Better Habits

Background

Great Controversy Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem

the history of that favored people was a record of backsliding and rebellion. They had resisted Heaven’s grace, abused their privileges, and slighted their opportunities.

The Old Testament history of God’s favored people is a record of backsliding and rebellion. They resisted Heaven’s grace, abused their privileges, and slighted their opportunities. (The Great Controversy p. 19).

the history of that favored people was a record of backsliding and rebellion. They had resisted Heaven’s grace, abused their privileges, and slighted their opportunities.

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 19). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

God’s chosen people repeatedly mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets. () Yet God revealed Himself to be merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. ()

Despite repeated rejections the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. ()

But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets,

merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Great Controversy Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem

When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out all heaven in that one Gift.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out all heaven in that one Gift.

The Great Controversy (1911)p. 19

For three years the Lord of light and glory had gone in and out among His people. He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,” binding up the brokenhearted, setting at liberty them that were bound, restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk and the deaf to hear, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor. ; ; .

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus last month. For three and a half years the Lord of light and glory had gone in and out among His people. He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,” binding up the brokenhearted, setting at liberty them that were bound, restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk and the deaf to hear, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor. ; ; .

The Great Controversy (p. 20)

Sadly Israel turned from her best Friend and only Helper. The pleadings of His love were despised, His counsels spurned, His warnings ridiculed. (ibid)

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 19). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Great Controversy Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem

When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out all heaven in that one Gift.

But Israel had turned from her best Friend and only Helper. The pleadings of His love had been despised, His counsels spurned, His warnings ridiculed.

Jesus said “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”()

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 20). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

The New King James Version Chapter 15

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

If we fail to develop a habit of remaining in Jesus we are in danger of committing the same mistakes of the Jews in Jesus’ day.

We are in danger of claiming to observe rigidly the precepts of God’s law, while were transgressing all its principles.

While we regard ourselves as God’s favored people and expect Him to deliver us from our enemies could we be slaying our Saviour because He reproves our sins? Are we self-righteous Christians? Not willing to repent and change our ways, but still expecting salvation.

And yet, while they slew their Saviour because He reproved their sins, such was their self-righteousness that they regarded themselves as God’s favored people and expected the Lord to deliver them from their enemies.

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Vol. 5, p. 27). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Ellen White indicates that a crucial factor in discovering truth is a lifestyle dedicated to following fully the light that God has already given to the interpreter.

She indicates that a crucial factor in discovering truth is a lifestyle dedicated to following fully the light that God has already given to the interpreter.

Damsteegt, G. P. (1996). Ellen White, Lifestyle, and Scripture Interpretation. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 7(2), 34.

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Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, Volume 7, Number 2, Autumn 1996 The Impact of Lifestyle on Spiritual Discernment

Ellen White presents the view that there exists an intimate relationship between the condition of the body and spiritual discernment. Said she, “Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong.” This means that “every wrong habit which injures the health of the body, reacts in effect upon the mind.”2 For the correct understanding of Bible truth we “need clear, energetic minds.” Wrong lifestyle habits weaken the “intellectual powers.” By contrast, “right physical habits promote mental superiority. Intellectual power, physical strength, and longevity depend upon immutable laws.”4

Ellen White presents the view that there exists an intimate relationship between the condition of the body and spiritual discernment. Said she, “Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 346) This means that “every wrong habit which injures the health of the body, reacts in effect upon the mind.” (Healthful Living, p. 195.) For the correct understanding of Bible truth we “need clear, energetic minds.” Wrong lifestyle habits weaken the “intellectual powers.” (Testimonies for the Church, 2:66) By contrast, “right physical habits promote mental superiority. Intellectual power, physical strength, and longevity depend upon immutable laws.” (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 29.)

Damsteegt, G. P. (1996). Ellen White, Lifestyle, and Scripture Interpretation. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 7(2), 35.

“True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562.)

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562.)

(1996). Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 7(2).

And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat. These changes should be made cautiously, and the subject should be treated in a manner not calculated to disgust and prejudice those whom we would teach and help.

And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat. These changes should be made cautiously, and the subject should be treated in a manner not calculated to disgust and prejudice those whom we would teach and help.

Testimonies for the Church. (1855). (Vol. 2, p. 370). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

There is an intimate relation between the mind and the body, and in order to reach a high standard of moral and intellectual attainment the laws that control our physical being must be heeded. To secure a strong, well-balanced character, both the mental and the physical powers must be exercised and developed.

White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets p. 601

Overwork, lack of rest is detrimental to your health, to your emotional health, to your relationships,

We shall advance in true spiritual knowledge only as we realize our own littleness and our entire dependence upon God; but all who come to the Bible with a teachable and prayerful spirit, to study its utterances as the word of God, will receive divine enlightenment.

Testimonies for the Church. (1855). (Vol. 5, p. 704). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

2 Healthful Living, p. 195.

Bible study is not so much about access to Bible commentaries, but rather about living according to the light you have received while searching for more. Humbly coming tot he word of God asking Him for guidance. You must be honest with yourself and sincere with God. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. () Don’t study the Bible like you would a work of literature, rather read it as you would a letter form someone who loves you, as someone you love more than anything, more than life itself. Expect God to reveal to you the truths He would have you learn, and be willing to live according to the light you will receive from His word.

3 Testimonies for the Church, 2:66

Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 346

4 Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 29.

Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 29.

Testimonies for the Church, 2:66

Healthful Living, p. 195.