Good Health and Temperance

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What is said of those who strive for the mastery?

 

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25.   

 

The Body and Self-Control

 

In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?

 

“No, I beat my body and make it a slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Verse 27.

 

Why are kings and rulers admonished to be under self-control?

 

“It is not for the kings O Lemuel – not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” Proverbs 31: 4,5.

 

Why were priest forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?

 

“Then the Lord said to Aaron, “You and your sons are not to drink wine of other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean.” Leviticus 10:8-10. 

Why is the indulgence in strong drink dangerous?

 

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:18.  [Debauchery means corruption]

 

For what should men eat and drink?

 

“Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at the proper time – for strength and not for drunkenness.” Ecclesiastes 10:17. 

 

God’s Early Instruction On Diet

 

“The God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it, they are to be yours for food.” Genesis 1:29.

 

Note – In other words, legumes, grains, fruit, and nuts.

 

After the Flood what other food was indicated as permissible?

 

“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” Genesis 9:3. 

 

Note – From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that because of the changed conditions resulting from the Fall and the Flood, its use was permitted. However, Noah understood the difference between the clean and the unclean animals, and a larger number of the clean beasts were housed safely in the ark. See Genesis 7:2.

 

Four Fearless Youth Test Self-Control

 

Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?

 

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”

Daniel 1:8. (See Judges 13:4.)

 

Instead of these, what did he request?

 

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” Daniel 1:12. 

 

At the end of ten days’ test, how did he and his companions appear?

 

“At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.” Verse 15.

 

At the end of their three years’ course in the school of Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?

 

“At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” Verses 18-20. 

 

Beginning and End of Drunkards

 

What warning is given against leading others into corruption?

 

“Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.” Habakkuk 2:15.  

 

What kind of professed Christians are not fellow-shipped? 

 

“But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. Such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:11. 

 

Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?

 

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nr idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9.10.  (See Revelation 21:27.)

 

For what did Paul pray?

 

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23.

 

Note – For examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12:14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:15); the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).

 

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