"Boys begin the use of tobacco at a very early age. The habit thus formed when body and mind are especially susceptible to its effects, undermines the physical strength, dwarfs the body, stupefies the mind, and corrupts the morals. MH 329.1"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
The EGW passage discusses the harmful effects of tobacco on the body, especially in youth, which aligns with the principle that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect.
"But what can be done to teach children and youth the evils of a practice of which parents, teachers, and ministers set them the example? Little boys, hardly emerged from babyhood, may be seen smoking their cigarettes. If one speaks to them about it, they say, “My father uses tobacco.” They point to the minister or the Sunday-school superintendent and say, “Such a man smokes; what harm for me to do as he does?” Many workers in the temperance cause are addicted to the use of tobacco. What power can such persons have to stay the progress of intemperance? MH 329.2"
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
The passage highlights the negative impact of setting a bad example, especially for those in positions of influence, echoing the principle that those who break the least commandment and teach others to do so will be least in the kingdom of heaven.
"I appeal to those who profess to believe and obey the word of God: Can you as Christians indulge a habit that is paralyzing your intellect and robbing you of power rightly to estimate eternal realities? Can you consent daily to rob God of service which is His due, and to rob your fellow men, both of service you might render and of the power of example? MH 329.3"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
The passage questions whether Christians can indulge in habits that harm their intellect and service to God, aligning with the principle that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are bought with a price, therefore we should glorify God in our bodies.
"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."
The passage speaks to robbing God of service, which aligns with the principle that no man lives to himself, and we are to live unto the Lord.