souls but also of our bodies. Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 9:25, 27.

The general principles related to eating and drinking, and to anything that may affect our physical, mental, or spiritual health, are outlined in the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

As a part of the third angel's message, health reform is as closely connected with it as is the right arm with the body (cf Revelation 14:12; 2 Peter 1:6). Exodus 15:26; Proverbs 3:7, 8; 4:20-22.

Health reform is equated with the moderate use of good things. True temperance requires complete abstinence from all things which are harmful to the system, such as: flesh foods (including fish), animal fat, harmful chemicals added to ready-made foods (such as monosodium glutamate), alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, caffeinated drinks, tobacco, narcotics et cetera. Since the longest list would still be incomplete, we give only a few examples. Hundreds of new products are launched on the market year after year; therefore, each person should find out for himself which ones are to be rejected. See examples in Judges 13:4, 7; Daniel 1:8, 12-16, 20.

Also marital excesses and all forms of sexual perversion are condemned in the Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 1:24, 26, 27; 13:11-14; 1 Peter 4:2, 3.

"God requires His people to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. All those who are indifferent and excuse themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for them that which He requires them to do for themselves, will be found wanting when the meek of the earth, who have wrought His judgments, are hid in the day of the Lord's anger."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 33.

"All who occupied positions of sacred responsibility [in Israel] 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. The same obligation rests upon every follower of Christ. The apostle Peter declares, 'Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.' 1 Peter 2:9. We are required by God to preserve every power in the best possible condition, that we may render acceptable service to our Creator."—Patriarchs and Prophets, 362.

"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."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 32.

"We wish to present temperance and health reform from a Bible standpoint and to be very cautious not to go to extremes in abruptly advocating health reform. Let us be careful not to graft into health reform one false shoot according to our own peculiar overstrained ideas and weave into it our own strong traits of character making these as the voice of God and passing judgment on all who do not see as we do."—Selected Messages, bk. 3, pp. 284-285.

"The health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. It is as closely connected with the third angel's message as the hand is with the body. The law of Ten Commandments has been lightly regarded by man; yet the Lord will not come to punish the transgressors of that law without first sending them a message of warning. Men and women cannot violate natural law by indulging depraved appetites and lustful passions, without violating the law of God. Therefore He has permitted the light of health reform to shine upon us, that we may realize the sinfulness of breaking the laws which He has established in our very being."—Counsels on Health, p. 20.

"In the ten commandments God has laid down the laws of His kingdom. Any violation of the laws of nature is a violation of the law of God."—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1105.

"The laws governing the physical nature are as truly divine in their origin and character as the law of the ten commandments. Man is fearfully and wonderfully made; for Jehovah has inscribed his law by his own mighty hand on every part of the human body.

"It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the ten commandments, for we cannot do either without breaking God's law.

"The human being who is careless and reckless of the habits and practices that concern his physical life and health, sins against God.

"A violation of these laws is a violation of the immutable law of God, and the penalty will surely follow."—Healthful Living, p. 21.

Christian temperance involves our entire lifestyle and wellbeing. On this subject we recommend the reading of the following books: The Ministry of Healing, Counsels on Health, Counsels on Diet and Foods, Temperance, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, and Healthful Living.

Our Bodies

The human body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20. Therefore, it is our duty before God, not only to be very careful in preserving our spiritual health, but also our physical health. All those who are led by the Holy Spirit will conform to the principles of Christian temperance, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:22, 23.

Flesh Eating in the Last Days

Although the use of the flesh of "clean animals" was tolerated in the days of the apostles, it is the purpose of the gospel to restore all things including the original Edenic diet. Acts 3:19-21. As the Lord wanted His people to give up the use of flesh foods before entering the land of Canaan, He now requires us to discard all flesh foods in the time of the end as part of our preparation for the coming of Christ and for the heavenly Canaan. Numbers 11:4-20, 31-34; Psalm 78:17-32; 106:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 10:5, 6, 11 (cf Isaiah 22:12-14, 20-22; Revelation 3:7, 8). Isaiah 22:12-14 has a special application during the antitypical day of atonement, which began in 1844.

Those who persist in eating pork, guinea pigs, rats, and other abominations and/or forbidden things, while being aware of the prohibition, will be destroyed. Leviticus 11:7; Isaiah 66:15-17 (cf 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9); Acts 15:20; Leviticus 3:17.

The instructions coming from the Spirit of Prophecy concerning meat eating in these last days are in harmony with the Bible:

"God's people are to take a firm stand against meat eating."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 383 (1902).

"You may ask, Would you do away entirely with meat eating? I answer, It will eventually come to this, but we are not prepared for this step just now. Meat eating will eventually be done away. The flesh of animals will no longer compose a part of our diet; and we shall look upon a butcher's shop with disgust." —Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 407.

"Those who use flesh meat disregard all the warnings that God has given concerning this question. They have no evidence that they are walking in safe paths."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 383 (1902)

Although the light on health reform had already come to the people of God, and the main reasons why meat eating should be discarded had been stated, at the turn of the century (1899-1900) the Advent people were not yet prepared to accept all the light on the question of diet. "My brother, you are not to make a test for the people of God upon the question of diet."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 205 (1901).

In 1909 the church was instructed not "to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship" (9T 159), because many ministers and leaders were still meat eaters (9T 160). For this reason, the strictly vegetarian diet could not be imposed as a test for new members. "The time has not yet come to prescribe the strictest diet."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 163.

At the same time, however, a more advanced step, which would demand the giving up of improper articles of diet, was predicted:

"Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self‑denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 153-154 (1909).

"Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 380-381 (1890).

"Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people to walk no more with them."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 382 (1902).

"No meat will be used by His people."—Counsels on Diets and Foods, p. 82 (1884).

"The meat diet is the serious question. Shall human beings live on the flesh of dead animals? The answer, from the light that God has given is, No, decidedly No."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 388.

"It is for their own good that the Lord counsels the remnant church to discard the use of flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and other harmful foods. There are plenty of other things on which we can subsist that are wholesome and good." —Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 381.

"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."—Bible Training School, July 1, 1902.

Now, when the coming of Christ is so near, we believe we have reached a time when those who "make a covenant with God by sacrifice will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful." Therefore, the half converted ones, who still want to eat meat, cannot be united with God's remnant people (CD 382). It is evident to us that the time has come for "the strictest diet [to] be prescribed."

"The diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals increases, the use of milk and eggs will become more and more unsafe. An effort should be made to supply their place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive. The people everywhere should be taught how to cook without milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food wholesome and palatable."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 365.

While the diseases among the animals increase in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men, it is evident that the use of animal products is not safe anymore. It is evident to us that the time has come for the "strictest diet (to) be prescribed."

Restoration of the Original Diet

At the beginning of the world, before the entrance of sin, God said to our first parents:

"Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Genesis 1:29

"Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator."—Ministry of Healing, p. 296 (CD 310)

"When flesh food is discarded, its place should be supplied with a variety of grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, that will be both nourishing and appetizing."—Ministry of Healing, p. 316 (CD 315)

Those who insist that meat eating is not forbidden in the Bible, although it is disapproved (Proverbs 23:20; Romans 14:21; cf James 4:17), should understand that "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8) and that it will not be so when the work of restoration is completed (Acts 3:21) and when all things are made new (Revelation 21:5).

"In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored."—Prophets and Kings, p. 678

In the Kingdom of Glory

In the earth made new, after the wicked have been destroyed, even the carnivorous (flesh-eating) animals will all be herbivorous (feeding on plants), as they were in the beginning. Genesis 1:30; Isaiah 11:4-9; 65:25; Ezekiel 47:12.

Dealing with Disease

We are God's property by creation (Genesis 1:27; 2:7) and by redemption (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). Man was made in God's own image out of dust. This living machinery consist of three components—body, soul and spirit—that are governed by specific natural laws. It is God's plan to sanctify and preserve them blameless. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Every person needs to have knowledge in taking care of his body which is God's temple. Life and health are God's gift to us.

When our body is abused sickness results. In such a case, the cause should be ascertained, the detrimental environment should be changed, and wrong habits corrected. Nature will then be assisted to eliminate the toxins and to reestablish the balance in the body. Both in prevention and in dealing with diseases, the best method is to use the natural remedies God has provided for us such as: diet, hygiene, pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, water, herbs, clay, and trust in divine power. Genesis 1:29; 3:18; 2 Peter 1:6; Mark 6:31; Genesis 2:15; 2 Kings 5:10, 14; 20:7; John 9:6, 7; Psalm 103:2, 3; Mathew 8:6-13; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 5:20, 24, 25; Psalm 104:14.

"To many of the afflicted ones who received healing, Christ said, 'Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.' John 5:14. Thus He taught that disease is the result of violating God's laws, both natural and spiritual. The great misery in the world would not exist did men but live in harmony with the Creator's plan."—The Desire of Ages, p. 824.

"Many might recover without one grain of medicine if they would live out the laws of health. Drugs need seldom be used."—Medical Ministry, p. 259.

The advice to use natural preventive and healing methods should not be confused with acute health problems. Emergencies should be handled by medical professionals. Let us heed the warning:

"My voice shall be raised against novices undertaking to treat disease professedly according to the principles of health reform. God forbid that we should be the subjects for them to experiment upon!" Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 375.

The main reason why the Lord sent us light on the principle of health reform is that, since 1844, we have been living in the antitypical Day of Atonement (Daniel 8:14), when our bodies are to be presented as "a living sacrifice wholly acceptable unto God." Romans 12:1.

Dress and Cosmetics

Since God has the health of the entire human being in view, all articles of dress that have a definite adverse effect on our health are clearly prohibited in the word of God. For example: anything that restricts free-breathing, that causes curvature of the spine or any deformity of the body, and unhealthful chemicals placed on the body such as those used for dying the hair and cosmetics. Exodus 15:26.

Healthful Dress

"In order to secure the most healthful clothing, the needs of every part of the body must be carefully studied. The character of the climate, the surroundings, the condition of health, the age, and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood nor a free, full, natural respiration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised the clothing will be correspondingly lifted."—Ministry of Healing, p. 293.

"The suffering caused among women by unhealthful dress cannot be estimated. Many have become life-long invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Health and life have been sacrificed to the insatiable goddess. Many seem to think that they have a right to treat their bodies as they please; but they forget that their bodies are not their own. The Creator who formed them has claims upon them that they cannot lightly throw off. Every needless transgression of the laws of our being is virtually a transgression of the law of God, and is sin in the sight of Heaven. The Creator knew how to form the human body. He did not need to consult the mantua-makers in regard to their ideas of beauty. God, who created everything that is lovely and glorious in nature, understood how to make the human form beautiful and healthy. The modern improvements upon his plan are insulting to the Creator. They deform that which he made perfect."—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, pp. 87-88.

Separation From the World

Separation from the world means a coming out from its ideas, theories, habits, practices, worldly associations and everything that is contrary to the word of God. John 17:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Revelation 18:4.

"There is a distinct line drawn by God Himself between the world and the church, between commandment keepers, and commandment breakers. They do not blend together."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 602.

"To protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress reform was introduced among us. It was not intended to be a yoke of bondage, but a blessing; not to increase labor, but to save labor; not to add to the expense of dress, but to save expense. It would distinguish God's people from the world, and thus serve as a barrier against its fashions and follies."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 634.

"God will test the fidelity of His people. Many of the mistakes that are made by the professed servants of God are in consequence of their self-love, their desire of approval, their thirst for popularity. Blinded in this manner, they do not realize that they are elements of darkness rather than of light. 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' These are the conditions upon which we may be acknowledged as sons of God—separation from the world and renunciation of those things which delude, and fascinate, and ensnare." —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 12-13.

"Christ's followers are required to come out from the world, and be separate, and touch not the unclean, and they have the promise of being the sons and daughters of the Most High, members of the royal family. But if the conditions are not complied with on their part, they will not, cannot, realize the fulfillment of the promise."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 441.

"As soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as His children. They are the children of the world and of darkness."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 137.

"Jesus is coming; and will He find a people conformed to the world? And will He acknowledge these as His people that He has purified unto Himself? Oh, no. None but the pure and holy will He acknowledge as His."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 133.

Dress Reform

One of the conditions on which God promises to accept us as His people is separation from the world. Matthew 6:24; James 4:4; 2 Peter 1:4. As the children of Israel were required to wear a ribbon of blue as a sign of distinction between themselves and the idolatrous nations around them, so God's church today is to observe the principles of dress reform. Numbers 15:37-41. Believers should dress modestly, healthfully, tastefully, and neatly, thus representing the principles of the heavenly kingdom.

"To protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress reform was introduced among us. It was not intended to be a yoke of bondage, but a blessing; not to increase labor, but to save labor; not to add to the expense of dress, but to save expense. It would distinguish God's people from the world, and thus serve as a barrier against its fashions and follies. He who knows the end from the beginning, who understands our nature and our needs—our compassionate Redeemer—saw our dangers and difficulties, and condescended to give us timely warning and instruction concerning our habits of life, even in the proper selection of food and clothing."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 634.

"Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer. Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 641.

The Bible places emphasis on modesty and self-respect, forbidding the extravagant and immodest fashions and customs of the world in both men and women. Although in time past fashion was mostly a problem with women, unfortunately as we approach the end, Satan is even destroying the experience of some men on this point. Such designs as tight revealing clothing, slits, shorts, and see-through fabrics (exposing nakedness), unhealthful footwear, jewelry and following modern trends for the sake of fashion is detrimental to the Christian's experience and is prohibited in the word of God. Through these things we exert a negative influence upon others, and we would have to answer to God for leading souls to decide against the truth by thus living in contradiction with our profession of faith. Genesis 35:1-4; Isaiah 3:16-24; 1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:1-5.

Men and women are not to cause confusion of the sexes either by their conduct, by wearing their clothing or having their appearance (length of hair) resemble that of the opposite sex, for God pronounces it an abomination. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:14, 15.

"There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. 'In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.' 1 Timothy 2:9."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 421.

From the very beginning of the creation of mankind, God placed a difference between men and women and He wants this distinction to be maintained. Genesis 1:27. "God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. Were the apostle Paul alive, and should he behold women professing godliness with this style of dress, he would utter a rebuke. 'In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.' The mass of professed Christians utterly disregard the teachings of the apostles, and wear gold, pearls, and costly array."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 460:1.

Moreover, when they come into the presence of God for their worship services, there is yet to be a further distinction in their manner of dress. Exodus 3:5; 20:26; 28:42, 43. As a sign of reverence and respect, when we come to the house of worship we should wear appropriate attire. John 21:7; Genesis 3:7, 21; Isaiah 6:2; Psalm 89:7.

"I am often pained as I enter the house where God is worshiped, to see the untidy dress of both men and women. If the heart and character were indicated by the outward apparel, then certainly nothing could be heavenly about them. They have no true idea of the order, the neatness, and the refined deportment that God requires of all who come into His presence to worship Him. What impressions do these things give to unbelievers and to the youth, who are keen to discern and to draw their conclusions?

"In the minds of many there are no more sacred thoughts connected with the house of God than with the most common place. Some will enter the place of worship with their hats on, in soiled, dirty clothes. Such do not realize that they are to meet with God and holy angels. There should be a radical change in this matter all through our churches. Ministers themselves need to elevate their ideas, to have finer susceptibilities in regard to it. It is a feature of the work that has been sadly neglected. Because of the irreverence in attitude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned His face away from those assembled for His worship."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 498-499.

The followers of Christ, knowing that God has taken garments as a type of righteousness (Revelation 19:8), cannot be disorderly and untidy in their dress.

Even things which are lawful in themselves, if practiced in a wrong way, with the wrong crowd, in the wrong place, and at the wrong time, may work as a snare of Satan. But, in the first place, we should shun the most evident evils, such as worldly associations, worldly music, worldly games, worldly amusements, worldly fashions, involvement in politics, and the corrupting influence of satanic "garbage" coming through the mass media, which generally appeals to weak minds.

"It should be understood whether those who profess to be converted are simply taking the name of Seventh‑day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord's side to come out from the world and be separate and touch not the unclean thing. When they give evidence that they fully understand their position, they are to be accepted. But when they show that they are following the customs and fashions and sentiments of the world, they are to be faithfully dealt with. If they feel no burden to change their course of action, they should not be retained as members of the church. The Lord wants those who compose His church to be true, faithful stewards of the grace of Christ."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 128.

"Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from Godō Our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 647.

"The words, the dress, the actions, should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all around them, and even unbelievers will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 634.

"There should be no carelessness in dress. For Christ's sake, whose witness we are, we should seek to make the best of our appearance."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 96.

Associations

God has made His people a light in this world. As such, they are to enter into social relations with the people around them with the purpose of bringing the gospel message to them. Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:15. But God has also made a definite distinction between His people and the world. If we want to be identified with Christ, we will shun the society of worldlings, which would be detrimental to our Christian experience. We cannot place ourselves where Christ cannot go with us. Ezekiel 44:23; Amos 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

Professed Christians who do not understand this principle, and who love that which they should abominate, will be classified with the evil servant. Matthew 24:48-51. Separation from the world also involves separation from secret societies, political parties, participation in labor unions, business partnerships with unbelievers and any other confederacy with the world. Isaiah 8:12; John 8:23; 18:36.

"Those only who deny self, and live a life of sobriety, humility, and holiness, are true followers of Jesus; and such cannot enjoy the society of the lovers of the world."—Testimony for the Church, vol. 4, p. 633.

"There are persons with a diseased imagination to whom religion is a tyrant, ruling them as with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their depravity and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a frown is ever upon their countenances. They are chilled by the innocent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They consider all recreation or amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought up to just such a stern, severe pitch. This is one extreme. Others think that the mind must be ever on the stretch to invent new amusements and diversions in order to gain health. They learn to depend on excitement, and are uneasy without it. Such are not true Christians. They go to another extreme. The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 565.

"I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but even this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone."—Adventist Home, p. 499

"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.

"On such occasions parents and children should feel free from care, labor, and perplexity. Parents should become children with their children, making everything as pleasant for them as possible. Let the whole day be given to recreation. Exercise in the open air for those whose employment has been withindoors and sedentary will be beneficial to health. All who can, should feel it a duty to pursue this course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained." —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 514-515.