Sermon Tone Analysis

You are what you 8

The health message

To the delegates of the General Conference session of 1909, Ellen White wrote:

"The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper.

If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright, moral character will be hindered.

The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach.

Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting" (9T 160).

“Our physical health is maintained by that which we eat; if our appetites are not under the control of a sanctified mind, if we are not temperate in all our eating and drinking, we shall not be in a state of mental and physical soundness to study the word with a purpose to learn what saith the Scripture --what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Any unhealthful habit will produce an unhealthful condition in the system, and the delicate, living machinery of the stomach will be injured, and will not be able to do its work properly.

The diet has much to do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” (Ms 129, 1901 in CD 52)

“The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character.

Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers.

His success here means the surrender to evil of the whole being.

The tendencies of our physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death” (MH 130).