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I don’t think most of us, when we are considering appetite consider it a temptation or a sin. We jokingly refer to the “sinful indulgence.” But, do we really consider that indulgence to be sinful? Do we consider that our victory over the temptation of appetite is the foundation of all other temptations? Do we really consider that what we put in our bodies effects our spirituality? Our daily connection with Christ?

In the book, Ministry of Healing, which is a compilation from multiple sources, all authored by Ellen G. White, the point is brought home that appetite is where Adam and Eve were tempted and fell, and appetite is how Satan has conquered the nations. Appetite was the first and primary temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. Testimonies 3.486 brings out that Christ fasted for nearly 6 weeks to bring appetite fully under control.

Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly.” And in 1 Corinthians 6:19,20, “What? Know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye were bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Below, is a selection from the book, Redemption Series #2 on this topic. I believe that God has given us a message for this time (the Health Message) which is to be the right arm of the Gospel because appetite and the control and of it is so important to the spiritual battle we are fighting! And, we are in the fight for our lives.

The Test of Probation
The Lord placed man upon probation, that he might form a character of steadfast integrity for his own happiness and for the glory of his Creator… The first moral lesson given to Adam was that of self-denial… “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Adam and Eve were permitted to partake of every tree in the garden save one. There was a single prohibition… In consequence of transgression of God’s law, Adam lost paradise. In obedience to the Father’s law, and through faith in the atoning blood of his Son, paradise may be regained… Satan was determined to succeed in his temptation of the sinless Adam and Eve. And he could reach even this holy pair more successfully through the medium of appetite than in any other way. 1
He exulted that Adam and Eve in Eden could not resist his insinuations when he appealed to their appetite. The inhabitants of the old world he overcame in the same manner, through the indulgence of lustful appetite and corrupt passions. Through the gratification of appetite, he had overthrown the Israelites. He boasted that the Son of God himself, who was with Moses and Joshua, was not able to resist his power, and lead the favored people of his choice to Canaan; for nearly all who left Egypt died in the wilderness; also, that he had tempted the meek man, Moses, to take to himself glory which God claimed. David and Solomon, who had been especially favored of God, he had induced, through the indulgence of appetite and passion, to incur God’s displeasure. And he boasted that he could yet succeed in thwarting the purpose of God in the salvation of man through Jesus Christ.2
As in his human strength man could not resist the power of Satan’s temptations, Jesus volunteered to undertake the work, and to bear the burden for man, and overcome the power of appetite in his behalf. In man’s behalf, he must show self-denial, perseverance, and firmness of principle, paramount to the gnawing pangs of hunger. He must show a power of control stronger than hunger and even death. When Christ bore the test of temptation upon the point of appetite, he did not stand in beautiful Eden, as did Adam, with the light and love of God seen in everything his eye rested upon; but he was in a barren, desolate wilderness, surrounded with wild beasts. Everything around him was repulsive. With these surroundings, he fasted forty days and forty nights, “and in those days he did eat nothing.” He was emaciated through long fasting, and felt the keenest sense of hunger. His visage was indeed marred more than the sons of men.

Christ thus entered upon his life of conflict to overcome the mighty foe, in bearing the very test which Adam failed to endure, that, through successful conflict, he might break the power of Satan, and redeem the race from the disgrace of the fall. All was lost when Adam yielded to the power of appetite. The Redeemer, in whom both the human and the divine were united, stood in Adam’s place, and endured a terrible fast of nearly six weeks. The length of this fast is the strongest evidence of the great sinfulness of debased appetite, and the power it has upon the human family.3 Health, truth, and happiness, can never be advanced without an intelligent knowledge of, and full obedience to, the law of God, and perfect faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord uses no other medium through which to reach the human heart. Many professed Christians acknowledge that in the use of tobacco they are indulging a filthy, expensive, and hurtful practice. But they excuse themselves by saying that the habit is formed and they cannot overcome it. In this acknowledgement they yield homage to Satan, saying, by their actions, if not in words, that, “Although God is powerful, Satan has greater power.” By profession they say, “We are the servants of Jesus Christ,” while their works say that they yield subjection to Satan’s sway because it costs them the least inconvenience. Is this overcoming as Christ overcame? Or is it being overcome by temptation? And the above apology is urged by men in the ministry, who profess to be Christ’s ambassadors. Many are the temptations and besetments on every side to ruin the prospects of young men, both for this world and the next. But the only path of safety is for young and old to live in strict conformity to the principles of physical and moral law. The path of obedience is the only path that leads to Heaven. Alcohol and tobacco inebriates would, at times, give any amount of money if they could by so doing overcome their appetite for these body and soul-destroying indulgences. And they who will not subject the appetites and passions to the control of reason, will indulge them at the expense of physical and moral obligations. The victims of a depraved appetite, goaded on by Satan’s continual temptations, will seek indulgence at the expense of health and even life, and will go to the bar of God as self-murderers. Many have so long allowed habit to master them that they have become slaves to appetite. They have not the moral courage to persevere in self-denial, and to endure suffering for a time through restraint and denial of the taste, in order to master the vice. This class refuse to overcome as did their Redeemer. Did not Christ endure physical suffering and mental anguish on man’s account in the wilderness? Many have so long allowed appetite and taste to control reason that they have not moral power to persevere in self-denial, and endure suffering for a time, until abused nature can take up her work, and healthy action be established in the system. Very many with perverted tastes shrink at the thought of restricting their diet, and they continue their unhealthful indulgences. They are not willing to overcome as did their Redeemer.4 No amount of money can buy a single victory over the temptations of Satan. But that which money is valueless to obtain, which is integrity, determined effort, and moral power, will, through the name of Christ, obtain noble victories upon the point of appetite. What if the conflict should cost man even his life? What if the slaves to these vices do really die in the struggle to free themselves from the controlling power of appetite? they die in a good cause. And if the victory be gained at the cost of human life, it is not too dearly earned if the victor can come up in the first resurrection, and have the overcomer’s reward. Everything, then, is gained. But life will not be sacrificed in the struggle to overcome depraved appetites. And it is a certainty that unless we do overcome as Christ overcame we cannot have a seat with him upon his throne. Those who in the face of light and truth destroy mental, moral, and physical health by indulgence of any kind will lose Heaven. They sacrifice their God-given powers to idols. God deserves and claims our first and loftiest thoughts, and our holiest affections. At an infinite cost, Christ our Redeemer has purchased every faculty and our very existence, and all our blessings in life have been purchased for us with the price of his blood. Shall we accept the blessings, and forget the claims of the Giver? Can any of us consent to follow our inclination, indulge appetites and passions, and live without God? Shall we eat and drink like the beast, and no more associate the thought of God with every good we enjoy than the dumb animals? Those who make determined efforts in the name of the Conqueror to overcome every unnatural craving of appetite will not die in the conflict. In their efforts to control appetite, they are placing themselves in right relation to life, so that they may enjoy health and the favor of God, and have a right hold on the immortal life.5

1 Redemption; or The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. (1877). (pp. 14–15). Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
2 Redemption; or The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. (1877). (p. 32). Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.

3 Redemption; or The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. (1877). (pp. 35–36). Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
4 Redemption; or The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. (1877). (pp. 77–79). Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.

5 Redemption; or The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. (1877

As I conclude, there is much more to be said on this subject. But, for now, I want to be like Daniel and his three friends, who purposed in their hearts to do nothing to dishonor God. They drew a line in the sand with their diet, knowing that all else would follow that decision. God honored them and God will honor us, too.

I encourage each of us to search our hearts and our lives: are we submitting ourselves, body and spirit to the Lord? Let us do so with a sense of urgent diligence.