Ellen Chat Conversation

Fasting is not just about going without food; it is about changing what we focus on. The most important kind of fasting is to stop eating spicy or heavy foods that excite the body and instead eat very simple, healthy food (MM 283). This helps us think less about our physical hunger and more about God, which gives us more spiritual strength (20MR 106.1). Fasting is very important because it helps us control our desires. Jesus fasted for a long time to show us that we can only overcome temptation by controlling our appetite (CD 167).

If we don't control what we eat, it can be hard to understand sacred things or make good choices (CD 167.1). For some people, fasting for one day a week can actually be better for their health than taking medicine (KC 145.1). If you find it hard to stop eating completely, you do not always have to go without all food. You can choose to eat very plain, simple meals instead of the foods you usually enjoy (13MR 330.2).

This still counts as a "true fast" because it shows you are trying to put God first (CD 188.3). It is better to eat sparingly of simple food than to give up and eat whatever you want (CD 188). When a person plans to fast but fails, it is often because their mind is not yet strong enough to resist the feeling of hunger (CD 167).

To succeed, you need to use your willpower and ask for God's grace to help you (CD 167.2). Building the "walls of self-control" takes practice, and we should try not to let those walls be broken down even once (CD 167).

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The focus of fasting is not on a rigid rule about food, but on the condition of the heart and the spirit. If a person plans to fast but finds they cannot go without food entirely, it is not necessarily a sin. God is more concerned with a person's sincere desire to humble themselves and seek His wisdom than He is with the outward act of not eating (14MR 101.2). True fasting is about a "broken and contrite spirit" rather than just following a schedule (14MR 101.2). Fasting is not meant to be a form of self-punishment or a way to "afflict the soul" through physical suffering alone (1SM 99.1).

If you find it difficult to stop eating completely on the day you planned, you can choose to eat a very plain and simple diet instead of the foods you usually enjoy (13MR 330.2). This type of self-denial is still a way to show God that you are serious about seeking Him and is often more helpful than trying to force a total fast that leads to failure (13MR 330.2). The real danger is not in eating a simple meal when you planned to fast, but in having a heart that is "estranged from God" (2T 145.1).

Fasting and prayer do not have value if a person continues in a "wrong course of action" or treats others unkindly (2T 145.1). God defines the most acceptable fast as one where we turn away from wickedness, help those who are suffering, and share what we have with the hungry (EA 173.1). Instead of worrying about the sin of "breaking" a fast, focus on the "inward work of grace" (14MR 101.2).

If you are unable to complete a total fast, use that day to practice "genuine humiliation" and "earnest prayer" while eating only what is necessary for health (13MR 330.2). God will graciously receive anyone who humbles their heart before Him, regardless of whether they were able to go the whole day without food (14MR 101.2).

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Making decisions regarding health and diet requires a firm commitment to principle, as it is easy to be misled by one's own appetite or the influence of others. Some individuals may acknowledge the light of health reform and walk in it for a time, but they fail because they are not steadfast in their decisions (PH011 76.1). When people are not fully settled in their positions, they often choose to eat and drink whatever they please, which can lead to a state where they are essentially deceiving themselves about the impact of their choices on their spiritual and physical health (CD 244.2). A significant danger in making these decisions is the tendency to frame excuses for a perverted appetite. If a person's primary focus remains on unhealthful foods, they will find ways to justify their diet rather than seeking to understand God's will (KC 69.1).

This lack of firm denial can lead to a life of "heedless folly," where the individual is easily swayed by powerful temptations to gratify their inclinations instead of following the path of safety (TSDF 193.6). Furthermore, the influence of leaders and parents plays a major role in whether others are deceived or encouraged in wrong habits. When those in responsible positions fail to be true to health principles, others use their example as an excuse for their own indulgence (PH011 76.1). Parents can also deceive themselves into wondering why their children are morally weak, while they are simultaneously providing a diet that strengthens animal passions and lessens spiritual power (TSDF 60).

Ultimately, the decision to follow health reform is a religious duty that should not be treated as unimportant. Failing to take a decided stand can lead to a "fearful injury" of the self and a misunderstanding of how temperance relates to the work of salvation (Ev 265.2). To avoid being deceived by a perverted appetite, one must bear a "decided testimony" against such indulgences and choose the simple, healthful foods that God has provided in abundance (CD 401.3).

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Making important life decisions requires a clear mind and a strong connection to God. While you are asking about decisions outside of fasting, the principles of self-control and clarity remain the same. When a person is thoroughly converted, they seek to align every part of their life with God's will, which includes abandoning any habit that might cloud their judgment or weaken their moral strength (TSDF 90.2). If our physical habits are not in order, it becomes much harder to make wise choices in other areas of life because our mental and spiritual powers are diminished (Ev 265.2). Many people make the mistake of thinking that their daily habits and their spiritual decisions are separate, but they are actually deeply connected (BTS July 1, 1902, par. 6).

To make the best decisions, one must practice temperance in all things, which serves as a foundation for spiritual growth and clear thinking (T15 33.4). When we shun the "cross" of self-denial in small things, we often find ourselves lacking the strength to follow God's guidance in the bigger decisions of life (TSDF 141). Ultimately, the goal of every decision should be to honor God. Whether a decision is about your career, your family, or your personal path, the Bible's instruction to do all things to the glory of God applies (Te 237.4).

By maintaining a simple and disciplined lifestyle, you preserve your system in the best condition to hear God's voice and avoid the "heedless folly" that comes from making choices based on temporary feelings or worldly pressure (20MR 374.2).

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When seeking to make important life decisions, the combination of earnest prayer and a careful observation of God's providence is essential for finding the right path. God does not work in a random or haphazard way; instead, He uses prayer to impress the human mind and provide clear guidance (Pr 222). When an individual has a sincere desire to do God's will rather than following their own selfish plans, the Lord promises to hear and answer their petitions (DG 107.3). This spiritual connection allows a person to move forward with confidence, even when circumstances appear discouraging or difficult (DG 107.3).

A vital part of decision-making is learning to recognize "providential openings," which are opportunities that God places in our path. We are encouraged to be "wide-awake" and to ask for "heavenly eyesalve" so that we can clearly see and sense these opportunities as they arise (9T 130.3). Following God's providence requires us to be quick to discern every opening and to make the most of every advantage within our reach (Ev 62.3). Sometimes, God even brings specific people or situations directly to us to help us fulfill His purposes, and we must be careful not to fail in recognizing His hand at work (TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 10).

True guidance comes when we "watch and wait and pray," allowing both Providence and the Word of God to lead us through life's perplexities (11MR 348.1). The Lord will assuredly guide those who are willing to let His will interfere with their own personal desires and plans (CH 547.1). By relying on God's infinite power rather than finite human wisdom, we can find a sense of perfect peace while navigating complex choices (DG 107.3).

Ultimately, as we walk in His counsel, doors of opportunity will open that align our work with His divine plan (CH 547.1).

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Distinguishing between the voice of God and our own personal impressions requires a careful study of the three primary ways the Lord reveals His will. The first and most essential method is through the Holy Scriptures, which serve as the foundational standard for all guidance (5T 512.1). If an individual is in doubt about any subject or impression, their first duty is to consult the Word of God to see if the impression aligns with divine truth (5T 512.2). The second way God communicates is through His providential workings in our daily lives (5T 512.1).

However, the ability to recognize these openings depends on our spiritual condition; if we choose to follow our own wills or the promptings of an unsanctified heart, our spiritual senses can become so confused that we might mistake the voice of the enemy for the voice of God (5T 512.1). To avoid this deception, one must maintain a close connection with the Lord rather than walking in a self-chosen path (5T 512.1). A third way the divine voice is heard is through the direct appeals of the Holy Spirit making impressions upon the heart (MYP 156.4).

These impressions are intended to be reflected in a person's character and conduct (5T 512.2). For these impressions to be reliable, a person must be truly consecrated, having a sincere desire to be pliable in God's hands and willing to follow wherever He leads (5T 512.2). There is a significant danger in becoming spiritually distant from God, as this distance makes it difficult to hear His instructions clearly. When we are far from Him, we may only hear a faint echo of His voice rather than the clear direction He intends to give (3MR 365.1).

Without active spiritual advancement and a deep appreciation for His messages, we risk stumbling in uncertainty because we lack the discernment to recognize the light God is trying to provide (3MR 365.1).

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While the Bible is presented as a harmonious and perfect chain of truth, there is an acknowledgment that certain human elements have impacted the text over time. During periods when copies of the Scriptures were scarce, some learned individuals made changes to specific words (1SG 117.1). These alterations were often made with the intention of making the text clearer; however, the result was frequently the opposite, as these changes tended to reflect the personal traditions and established views of the translators rather than the original meaning (BEcho December 20, 1897, par. 9). Despite these instances where men attempted to "mystify that which was plain," the overall integrity of the Word of God has been especially guarded by divine providence (1SG 117.1).

The Bible remains a reliable guide because one portion of Scripture explains another, creating a consistent message that leads to life (BEcho December 20, 1897, par. 9). The Holy Spirit is also promised to every sincere seeker to help them navigate the text and understand the way of salvation, ensuring that no one needs to err because of these human mistakes (1SG 117.1). A significant challenge in understanding the Bible comes from false interpretations and "erroneous teachings of popular theology" that arose during historical periods of spiritual darkness (SW November 12, 1907, par. 11).

Many people mistakenly attribute these human errors and inconsistencies to the Bible itself, when they are actually the result of traditions adopted over centuries (SW November 12, 1907, par. 11). Furthermore, some individuals stumble because they focus on difficult passages that are currently beyond human comprehension, allowing a few unexplainable texts to shake their faith in the entire structure of truth (T09 21.2). Ultimately, the Bible provides a correct and honest record of the religious experiences of its characters, including their failures and sins (T26 7.1).

This transparency is intended to encourage believers today, showing that even those who were favored by God were erring mortals who needed divine grace to overcome their faults (T26 7.1). Rather than being discouraged by difficult passages or historical changes, students of the Word are encouraged to rely on the "harmonious, glorious chain of truth" that God has preserved.

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