Ellen Chat Conversation

To avoid sexual temptations and maintain moral purity, one must prioritize guarding the "avenues of the soul." This involves a deliberate choice to avoid reading, seeing, or hearing anything that might suggest impure thoughts or stimulate the imagination in an unholy direction (MYP 285.2). Because the mind should not be left to wander at random, it is essential to "sentinel" the heart faithfully to prevent external evils from awakening internal desires (LYL 60). A significant factor in resisting these temptations is the practice of strict temperance, particularly in diet. There is a direct connection between the indulgence of appetite and the control of the passions; certain foods and drinks can irritate or excite the nerves, making it much harder to maintain spiritual vigor and mental clarity (CD 55.3).

By avoiding intemperate habits and choosing wholesome food, individuals can better preserve the strength of their faculties and resist the "lust of the flesh" (TSDF 115), (HR May 1, 1878, par. 14). Victory over these "bewitching temptations" is not achieved through human strength alone but through the exercise of firm principle in the name of Jesus (CD 166.3). This requires earnest prayer, unceasing watchfulness, and a diligent study of the Word of God to hide its truths within the heart (MYP 285.2).

When the habit of resistance is formed and the thoughts are brought into captivity to Christ, the struggle against temptation becomes less difficult over time (10MR 293.1). Furthermore, those in leadership or ministry are often special targets for Satan regarding sensuality and licentiousness, necessitating even greater personal vigilance (TM 526.3). For the youth and those struggling, the community should offer sympathy and patience rather than harshness, recognizing that everyone faces conflicts and needs the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit to keep the mind focused on pure and holy things (GW92 407.1), (MYP 285.2).

You might also want to explore:What did Ellen White teach about the connection between diet and moral character?How does the influence of the Holy Spirit help in controlling the imagination?What practical counsel did she give regarding the education of children in habits of self-control?

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The connection between diet and moral character is a foundational theme in Ellen White's health teachings, emphasizing that what an individual consumes directly impacts their spiritual and ethical life. She taught that there is a profound relationship between the food we eat and our physical, mental, and spiritual welfare (CD 3). Because the human body is built up from the nutrients it receives, the quality of one's diet determines the strength and clarity of the faculties used to discern right from wrong (HFM 53.3). A primary concern in her writings is the "animalizing" effect of certain foods, particularly flesh meats. She argued that a diet heavy in animal products tends to excite the lower passions, allowing them to gain ascendancy over the higher powers of the mind (5MR 408.1).

This shift in the internal balance of the being can rob individuals of essential moral qualities, such as love and sympathy for others, and weakens the overall moral power (5MR 408.1), (HFM 53.3). Furthermore, she explained that any practice which injures physical health inevitably has a corresponding negative effect on the mind and the soul (PHJ September 1, 1905, par. 9). The use of flesh meat is specifically identified as an injury to the mental and moral faculties (8MR 37).

By contrast, adopting a simple, wholesome diet of grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts is presented as a way to place oneself in a position where God can cooperate with the individual in the development of character (5MR 408.1), (CCh 20.6). Ultimately, the pursuit of Christian character perfection is linked to these lifestyle choices. As the world faces increasing physical and moral decay, she encouraged a reformation in diet to preserve the integrity of the soul (PH026 1). By denying perverted appetites and choosing a non-flesh diet, believers are better equipped to maintain the mental clarity necessary for spiritual growth and the resistance of evil (5MR 408.1), (16MR 173).

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Transitioning to a vegetarian diet requires careful planning and a commitment to quality preparation. One of the most critical pieces of advice is to ensure that the table is supplied with food that is both wisely prepared and well-cooked (TSDF 95). Without this attention to detail, the change in diet may not be sustainable or healthful (GCDB March 1, 1897, par. 15). A common reason individuals fail in this transition and return to eating meat is a lack of knowledge regarding proper substitutes (KC 135.2).

It is not enough to simply remove meat; one must understand how to replace it with nutrient-dense alternatives such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts (6T 112). When these wholesome foods are provided in abundance, the body's needs are met more effectively than with a flesh-based diet (CH 467.1). Practical education is also emphasized through the power of example. In community or large group settings, it is important to demonstrate the principles of health reform by providing appealing, meat-free meals rather than just teaching the theory (CD 443).

This "practice as well as precept" approach helps others understand that flesh is not the most healthful food and makes the transition more approachable for observers (TSDF 78). Finally, the transition should be marked by sound judgment and a rejection of rash movements. Because every family faces unique and sometimes perplexing situations when making such a change, it is vital to seek divine guidance and move with caution (2SM 361.3). Those giving advice on these matters should be aware of the practical difficulties involved and encourage individuals to rely on prayer and personal conviction rather than following a "guess" or "suppose" (2SM 362).

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To lower the sexual passions and maintain moral control, the most prominent counsel is to avoid the consumption of flesh meats. The use of animal food is described as having a direct tendency to "animalize" human nature, causing the lower propensities to gain ascendancy over the higher intellectual and moral powers (CD 390.1). This dietary habit is linked to an increase in "unconscious sensualism" because it stimulates the lower passions of the human organism while simultaneously benumbing the mind's finer sensibilities (CD 389.4), (HL 101.5).

Beyond meat, specific warnings are given regarding "stimulating foods" and "rich food" that tax the digestive system. These types of food are identified as agents that excite animal passions and weaken the moral faculties (CD 64.3), (TSDF 26.10).

For individuals or families struggling with sensual habits, even common items like eggs are recommended to be excluded from the diet because of their stimulating properties (2T 712.2). The overall objective in avoiding these foods is to prevent the development of "animalism," which wars against the soul and lessens spirituality (CD 382.3). By removing meat and heavy, stimulating dishes, the influence that deadens moral power is reduced, making it easier for the mind to understand truth and for the individual to exercise self-control (CD 389), (CD 382.3).

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