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Instinct Versus Knowledge

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 51.

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Instinct Versus Knowledge

By O. B. KUHN

O. B. KUHN
THE conditions resulting from wrong principles operating in the lives of men and women make the work of Seventh-day Adventists essentially that of reformers, because their work is based upon principles that are right and good.
But when right principles are presented, when truth is urged, the acceptance of which would work reform in physical and religious habits, reformers are often met with the argument that the life is right, and that the acceptance of those means that work reformation is not necessary.
Many persons say that instinct is their monitor, that they are guided by a voice from within. It is argued that instinct causes one to recognize and obey the so-called first law of nature, self-preservation.
Instinct is defined as being “an unconscious,unreasoning, involuntary prompting to some mode of action, either mental or physical,—an inherent prompting to perform a specific action in a specific way whenever the appropriate occasion occurs.”
The Scripture says we shall hear a word behind us, not from within, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” Isa. 30:21.
The life of the Lord Jesus, the story of Gethsemane and of Calvary, reveal the principle of unselfishness in contradistinction to the principles of self-serving.
One instinct of life is the prompting to supply the body with food; but many people, guided by the palate alone, often crave for and indulge in those things that are positively harmful and that cause disease. Though the instinct to supply food was given to man in Eden, it was not designed to guide him in the selection of foods. It was merely to indicate the need of food. Knowledge was to be the guide in the choice. Gen. 1:29. Compare Hosea 4:6. Man’s safety lies in the intelligent use of knowledge; his danger, in blindly following appetite. Knowledge should also guide in the combination of foods, proper balancing of food elements, and in determining right conditions, frequency of eating, preparation of foods, etc.
Another instinct given man in Eden was the prompting to worship. Man will worship some one or something; but instinct was no more to direct in the spiritual exercise of worship than it was in the physical exercise of food appropriation. Guided by instinct alone, many are worshiping the sun, the moon, graven images, money, social position, dress, and a hundred other idols. Instinct prompts man to worship; knowledge should direct it.
The Sabbath was given as a guide to man’s worship. It was designed to point him to the only object worthy of his worship, the Creator, and to keep him close to his side, preventing idolatry. But God having given man the Sabbath, did not design that instinct should guide in its observance. Knowledge concerning the observance of the Sabbath is given as a safeguard. Isaiah 58.
The rejection of knowledge concerning man’s physical habits is seen in the sad results, disease, misery, and death. The rejection of moral instruction is witnessed to by the moral corruption and idolatry in the world to-day. Read again Hosea 4:6.
Shall we not prize more highly than ever the Word of the Lord, and purpose in our hearts that Heaven-sent knowledge, rather than fleshly appetites and desires, shall direct in all our habits?