(Genesis 3:21; 1 John 4:8; Corinthians 10:31)
3 John 2 – “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and BE IN HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth.”
“…Become more intelligent in regard to the laws of life…” {11MR 187.3}
“…Educate people in regard to the laws of life …” {GCDB, January 30, 1893 par. 2}
“…EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE…” {6MR 379.1}
WHY?
“…Educate people in the laws of life so that they may know how to preserve health…” {MM 259.3)
“True religion and the laws of health go hand in hand…” (7T 137.1)
“…In violating the laws of health…you misrepresent your maker…” {KC 20.4}
“…It is the duty of every person, for his own sake, and for the sake of humanity, to inform himself in regard to the laws of life and conscientiously to obey them…” (MH 128.1)
“Too little attention is generally given to the preservation of health. It is far better to prevent disease than to know how to treat it when contracted...” {MH 128.1)
BIBLE:
Proverbs 26:2 – “...the curse causeless shall not come. “
“Disease never comes without a cause. The way is prepared, and disease invited, by disregard of the laws of health…” (MH 234.1)
Job 29:16 – “...the cause which I knew not I searched out.”
***Note: Find out which law of health has been violated, remove the violation, offer a prayer of faith and then sit back and see the glory of God.
SOP:
“When the abuse of health is carried so far that sickness results, the sufferer can often do for himself what no one else can do for him. The first thing to be done is to ascertain the true character of the sickness and then go to work intelligently to remove the cause...”
(MH 235.1)
“IN eating, drinking, and DRESSING, the laws of health should be diligently followed…” (CE 124.1)
“Women especially are the victims of various maladies which might be lessened, if not entirely prevented, by right habits of life. Half their sufferings may be attributed to their manner of dress, and the insane desire to conform to the fashions of the world.” {HL 64.4}
“The fashionable style of woman’s dress is one of the greatest causes of all these terrible diseases.” {HL 64.2}
WHAT TYPES OF FASHION HINDER A PERFECT CIRCULATION?
The answers to these questions will be the answer to more than half the sufferings in women.
“EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE....IN THE DRESS...” {TSA 87.2}
“All should have an intelligent knowledge of the human frame that they may keep their bodies in the condition necessary to do the work of the Lord. The physical life is to be carefully preserved and developed that through humanity the divine nature may be revealed in its fullness. The relation of the physical organism to the spiritual life is one of the most important branches of education. It should receive careful attention in the home and in the school. All need to become acquainted with their physical structure and the laws that control natural life. He who remains in willing ignorance of the laws of his physical being and who violates them through ignorance is sinning against God. All should place themselves in the best possible relation to life and health...“Know ye not,” says the apostle Paul, “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.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. {COL 348.1-.2}
“God calls upon us to stand upon the broad platform of temperance in eating, drinking, and DRESSING…” (CG 409.4)
“In the education…they should be taught that the habits of…DRESSING which have been formed after the world's standard are not in accordance with the laws of health and life, and must be held in control by reason and intellect…” (CG 392.2)
“Nothing that pertains to physical perfection should be looked upon as of little importance. In eating, drinking, and DRESSING, the laws of health should be diligently followed…” (CE 124.1)
WHY?
“Eating, drinking, and DRESSING all have a direct bearing upon our spiritual advancement.”
{CD 57.2}
“Our words, our actions, and our DRESS are daily living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest…” {4T 641.3}
“…The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer…” {4T 641.3}
WHY?
“…True sanctification…requires that our habits of eating, drinking, and DRESSING be such as to secure the preservation of physical, mental, and moral health, that we may present to the Lord our bodies,--not an offering corrupted by wrong habits, but “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” {CD 57.6}
“Disease of every type is brought upon the body through the unhealthful fashionable style of dress, and the fact should be made prominent that a reform must take place before treatment will effect a cure…” {4T 582.2}
WHAT INFLUENCE DOES OUR DRESS HAVE OVER UNBELIEVERS?
“…Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of Godliness dressing as worldlings dress…they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course.” {4T 641.3}
“Perilous times are before us...the enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him...we must follow the directions given through the Spirit of Prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time…the warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer?” {8T 298.1}
“...I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God's people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that they are ignorant of their true condition. The true witness thus describes their blindness...” {3T 255.3}
“Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warnings and reproofs which keep their sins before them...those who are reproved by the spirit of God should not rise up against…it is God, and not an erring mortal who has spoken to save them from ruin. Those who despise the warning will be left in blindness to become self-deceived...” {3T 256.3-257.1}
“...THE TESTIMONY OF THE TRUE WITNESS IS NOT A SMOOTH MESSAGE...” {3T 257.2}
“God leads his people on step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer…if the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: “God will bring his work closer and closer to test and prove every one of his people.” Some are willing to receive one point, but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus...individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the true witness…if any will not be purified through obeying the truth...the angels of God have the charge: “They are joined to their idols, let them alone,” and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the true witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation…” (1T 187.1)
“…Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of Godliness dressing as worldlings dress…they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course.” {4T 641.3}
“Perilous times are before us...the enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him...we must follow the directions given through the Spirit of Prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time…the warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer?” {8T 298.1}
“...I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God's people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that they are ignorant of their true condition. The true witness thus describes their blindness...” {3T 255.3}
“Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warnings and reproofs which keep their sins before them...those who are reproved by the spirit of God should not rise up against…it is God, and not an erring mortal who has spoken to save them from ruin. Those who despise the warning will be left in blindness to become self-deceived...” {3T 256.3-257.1}
“...THE TESTIMONY OF THE TRUE WITNESS IS NOT A SMOOTH MESSAGE...” {3T 257.2}
“God leads his people on step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer…if the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: “God will bring his work closer and closer to test and prove every one of his people.” Some are willing to receive one point, but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus...individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the true witness…if any will not be purified through obeying the truth...the angels of God have the charge: “They are joined to their idols, let them alone,” and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the true witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation…” (1T 187.1)
“...Elevate the standard of truth and urge the people to come up to it...it is this pointed testimony that will bring them up to decide. A peaceful testimony will not do this...God's servants must bear a pointed testimony, which will cut the natural heart and develop character...” (1T 248.2-249.2)
“If those who have been in the church for weeks and months have not learned the straightness of the way, and what it is to be Christians, and cannot hear all the straight truths of the word of God, it were better they were cut off from Israel. It is too late in the day to feed with milk. If souls a month or two old in the truth, who are about to enter the time of trouble such as never was, cannot hear all the straight truth, or endure the strong meat of the straightness of the way, how will they stand in the day of battle? Truths we have been years learning must be learned in a few months by those who now embrace the third angel's message...” (1MR 33.3)
WHAT DRESS/FASHION IS DOING TO OUR PEOPLE:
“Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline...” {4T 647.2}
“God has been testing his people. He allowed the testimony concerning dress to become silent, that our sisters might follow their own inclination and thus develop the real pride existing in their hearts....” (4T 639.3)
OUR DRESS REVEALS & DEVELOPS CHARACTER:
“We judge of a person's character by the style of dress...a refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire.” {CH 601.2}
“...Dress...reveal that which is most treasured by those who claim to be pilgrims and strangers on the earth...” (5T 188.4)
“There are few who understand their own hearts. The vain, trifling lovers of fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. The outside appearance is an index to the heart…” {CTBH 93.1}
“I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. When the exterior is hung with ribbons, collars, and needless things, it plainly shows that the love for all this is in the heart…unless such persons are cleansed from their corruption, they can never see God, for only the pure in heart will see him.” (1T 135.2)
“Dress is an index of the mind and heart. That which is hung upon the outside is the sign of what is within…” {1MCP 289.2} (1900)
“Lovers of fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. The outside appearance is an index to the heart. True refinement does not find satisfaction in the adorning of the body for display. A modest, Godly woman will dress modestly. Simplicity of apparel always makes a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. A refined, cultured mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. In the sanctified heart there is no place for thoughts of needless adornment.” {OHC 273.2}
“Sabbath-keepers, remember that the outside appearance is an index to the heart, and while you are so anxious to imitate the fashions of the world; while your heart is in these things, you are like them, you have their spirit, and have lost the truth out of your heart…” {2SG 286.2}
“Perhaps NO QUESTION has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the DRESS REFORM.” {4T 636.3}
“...He who is CONVERTED from errors IN eating, drinking, and DRESSING is being prepared to hear and to receive the truth into a good and willing heart...” (CH 221.4)
“…Evidence that the taste is really converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk the narrow path...Christians should not neglect to search the scriptures on these points. They need to understand that which the Lord of heaven appreciates even in dressing of the body...even the style of the apparel will express the truth of the gospel. Their dress bears its testimony...” {6MR 160.4-161.1}
THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE AND INWARD HEART TO BE WORKED ON AT THE SAME TIME
“There is need of putting more of the Bible precept into the DRESS, as well as the inward adorning into the character.” {DG 158.2}
WE ARE TO DRESS ACCORDING TO OUR FAITH:
“...In conversation and IN DRESS, we must represent the truth. A decided guard must be placed upon the human agents in regard to…dress...” {DG 158.1} (written in 1894)
“Our dress should be in strict accordance with the character of our holy faith...” {DG 158.2}
“...In most cases, submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress…”
{6T 96.1}
“Should not the people of God, who are his peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God...?” (HR, February 1, 1872 par. 4)
“TRUE dress reform regulates every article of clothing worn upon the person.” {PH022 2.1)
DRESS FOR HEALTH & OBEDIENCE:
“God in his wisdom has established natural laws for the proper control of our dress, our appetites, and our passions, and he requires of us obedience in every particular.” {HL 17.3} (1883)
“The transgression of physical law is the transgression of God's law...and the human being who is careless and reckless of the habits and practices that concern his physical life and health, sins against God...” {CD 43.3}
“In all respects the dress should be healthful. “Above all things,” God desires us to “be in health”--health of body and soul. And we are to be workers together with him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.” (MH 288.3)
“...There is a growing disposition to sacrifice health and the favor of God upon the altar of ever-changing, never satisfying fashion.” {4T 638.2)
WOMEN & DRESS:
“Satan knows that women have a power of influence for good or for evil; therefore he seeks to enlist them in his cause. He invents multitudinous fashions, and tempts the women of present day, as he did Eve to pluck and eat, to adopt these ever-changing, never-satisfying modes.” {WM 161.1}
“It is manifest that most women do not think and act in reference to dress from reason and reflection. They accept, without questioning, that which society and fashion imposes upon them....” {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 2} (Acts 9:6)
ASK THE LORD’S BLESSING BEFORE PURCHASING CLOTHING:
“I would ask...of today who profess to believe present truth....when they really desire an article of dress, or some ornament of convenience, do they lay the matter before the LORD in prayer to know if his spirit would sanction this expenditure of means...” {RH, December 6, 1881 par. 8} (Acts 9:6)
“If those who have been in the church for weeks and months have not learned the straightness of the way, and what it is to be Christians, and cannot hear all the straight truths of the word of God, it were better they were cut off from Israel. It is too late in the day to feed with milk. If souls a month or two old in the truth, who are about to enter the time of trouble such as never was, cannot hear all the straight truth, or endure the strong meat of the straightness of the way, how will they stand in the day of battle? Truths we have been years learning must be learned in a few months by those who now embrace the third angel's message...” (1MR 33.3)
WHAT DRESS/FASHION IS DOING TO OUR PEOPLE:
“Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline...” {4T 647.2}
“God has been testing his people. He allowed the testimony concerning dress to become silent, that our sisters might follow their own inclination and thus develop the real pride existing in their hearts....” (4T 639.3)
OUR DRESS REVEALS & DEVELOPS CHARACTER:
“We judge of a person's character by the style of dress...a refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire.” {CH 601.2}
“...Dress...reveal that which is most treasured by those who claim to be pilgrims and strangers on the earth...” (5T 188.4)
“There are few who understand their own hearts. The vain, trifling lovers of fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. The outside appearance is an index to the heart…” {CTBH 93.1}
“I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. When the exterior is hung with ribbons, collars, and needless things, it plainly shows that the love for all this is in the heart…unless such persons are cleansed from their corruption, they can never see God, for only the pure in heart will see him.” (1T 135.2)
“Dress is an index of the mind and heart. That which is hung upon the outside is the sign of what is within…” {1MCP 289.2} (1900)
“Lovers of fashion may claim to be followers of Christ, but their dress and conversation show what occupies the mind and engages the affections. The outside appearance is an index to the heart. True refinement does not find satisfaction in the adorning of the body for display. A modest, Godly woman will dress modestly. Simplicity of apparel always makes a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. A refined, cultured mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. In the sanctified heart there is no place for thoughts of needless adornment.” {OHC 273.2}
“Sabbath-keepers, remember that the outside appearance is an index to the heart, and while you are so anxious to imitate the fashions of the world; while your heart is in these things, you are like them, you have their spirit, and have lost the truth out of your heart…” {2SG 286.2}
“Perhaps NO QUESTION has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the DRESS REFORM.” {4T 636.3}
“...He who is CONVERTED from errors IN eating, drinking, and DRESSING is being prepared to hear and to receive the truth into a good and willing heart...” (CH 221.4)
“…Evidence that the taste is really converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk the narrow path...Christians should not neglect to search the scriptures on these points. They need to understand that which the Lord of heaven appreciates even in dressing of the body...even the style of the apparel will express the truth of the gospel. Their dress bears its testimony...” {6MR 160.4-161.1}
THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE AND INWARD HEART TO BE WORKED ON AT THE SAME TIME
“There is need of putting more of the Bible precept into the DRESS, as well as the inward adorning into the character.” {DG 158.2}
WE ARE TO DRESS ACCORDING TO OUR FAITH:
“...In conversation and IN DRESS, we must represent the truth. A decided guard must be placed upon the human agents in regard to…dress...” {DG 158.1} (written in 1894)
“Our dress should be in strict accordance with the character of our holy faith...” {DG 158.2}
“...In most cases, submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress…”
{6T 96.1}
“Should not the people of God, who are his peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God...?” (HR, February 1, 1872 par. 4)
“TRUE dress reform regulates every article of clothing worn upon the person.” {PH022 2.1)
DRESS FOR HEALTH & OBEDIENCE:
“God in his wisdom has established natural laws for the proper control of our dress, our appetites, and our passions, and he requires of us obedience in every particular.” {HL 17.3} (1883)
“The transgression of physical law is the transgression of God's law...and the human being who is careless and reckless of the habits and practices that concern his physical life and health, sins against God...” {CD 43.3}
“In all respects the dress should be healthful. “Above all things,” God desires us to “be in health”--health of body and soul. And we are to be workers together with him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.” (MH 288.3)
“...There is a growing disposition to sacrifice health and the favor of God upon the altar of ever-changing, never satisfying fashion.” {4T 638.2)
WOMEN & DRESS:
“Satan knows that women have a power of influence for good or for evil; therefore he seeks to enlist them in his cause. He invents multitudinous fashions, and tempts the women of present day, as he did Eve to pluck and eat, to adopt these ever-changing, never-satisfying modes.” {WM 161.1}
“It is manifest that most women do not think and act in reference to dress from reason and reflection. They accept, without questioning, that which society and fashion imposes upon them....” {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 2} (Acts 9:6)
ASK THE LORD’S BLESSING BEFORE PURCHASING CLOTHING:
“I would ask...of today who profess to believe present truth....when they really desire an article of dress, or some ornament of convenience, do they lay the matter before the LORD in prayer to know if his spirit would sanction this expenditure of means...” {RH, December 6, 1881 par. 8} (Acts 9:6)
***In all thy ways (even when you purchase clothing) acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6)
“...In the preparation of their clothing...can they seek the Lord's blessing...? It is one thing to join the church, and quite another thing to be united to Christ. Unconsecrated, world-loving professors of religion are one of the most serious causes of weakness in the church of Christ.” {RH, December 6, 1881 par. 8}
GOD’S PEOPLE TO BE SEPARATE & DISTINCT FROM THE WORLD:
“…God will have a people separate and distinct from the world. And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children. They are the children of the world and of darkness...” (1T 135.3(top of 136)
“...In the preparation of their clothing...can they seek the Lord's blessing...? It is one thing to join the church, and quite another thing to be united to Christ. Unconsecrated, world-loving professors of religion are one of the most serious causes of weakness in the church of Christ.” {RH, December 6, 1881 par. 8}
GOD’S PEOPLE TO BE SEPARATE & DISTINCT FROM THE WORLD:
“…God will have a people separate and distinct from the world. And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children. They are the children of the world and of darkness...” (1T 135.3(top of 136)
CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM ARE TO BE INSTRUCTED REGARDING RESS AND FOLLOWING ITS TEACHINGGS BEFORE BEING BAPTIZED:
“INSTRUCTIONS ON DRESS and pleasure.—the principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth. Faithful, Christian men and women should have an intense interest to bring the convicted soul to a correct knowledge of righteousness in Christ Jesus. If any have allowed the desire for…THE LOVE OF DRESS…the faithful believers should watch for these souls as they that must give an account. They must not neglect the faithful, tender, loving instruction so essential to the young converts, that there may be no half-hearted work.” {Ev 268.1} (1900)
“THOROUGH CONVERSION TO THE TRUTH.--The preparation for baptism is a matter that needs to be carefully considered. The new converts to the truth should be faithfully instructed in the plain “thus saith the Lord.” The Word of the Lord is to be read and explained to them point by point. When they give evidence that they fully understand their position, they are to be accepted.” --Testimonies to Ministers, p. 128. (1897) {Ev 308.1/.3}
“THOROUGH PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM. --There is need of a more thorough preparation on the part of candidates for baptism. They are in need of more faithful instruction than has usually been given them.
The principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth…it is
ADDITIONAL READING:
CG 432.3
CH 91.2-.3
3T 258.2-.3
3T 324.1-.2
CTBH 77.1
SOP ABBREVIATIONS:
1MR = Manuscript Releases, Volume 1
1T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1
3T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 3
4T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4
5T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5
6MR = Manuscript Releases, Volume 6
6T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6
8T = Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8
CD = Counsels on Diet & Foods
CG = Child Guidance
CH = Counsels on Health
CTBH = Christian Temperance & Bible Hygiene
DG = Sons and Daughters of God
EV = Evangelism
HL = Healthful Living
HR = Health Reformer Articles
MH = Ministry of Healing
PH022 = Pamphlet022
RH = Review & Herald Articles
WM = Welfare Ministry
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