"Many students are deplorably ignorant of the fact that diet exerts a powerful influence upon the health. Some have never made a determined effort to control the appetite, or to observe proper rules in regard to diet. They eat too much, even at their meals, and some eat between meals whenever the temptation is presented. If those who profess to be Christians desire to solve the questions so perplexing to them, why their minds are so dull, why their religious aspirations are so feeble, they need not, in many instances, go farther than the table; here is cause enough, if there were no other. CE 184.1"
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of controlling appetite and its impact on health and spiritual life. This aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 6:12 about not being brought under the power of anything, including appetite.
"Many separate themselves from God by their indulgence of appetite. He who notices the fall of a sparrow, who numbers the very hairs of the head, marks the sin of those who indulge perverted appetite at the expense of weakening the physical powers, benumbing the intellect, and deadening the moral perceptions. CE 184.2"
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
EGW explicitly alludes to Matthew 10:29-31 by mentioning the sparrow and the numbering of hairs, using it to illustrate God's awareness of even seemingly small details, and applying it to the sin of indulging perverted appetite.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
The EGW passage discusses how indulging appetite weakens the physical and mental powers, separating individuals from God. This connects to the principle in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 about the body being the temple of God, and the consequences of defiling it.
"The teachers themselves should give proper attention to the laws of health, that they may preserve their own powers in the best possible condition, and by example as well as by precept, may exert a right influence upon their pupils. The teacher whose physical powers are already enfeebled by disease or overwork, should pay especial attention to the laws of life. He should take time for recreation. He should not take upon himself responsibility outside of his school work, which will so tax him, physically or mentally, that his nervous system will be unbalanced; for in this case he will be unfitted to deal with minds, and cannot do justice to himself or to his pupils. CE 184.3"
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of teachers caring for their own health to effectively teach and influence students. This aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 9:27 about self-discipline and keeping the body under subjection to avoid becoming a castaway.