p. 198 | Spiritual Dyspeptics by Ellen G. White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1876

Spiritual Dyspeptics.

By Ellen G. White

There are those among the professed followers of Christ who are spiritual dyspeptics. They are self-made invalids. Their spiritual debility is the direct result of their own short-comings. They do not obey the laws of God and carry out the principles of his commandments. They are indolent in the cause and work of God, doing nothing. But when they think they see something with which they can find fault, then they are active and zealous. A Christian who does not work cannot be healthy. Spiritual disease

is the result of neglected duty. In order for a man's faith to be strong, he must be much with God in secret prayer. How can a man's benevolence be a blessing to him if he never exercises it? How can we ask God to help in the conversion of souls unless we are doing all in our power to bring them to the knowledge of the truth? Many have brought upon themselves a debility which has made them useless to themselves and to the church, and the remedy is repentance, confession, and reform. They need moral power and the real nourishment of the grace of God. Nothing will give sinew and bone to our piety like working to advance the cause we profess to love, instead of hindering it. There is but one genuine cure for spiritual laziness, and that is, work; working for souls who need our help. E. G. W.