From Heaven With Love

Intemperance Corrupts Morals

In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature have been most effectual in corrupting mankind. Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental and moral powers. Thus it becomes impossible for men to appreciate things of eternal worth. Through sensual indulgence Satan seeks to blot from the soul every trace of likeness to God. HLv 74.2

Christ declares that before His second coming the condition of the world will be as in the days before the Flood, and as in Sodom and Gomorrah. To us should come home the lesson of the Saviour's fast. Only by the inexpressible anguish Christ endured can we estimate the evil of unrestrained indulgence. Our only hope of eternal life is through bringing our appetites and passions into subjection to the will of God. HLv 74.3

In our own strength it is impossible to deny the clamors of our fallen nature. But by passing over the ground man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to overcome. He would not have us intimidated and discouraged. “Be of good cheer,” He says; “I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. HLv 74.4

Let him who is struggling against the power of appetite look to the Saviour in the wilderness of temptation. See Him in His agony upon the cross, as He exclaimed, “I thirst.” His victory is ours. HLv 74.5

“The prince of this world cometh,” said Jesus, “and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Nothing in Him responded to Satan's sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold on the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. HLv 75.1

How this is accomplished, Christ has shown us. By what means did Christ overcome Satan? By the Word of God. “It is written,” He said. And every promise in God's Word is ours. See 2 Peter 1:4. When assailed by temptation, look to the power of the Word. All its strength is yours. See Psalms 119:11; 17:4. HLv 75.2