Health and Temperance

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). “Both mental and spiritual vigor are in great degree
dependent upon physical strength and activity; whatever promotes physical health promotes the development of a
strong mind and a well-balanced character.”—Ed 195. 146 CHURCH MANUAL
For this reason, we live intelligently in accordance with health principles of physical exercise, respiration, sunshine,
pure air, use of water, sleep, and rest. By conviction we choose to eat healthfully, wear suitable clothing, practice
cleanliness, engage in proper recreation, and freely choose to follow the principles of health, self-control, and
wholesome diet. Therefore we abstain from all forms of alcohol, tobacco, and addictive drugs. We strive to preserve
our physical and psychological balance by avoiding any excess.
Health reform and the teaching of health and temperance are inseparable parts of the Church’s message. Instruction
came to us through the Lord’s messenger “that those who are keeping His commandments must be brought into
sacred relationship to Himself, and that by temperance in eating and drinking they must keep mind and body in the
most favorable condition for service.”—CH 132. Also, “it is the Lord’s design that the restoring influence of health
reform shall be a part of the last great effort to proclaim the gospel message.”—MM 259.
We belong to God, body, soul, and spirit. It is therefore our religious duty to observe the laws of health, both for our
own well-being and happiness and for more efficient service to God and society. We must keep our appetites under
control. God has furnished us with a liberal variety of foods sufficient to satisfy every dietary need. “Fruits, grains,
and vegetables, prepared in a simple way, . . . make, with milk or cream, the most healthful diet.”—CD 92.
When we practice the principles of healthful living, we will not feel the need for stimulants. Nature’s law forbids our
use of intoxicants and narcotics of any kind. From the early days of this movement abstinence from the use of liquor
and tobacco has been a condition of membership. (See pp. 46, 48, 62, 93, 170.)
God has given us great light on the principles of health, and modern scientific research has abundantly verified these
principles.
Dress
As Seventh-day Adventist Christians we have been called out from the world. Our religion must have a molding
influence on all our activities. Our habits must stem from principle and not from the example of the world. Customs
and fashions may change, but principles of right conduct remain the same. Early in our history Ellen G. White wrote
that the purpose of Christian dress is “to protect the people of God from the corrupting STANDARDS OF
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influence of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health.”—
4T 634. She also counsels that we should avoid gaudy display and profuse ornamentation, fads and extreme
fashions, particularly those transgressing the laws of modesty, and that our clothing should be, when possible, “of
good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service” “rather than display.” Our attire should be characterized by
modesty, “beauty,” “grace,” and “appropriateness of natural simplicity.”—MYP 351, 352.
The people of God should always be found among the conservatives in dress, and will not let “the dress question fill
the mind.”—Ev 273.
“To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith.”—
3T 366. It is clearly taught in the Scriptures that the wearing of jewelry is contrary to the will of God. The apostle
Paul admonishes us to dress ourselves “in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or
gold or pearls or costly clothing” (1 Tim. 2:9). The wearing of ornaments of jewelry is a bid for attention not in
keeping with Christian self-forgetfulness.
In some countries and cultures the custom of wearing the wedding ring is considered imperative, having become, in
the minds of the people, a criterion of virtue, and hence it is not regarded as an ornament. Under such circumstances
we do not condemn the practice.
Let us remember that it is not outward adornment that expresses true Christian character, but “the hidden person of
the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1
Peter 3:3, 4). We should avoid the use of cosmetics not in keeping with good taste and the principles of Christian
modesty.
We should observe cleanliness and Christlike deportment as we seek at all times to please and rightly represent
Christ our Lord. Christian parents by example, instruction, and authority should lead their sons and daughters to
attire themselves modestly, and thus win the respect and confidence of those who know them. Let us consider
ourselves well dressed only when we meet the demands of modesty by wearing tasteful, conservative clothing.

Simplicity
Simplicity has been a fundamental feature of the Church from its beginning. We must continue to be a people called
to live a simple life. Increase of pomp in religion always parallels a decline in spiritual power. As “the life of Jesus
presented a marked contrast” to the display and ostentation of His time (Ed 77), so the simplicity and power of our
message must be in marked contrast to the worldly display of our day. The Lord 148 CHURCH MANUAL
condemns “needless, extravagant expenditure of money to gratify pride and love of display.”—TM 179. In harmony
with these principles, simplicity and economy should characterize our graduating exercises, our weddings, and all
other church services.
Modern Media
Like our bodies, our inner beings need wholesome nourishment for renewal and strengthening (2 Cor. 4:6). Our
minds are the measure of our persons. Food for our minds is of the utmost importance in developing character and in
carrying out our life’s purposes. For this reason we should carefully evaluate our mental habits. What we choose to
read, hear, and watch, whether by book or magazine, radio or television, the Internet, or other modern media shapes
and impacts our character.
Books and other literature are among the most valuable means of education and culture, but these must be well
chosen and rightly used. There is a wealth of good literature, but equally there is a flood of literature, often in most
attractive guise, that damages minds and morals. The tales of wild adventure and of moral laxness, whether fact or
fiction, however presented, are unfit for Christians of any age.
“Those who indulge the habit of racing through an exciting story are simply crippling their mental strength and
disqualifying their minds for vigorous thought and research.”—CT 135. Along with other evil results from the habit
of reading fiction, we are told that “it unfits the soul to contemplate the great problems of duty and destiny” and
“creates a distaste for life’s practical duties.”—CT 383.
Radio, television, and the Internet have changed the whole atmosphere of our modern world and have brought us
within easy contact with the life, thought, and activities of the entire globe. They can be great educational agencies
through which we can enlarge our knowledge of world events and enjoy important discussions and the best in music.
Unfortunately, however, modern mass media also can bring to their audiences almost continuous theatrical and other
performances with influences that are neither wholesome nor uplifting. If we are not discriminating, they will bring
sordid programs right into our homes.
Safety for ourselves and our children is found in a determination, by God’s help, to follow the admonition of the
apostle Paul: “Finally . . . whatever things are true . . . noble . . . just . . . pure . . . lovely . . . of good report, if there is
any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). STANDARDS OF
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Recreation and Entertainment
Recreation is a purposeful refreshing of the powers of body and mind. A vigorous, wholesome mind will not require
worldly amusement but will find a renewal of strength in good recreation.
“Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same
end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying
souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating
display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers
of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or
appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains
about the soul.”—PP 459, 460. (See p. 170.)
We must avoid anything that dramatizes, graphically presents, or suggests the sins and crimes of humanity—murder,
adultery, robbery, and similar evils, which to a large degree are responsible for the breakdown of morality. Instead,
we should find delight in God’s great world of nature and in the romance of human agencies and divine workings.
Social dancing is another form of amusement with an evil influence. “The amusement of dancing . . . is a school of
depravity, a fearful curse to society.”—MYP 399. (See 2 Cor. 6:15-18; 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4;
2 Tim. 2:19-22; Eph. 5:8-11; Col. 3:5-10.)
Recreation is essential. But instead of joining the multitudes who are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”
(2 Tim. 3:4), we should endeavor to make our friendships and recreations both Christ-centered and church-centered.
Music
“Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to
awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.”—PP 594. Jesus “held communion with heaven in song.”—DA
73.
Music is one of the highest arts. Good music not only gives us pleasure but elevates our minds and cultivates our
finest qualities. God often has used spiritual songs to touch the hearts of sinners and lead to repentance. 150
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On the contrary, debased music breaks down morality and draws us away from our relationship with God.
We should exercise great care in the choice of music in our homes, social gatherings, schools, and churches. Any
melody partaking of the nature of jazz, rock, or related hybrid forms, or any language expressing foolish or trivial
sentiments, will be shunned. (See pp. 94, 99, 149.)
Conclusion
Standing amid the perils of the last days, bearing the responsibility of speedily carrying the last offer of salvation to
the world, and facing a judgment that will culminate in the establishment of universal righteousness, let us
consecrate ourselves body, soul, and spirit to God, determining to maintain the high standards of living that must
characterize those who wait for the return of their Lord.