We believe God created man perfect. Body, soul, and spirit belong to the Lord. It is His will that mankind should rejoice in spiritual, mental, and physi­cal health. Therefore, it is our duty to observe the divine health principles, not only for our own health, but also to be better able to serve mankind.
Luke 9:2 – And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 – And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
“The health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. It is as closely connected with the third angel’s message as the hand is with the body.” – Counsels on Health, pp. 20, 21.
When the Creator prescribed man’s diet in paradise, He showed what is the best foundation for human nourishment-plant foods. Grains, fruits, and nuts were the diet chosen by our Creator.
Vegetables were added later. Genesis 3:18. Therefore, we abstain from every type of flesh (fowl, fish, or any other). Furthermore, we avoid alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages (such as cola drinks), strong spices, sharp cheese, coffee, black tea, tobacco, and every kind of narcotics. We advise against the combination of milk and sugar.
Genesis 1:29 – And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 – 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.
As Advent believers, we have also received much light through the testimonies of the Spirit of Prophecy concerning the preservation of our health. First of all, we should keep our bodies healthy through healthful foods, which were prescribed for the first human pair, and use of natural remedies. How­ever, if because of external, unhealthful influences, prior improper life habits, stress or other factors of modern living, we become ill and in need of medical help, we should, as much as possible, seek a believing physician. Especially in such situations, we can trust in the promise that the Lord God is our Physician and really can help and heal. Medications s! hould be used only when absolutely necessary and with caution. Exodus 15:26.
“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power-these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them.” – The Ministry of Healing, p. 127.
As Advent believers, we are also reformers in dress. We should not wear extravagant or unhealthful clothing, extreme fashions which violate standards of modesty and contribute directly to the spread of immoral conditions, or unhealthful footwear.
1 Timothy 2:9, 10 – In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Peter 3:3-5 – Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.
Isaiah 3:16-24 – Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
Outward adornment, which draws attention to the wearer, does not honor God.
1 Corinthians 11:14, 15 – Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
When Jesus’ love is in his heart, every believer will be an example in these things.