6:191 Corinthians 6:19

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, given by God, making you sacred and owned by Him and not by yourself.SA 23.1–2+2 You are not your own because you were bought with a price, not silver and gold but the precious blood and life and death of Christ.SA 23.1–2+2 Body and spirit belong to God by creation and doubly by redemption, so you are not free to live as you please but must glorify Him with willing service and full surrender.Ms 23, 1868, par. 8+4 Glorifying Him means keeping His purchased dwelling in its best and healthiest condition by obeying His laws of health, with temperance in appetite and passions and purity from defiling indulgence.6T 369.2+4 All you are and have is lent in trust to be used for Him, and every fellow person is likewise His property to be honored and not harmed or controlled.RH Apr 16, 1901+4

The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within believers, given by God, so the body is sacred, owned by God and not by self, and desired by God as His habitation.SA 23.1–2+4 The body was bought at a price and must be used to glorify God in body and spirit, and dishonoring it is sin against its Creator while presenting it holy and acceptable is reasonable service.SA 23.1–2+2 Because the body is Christ's purchased property people are not free to treat it as they please, and perverted appetite and disregard for its laws weaken, disease and corrupt its organs and powers, dishonoring God and misrepresenting the Maker.6T 369.2+2 All powers of being, body and spirit, all that a person has and is, belong to God through sufferings and death of the Son of God, so glorifying Him means preserving body and mind in best health for perfect service, and any course that expends vitality, decreases strength or beclouds intellect sins against Him and does great wrong.2T 354.1+2 God requires the body as a living sacrifice, not dead or dying or filled with disease and corruption, as Hebrew offerings had to be without blemish, to do duty in family and society, and to violate physical law is sin as truly as to break the Ten Commandments.CTBH 52.3–53.1

The heart, soul, mind and inner life cleansed from moral impurity become a temple where the Saviour and Spirit dwell to ennoble, sanctify, restore God's moral image and transform the whole nature.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42+2 Sanctification embraces spirit, soul and body, requiring cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, temperance, oneness with Christ, doing the Word in private life, self-control and moral power, and keeping pure from fornication and lustful indulgence.4SP 302.2–304.1+2 One whose body is the temple will not be enslaved by gluttony, wine-drinking, tobacco, forbidden pleasure, sinful gratification, animal appetites at expense of health and life, or squandering entrusted capital on useless indulgences while robbing God in tithes and offerings, but will turn needless expense into the Lord's treasury and set example of temperance, self-denial and self-sacrifice as light of the world.4SP 302.2–304.1 Indulgence in baser passion and perversion of appetites wastes vital forces, debases mind, weakens brain, corrupts physical, mental and moral power, diseases the whole being and makes acceptable sacrifice impossible, while bodies treated as God's property and presented living, holy and acceptable become fit temples for indwelling and manifestation of the Spirit, with conscience without guilt, soul without taint, thoughts purified, understanding irradiated by truth, will made pure, elevated, refined and sanctified, and soul and body in harmony with God, with provision for purification, pardon and salvation of unholy mind and body.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42 Christ must be recognized as Master and His mind allowed to work within, for unless this happens Satan prompts thoughts and character becomes like his, and he claims as subjects all who let him control their minds, and to claim Christ as Saviour while continuing sinful practices misrepresents Him and puts Him to open shame.Ms 74, 1903, par. 15+1 Sin defiled humanity so the heart ceased to reveal God's glory, but through incarnation of the Son and saving grace the heart becomes God's temple again, and redemption frees from slavery to sin and makes regenerated, transformed lives of service and perfect loyalty possible in a new period of life.MYP 68.5+1

The human body is God's fearfully and wonderfully made workmanship, building and masterpiece, fitted up by the Creator with law written on every part to house the mind, reveal His glory and represent Him.HL 9.4+4 It is a living habitation prepared by God as temple for the indwelling Holy Spirit, carefully made to house the mind which governs actions and enables worship and fellowship with heavenly beings, so it is to be understood and cared for and not merely treated as container.HL 9.4+2 Every part and member is the Lord's and must not be neglected but serve Him as instrument of righteousness, and this truth gives highest reason to care for and develop physical powers, study its needs, and preserve it from harm and defilement.STMW9 61.2–62.1+1 The skilled workmanship called for in building the tabernacle specially represented the exalted character of God's service and sacredness of the human temple, so working men who labor with hands must not become coarse or exalted over skill but show refinement and true Christian courtesy.20MR 345.3–4

The Spirit is to possess speech and mental, physical and moral powers, be welcomed as guest, teach, convict, illuminate true faith, replace impurity with holiness and shine through the life.MYP 69.1–3+3 The physical, mental and moral powers belong to God, with time, influence, reason, affection, conscience, every sinew, muscle and organ His, to be used only in harmony with His will and not by direction of the world under a leader at enmity with God, and none is to be weakened by neglect or abuse.MYP 69.1–3 The body is to be kept by cooperation with God in best health so the Spirit can dwell in it and mold every physical and spiritual power according to His will, with mind stored with pure principles, truth written on soul and memory filled with precious truths of the Word which then shine out in life.MYP 69.1–3 Its presence as honored guest teaches and transforms, replacing impure thoughts, wrong feelings and rebellious actions with holy thoughts, heavenly affections and Christlike actions, bringing illumination that accompanies true faith and repose in God.CH 607.1–2+2 The Spirit is Christ's representative and divine agency carrying conviction to hearts, and when His power is revealed through servants divinity flashes through humanity, so presenting truth as it is in Jesus when accompanied by Him is worth more than all honor or glory of the world.13MR 313.3–314.1+2 Self, pride and putting an idol such as a husband in the heart defile inner life and shut out Jesus and the Spirit, while letting love of Christ fill the soul expels evil, removes defects and brings Christlike attributes, whereas outward efforts to improve self without inward surrender are useless.Ms 47, 1892, par. 9–11

A person becomes and remains a temple only through regeneration, union with Christ, experiential obedience and daily cleansing, for without conversion profession is empty, Satan controls the mind and the dwelling is disordered.Ms 181, 1905, par. 18–19+3 Only those who claim to be Christians and profess righteousness are addressed as temples, not those making no profession, and this requires making no concessions to the enemy, changing no principle of truth received from God, and holding no fellowship with those in league with evil angels, because peace was never purchased by compromise.Ms 181, 1905, par. 18–19 Believers are not their own because bought with a price and born again of the Spirit through God's love in giving His only begotten Son, lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so whosoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life, and by faith the renewed believer lives Christ's life day by day and recognizes being God's property.Ms 22a, 1902, par. 16+2 Through union with Christ and conformity to truth people are transformed from being given over to idols and become cleansed, refined and sanctified temples for indwelling, whereas sin and demonic control turned bodies intended for God's presence into habitation of demons, corrupting senses, nerves, passions and organs.FE 466.1–2+1

Perfection of character is fitting up the whole being as temple with entire service, educated physical life, intellect, conscience and affections at highest efficiency to reveal the divine nature and cooperate in saving souls.RH Jan 21, 1902+2 God accepts nothing less than service of the entire human organism with all parts in perfect harmony, for service with only certain parts of the machinery is deficient, and physical life is to be carefully educated, cultivated and developed, intellect and every reasoning power used for God, conscience given supremacy, and mental and physical powers with affections cultivated to highest efficiency so Christ is represented to the world.RH Jan 21, 1902+1 Every entrusted faculty is to be improved and none neglected, misused or deprived of health and efficiency, and the better one becomes acquainted with the Maker the more sacred life becomes, refusing what defiles and degrades the whole being.RH Jan 21, 1902+2 Every nerve, muscle and mental and physical endowment with soul, body and spirit is to be kept pure and free from defilement because Christians are bought with a price and not their own, with His law written on every nerve, muscle, fiber and faculty to be used to His honor in uplifting humanity, and no one has right to form habits lessening healthful action of any organ, for whoever perverts powers defiles the temple.RH Nov 12, 1901+2 This forbids tobacco, wine, liquor and degrading drugs which degrade soul, mind and body, deaden appreciation of intellect and sacred things and cause powers to wither and decay, and God will not work miracle to restore those who continue in them, while defiling the body harms not only self but many others.RH Jan 21, 1902+1 Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, and through that knowledge a person may daily be formed in divine image into character God can use, given skill to work surely in His kingdom, with character of those who abide in His tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill — walking uprightly, working righteousness, speaking truth in heart, not backbiting, doing no evil to neighbor, taking up no reproach, condemning the vile, honoring those who fear the Lord, swearing to personal hurt and changing not, not putting money to usury nor taking reward against innocent — traits that cannot be bought or sold but keep one riveted to the eternal Rock as Daniel was kept and fit for mansions Christ prepares.Lt 139, 1898, par. 30–33 Restoring the moral image means improving physical, mental and moral capabilities by obeying God's laws and bringing nothing defiling into the body, seeking sanctification from God while working with Him, attaining Christian perfection of soul though not perfection of flesh, escaping corruption through lust, becoming partakers of divine nature, living for God and heaven in probation to work out salvation rather than merely selfish animal life leaving eternity out of reckoning.RH Nov 6, 1900+1 Faith must be cultivated, pointing forward and upward to things to come and laying hold of the only power making complete in Him, qualifying men and women to cooperate in saving souls unto eternal life and preparing a people to stand pure and holy for society of heavenly angels, for perfection cannot be attained when laws of nature are disregarded.RH Jan 21, 1902+1

Every person is a soul-temple for God to fill, and He chooses humble teachable workers to represent Him in proportion to His Spirit within.7T 144.3–4 God chooses for service not by learning or eloquence or worldly wealth but by humility that lets Him teach His way, put His words into lips and have them represent Him, and He can use every person just in proportion as He can put His Spirit into the soul-temple.7T 144.3–4 The work He accepts reflects His image, with followers bearing ineffaceable characteristics of His immortal principles as credentials to the world.7T 144.3–4 The heart is meant to be possessed by infinite love and truth, and those who scorn it defile it under the same condemnation as Christ's rejecters.3SP 9.2 People of all ages who scorn that love defile the temple of the heart, and those professing to represent Christ yet denying Him by lives allow selfishness and love of money and worldly honor to possess it, rejecting His counsel and despising His mercies, standing under same condemnation as the self-righteous Jews who rejected Him.3SP 9.2

No one belongs to self because all have been bought with a price, which is not silver and gold but the precious blood, life, death, sacrifice and poverty of Christ, the only begotten Son of God given in love.SA 23.1–2+4 The body is His purchased property and the temple of the Holy Spirit who is from God, so it is not free to be treated as one pleases but must be kept in the best health and used to glorify God in body and spirit which are His.SA 23.1–2+4 That purchase gives Him right to wholehearted, faithful, persevering energies and to all powers of being, all that a person has and is.2T 354.1+2

The price was Christ bearing human sins in His own body and giving His flesh for the life of the world to save human flesh itself.6T 479.2+2 It was His suffering and agony on the cross, with hands pierced by cruel nails and feet fastened to the tree, endured as the only sinless being through mistreatment, shameful humiliation and rejection in behalf of sinners.Ms 139, 1898, par. 86–87+2 He who was guiltless suffered as guilty, wounded for transgressions, bruised for iniquities, chastised for peace and striped for healing, bearing the load of shameful guilt that the guilty might be pronounced without guilt and rescued from going down to perish eternally.Ms 139, 1898, par. 86–87+2 In return He requires a whole sacrifice of body, soul and spirit, kept as wholesome and pure and holy as possible and dedicated to His service.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+2

The ransom was Christ Himself, whose blood alone could ransom guilty man, freeing humanity from slavery to the oppressive power of Satan, to sin and to eternal ruin.Ms 3, 1897, par. 29+2 By His own power He overcomes the armed strong man, takes his prey from him, takes the sinner's place and guilt and dies to set the condemned free.Lt 29, 1893, par. 3–4+1 That liberation gives another trial with power to overcome evil, and lays claim to affections, intellect, time, means and all powers, so that life is no more to self but to God in unselfish fidelity under His banner.Ms 67, 1900, par. 4–6+2 Therefore none should degrade self in any way, weaken mind or body through inaction, or devote powers to self-serving.Ms 67, 1900, par. 4–6+1

The purchase was pledged in the councils of heaven before the creation of the world to answer what would happen if man should sin as Satan sinned, with the Innocent bearing the sins of the guilty and interceding for the transgressor.Ms 80, 1903, par. 9–10+1 It rests on creation, for Christ made the world, and doubly on redemption, for before the foundation of the world He engaged to take the penalty of transgression upon Himself.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 6–10+2 It was fulfilled when Adam fell and Christ redeemed the lost race, coming when Satan seemed to control the race to contest possession of the earth and giving His life that men might not perish.Ms 80, 1903, par. 9–10+1 Every person, believer or unbeliever, is thus His property, entrusted as sheep to the faithful Chief Shepherd and laid under everlasting obligation to serve with the whole heart and improve every entrusted talent.Ms 80, 1903, par. 9–10+2

The cross shows the value God places on each soul, revealing the worth of the whole person and Christ's love for fallen humanity.Lt 23, 1890, par. 29–31+2 Adam's sin through indulgence of appetite plunged the race into hopeless misery with weakening in every generation, but the immense cost paid on Calvary puts people on high vantage ground and grants a second probation.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5+1 There liberty from the bondage of sin wrought by the fall is possible and a way of escape is provided for all who comply, because overcoming is impossible in human strength alone and help is supplied through the merits of Christ's blood.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5+1 That sacrifice opens access to the Father, gives power to live on the platform of eternal truth, and calls for strict control of spirit, words, habits and practices in gratitude and repentance.Ms 151, 1904, par. 15–17+2

Sinful, spiritually destitute people had nothing of their own to offer to meet what their condition demanded, neither money nor virtue of character to pay with.Ms 167, 1901, par. 12+2 By sin everything was lost and title to every blessing forfeited, so reinstatement in favor and permission to enjoy His gifts come only by divine grace through the infinite sacrifice.Ms 167, 1901, par. 12+1 The righteousness of Christ must therefore be received as a free gift bestowed without money and without price, and the poor, helpless and needy come not in their own righteousness but for His righteousness' sake.Lt 10, 1893, par. 15+1 All that is possessed, physical and mental powers and daily blessings, is first given by God and delivered stamped with the cross of Calvary, so giving to God only returns His own and He is not a hard master in claiming possessions and service.Lt 187, 1902, par. 5+1

Those bought with the precious blood of the Son of God are kept by Satan during probationary time from realizing it and from studying the Word.Lt 21, 1897, par. 27–28 He fills every moment with ambitious projects, love of money and expedients for getting and spending it, and with amusement, pleasure, indulgence, eating, drinking and dressing, that they may forget the inward adornment of a meek and quiet spirit which is of great price in God's sight.Lt 21, 1897, par. 27–28 Intemperance of every kind corrupts body and soul and makes attention to serious things and preparation for what is coming impossible for those who choose him as leader and will not come to Christ for life.Lt 21, 1897, par. 27–28

Body and spirit belong to God and are to glorify Him, for the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within the believer and is given by God, and those so bought with a price are adopted into the royal family as children of the heavenly King and therefore are not their own.Lt 68, 1899, par. 17–19+4 People are not free to live as they please, do as they like, dispose of themselves, live for self, or follow unwise desires, but owe willing service with undivided heart and full surrender, giving the Lord Jesus claim to wholehearted, faithful, persevering energies to be used for His glory.Lt 68, 1899, par. 17–19+4 The ransom price is the precious blood of the Son of God, and gratitude for the evidence of His great love calls for glorifying God in body and spirit, since living for self cannot make anyone happy.Lt 68, 1899, par. 17–19+3 To abide in Christ is to forsake all and follow in His footsteps, refusing to let earthly affections control the heart, while accepting the gospel means loving God with all heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving neighbor as self, which comprehends the whole duty of man.Ms 75, 1895, par. 5 The new life through conversion and communion with God produces God-likeness in character, with love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude, and hope springing up in the renewed soul, and because God made the body it is to be cared for with reverence, decency, and purity in speech and action and kept steadfast in Christian duty rather than used without restriction.Ms 75, 1895, par. 5+2

Ownership is twofold by creation and doubly by redemption through the life and life-blood of Christ, even His precious blood as Son of God and Son of the infinite God, by which He purchased and redeemed humanity from Satan's claims at infinite cost.Ms 23, 1868, par. 8+4 God therefore has higher claims than any mortal can have, indeed the greatest of all claims including every other claim, with the price seen in Christ's suffering and agony on the cross with pierced hands, nailed feet, and bearing human sins in His own body to rescue people from going down to perish eternally because God found a ransom.Ms 23, 1868, par. 8+2 Moment-by-moment life, breath, strength, and all human power are derived from God and Christ, giving total claim on all a person is and has as trust, including body and soul, whole heart, intellect, money, time, talents, and strength.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1+3 The body with soul and spirit being God's property must glorify God and not be separated from Him in self-confidence under the enemy's training, nor sacrificed to lust nor the soul defiled and tarnished, but given wholly to Him to do the work given to each, with understanding worked by the Holy Spirit and affections acting harmoniously in compliance with the divine will in cooperation with holy angels.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1+2 To withhold self through years of neglecting the Saviour is wrong calling for repentance, and no one may make it a business to serve self, grow indifferent to God's claims, or rob God by pawning His time, talents, and strength to the world, but must give pure thoughts, affections, time moment by moment, and intellect as His own, keeping appetite under enlightened conscience, wrestling against every lust, regarding each organ as God's property for His service, letting affections move in harmony with the Lord's mind fastened on things above, keeping tithes and offerings flowing to God with the sacrifice kept fresh to shape thoughts and plans with Christ as crucified, and when this is done God has received His own.Ms 23, 1868, par. 8+3

Ownership holds whether surrender is made or not, covering mind, soul, heart, strength, zeal, capabilities, energy, and even the very flesh in which the soul dwells and through which it works, because every human being was bought with a price.Ms 40, 1900, par. 6+3 Even those who perish remain His purchased property whom He wants as His own, and unbelievers belong to Him whether they acknowledge it or not, so lives are not to be trifled with but safety lies in accepting the purchased redemption by making Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+2 Self is to be surrendered to God's service as loyalty, with all powers employed continually for His glory, and those who receive Christ as personal Saviour are redeemed for God and offered eternal life.Ms 40, 1900, par. 6+1 The principle applies to children as well as adults, for children are not parents' property but belong to God by creation and redemption in bodily powers, minds, and souls, to be consecrated to Him, trained for unselfish service, and prepared by parents in whom Christ abides for a home in heaven without neglect of duty owed them.Ms 87, 1902, par. 51–52+1

Each person keeps individuality, conscience, and freedom as God's workmanship, individually made with His stamp upon soul, body, spirit, mind, intellect, and talents to be molded after the divine likeness, and that individuality and identity cannot be surrendered to any other person.Lt 57, 1902, par. 1–3+2 Because the whole person belongs to God by creation and redemption through Christ giving His own life, even wounded for transgressions, bruised for iniquities, chastised for peace, and striped for healing, no human has jurisdiction over another's conscience, no right to control another's mind, judge for another, prescribe duty, take away individual rights in God's service, exercise authority over others or dictate to them, any more than to take life itself.Lt 185, 1901, par. 8–11+2 Each keeps freedom to think and the privilege and duty to personally obey the Word and follow impressions of duty, holding personal convictions firmly and self-reliantly with self-respect as duty in the strength God imparts.19MR 213.3–4+1 In marriage neither spouse owns or should absorb the other's individuality, for each belongs to God and must live for God rather than self, making His will their will, asking what is right and wrong and for what purpose they were created, letting the best and highest affections and wealth of the soul flow to Him in firm and willing service, putting love for God before human love so that love between spouses follows in divine order.7T 45.5–46.1+2

No finite human can claim another as property, be mind and judgment for another, or compel religious faith and conscience, for body and soul cannot rightly be held as another's property and God alone is rightful master of each person as His workmanship.1T 358.1+3 Treating human beings as property usurps God's authority, and mixing sacred things with carnal things by conforming the church to the world and binding consciences through secular power is forbidden.1T 358.1+1 Therefore when human law commands delivering a slave to his master it conflicts with the word and law of God and must be disobeyed whatever the consequences, because obedience to God stands above rulers and laws.1T 201.2 Those converted to the truth are Christ's property answerable to Him alone and not to the human minister instrumental in their conversion, for however great and good a worker's labor he gains no ownership over souls, no convert is to place himself under a minister's control, ministry must bring souls directly to Christ, no one may hinder or control a fellow worker as though he were his own, and dependence must remain wholly in God as the source of wisdom and sufficiency for growth in grace.9T 146.2+2 Every injustice, harm, fraudulent action, and pang of physical suffering inflicted on God's heritage is written in heaven's books as done to Jesus Christ in the person of His heritage, while helping those in need is registered as done to Christ, so correct knowledge of this ownership makes men fear and tremble, for every work will be reviewed before God, the cruel punished according to works and the faithful and true receiving patience under trial.Lt 80a, 1895, par. 31–34

This ownership is peculiar and close because Christ took human nature and became Elder Brother and Redeemer, joining humanity to God by human relationship into a union closer than angels have, so those consecrated must give God His own by glorifying Him and not self in body and spirit through true renunciation of self.Ms 7, 1900, par. 10–11 The consecrated gift is to be kept sacred by keeping heart, mind, soul, and body free from contamination and from any pollution of thought or sight and from the leaven of evil, and by not bringing the world's methods, customs, and plans into labor.Ms 7, 1900, par. 10–11 God's ownership through Christ's purchase is the only secure life insurance, for the body is the Spirit's temple given by God and does not belong to the person, but bodies and spirits belong to God to glorify Him with life hidden with Christ in God and a future appearing with Christ in glory.1T 549.2–550.2 Soul and body bought with the price paid on Calvary remain in the Creator's hands under His charge, so though men with Satan at their head may pain the body and take temporal life they cannot touch the life hid with Christ, and by His Spirit He will strengthen the bought to endure whatever evil men are inspired to do against them.1T 549.2–550.2+1

Every soul in the world is the Lord's property by creation and by redemption as His purchased possession, and each person is on trial for life on whether he has given to God what belongs to Him and surrendered all that is His.Lt 77, 1899, par. 6–7 All who cherish the Lord as their portion come under His control and receive the sign, the mark of God, showing them to be His special possession, with Christ's righteousness going before them and the glory of the Lord as their rereward, and the Lord protects every human being who bears His sign.Lt 77, 1899, par. 6–7 That sign is the Sabbath, to be kept holy as a perpetual covenant between God and His people throughout their generations, showing that He sanctifies them, because in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.Lt 77, 1899, par. 6–7

Glorifying God in body and spirit means giving Him the heart as the most valued treasure, giving the whole being of body, soul and spirit as an offering, accepting Christ as personal Saviour, being cleansed from all sin, appreciating His great sacrifice, and serving Him in consecration as His child.Ms 71, 1900, par. 1–3+2 This gift even children can make, as a New Year's offering of themselves in response to love shown in sending His Son to die for them.Ms 71, 1900, par. 1–3+1 It means offering praise, looking to Him and trusting without fear, talking of His love, goodness and saving power, helping others in darkness to believe, and refusing murmuring, complaining, unbelief, exalting self or depreciating self.Lt 42, 1897, par. 10–11 Fully grasping that body and spirit are God's purchased possession through Christ as substitute and surety calls for following on to know the Lord, praying for enlarged understanding, meeting His requirements, and being fully given so God can use the life for others to discern truth and rejoice in it.ST Dec 3, 1912+1

Belonging to God requires entire, daily, voluntary consecration of heart, mind, soul, body and strength without reserve, dying to self, yielding will and way, walking humbly and seeking His guidance rather than being ruled by changing feelings or seeking own way.Lt 50, 1896, par. 6+2 No one is his own, for body and spirit with all wealth, position and intellectual gifts belong to God by ransom of His only begotten Son, so sick or well every power must be employed in His service, with repentance from backsliding, return with full purpose of heart, denial of self, and trust in Jesus to care for the weary suffering body as a very present help.Lt 21, 1894, par. 11–13+1 Duty must rule wherever it leads without consulting ease or inclination, having no will, wishes, feelings or pleasure of one's own, in disinterested benevolence that denies dear self and labors for the happiness of others.Lt 10, 1863, par. 13–17 When temptation comes through flattering human agents, self denied as Jesus denied self lets Christ live within, putting salvation of souls above every other consideration, wrestling in prayer to be imbued with the Spirit, winning souls under its constraining power, lifting the cross through evil report and good, working in Christ's lines, and keeping self out so sacred truth is not marred but triumphs gloriously.Lt 26, 1894, par. 7

This consecration creates nothing to give but simply recognizes what is already His by creation and redemption of body, soul and spirit, showing before angels and unfallen worlds that accountability to improve every entrusted talent is understood, and that self-denying, cross-bearing, undivided heart-life of service alone designates a disciple.19MR 174.1–175.1+1 Christ demands undivided heart-service and entire use of every power, and when surrender is made He sets the mind at rest, consecrates heart and hands, gives spiritual life and wisdom to love God and one another, reveals His grace in character through His life within, sanctifies through His blood, presents spotless before the Father, purges from dead works, and takes possession to renew, sustain, guide and vitalize every impulse as temple for the Holy Spirit.Ms 68, 1898, par. 22 Entering His service requires letting Him take possession and control of the entire being, for safety depends on it while another watches to enter with destructive ensnaring work, and working in connection with Christ improves experience, enlarges mental faculties, brings conscience under divine guidance, and in true union, yoke and restraint gives inexpressible riches of thought, light to intellect, determination to will, tenderness to conscience, purity to imagination, and faithful loving devotion of heart, mind, soul and strength.Ms 18, 1901, par. 5–6 Such willing wholehearted service day by day gives every faculty and capability with love of Christ as motive and pattern, requires deep grace to be strengthened, settled and established unto victory, and is required to be received at last into heaven as members of the royal family.Ms 156, 1898, par. 9+2

God's ownership requires truth to transform the character so that professed Christians live as seeing Him who is invisible and in every place act as representatives of Jesus, knowing a continual influence goes forth affecting others.Lt 19, 1892, par. 12 It calls for giving up everything with undivided affections through continual obedience in small as well as great, thinking no thoughts, speaking no words and doing no actions except as in the conscious presence of God, overcoming initial difficulty by praying, believing prayer is heard, and practicing daily self-giving from love for what Christ has done in giving Himself without reservation to buy and redeem soul, body and spirit from sin.Lt 93, 1897, par. 8–10 Obeying this instruction is strength and security, for Christ gave Himself to redeem from all iniquity and purify a peculiar people zealous of good works, yet it has far less influence on minds and characters than it should have.Ms 139, 1899, par. 25 Brain, bone and muscle belong to God, so glorifying Him means being Christlike in word and deed, consecrating the tongue, speaking no hasty words, doing as Christ would do in place, withdrawing every thread of influence from Satan's side as accuser of the brethren and bringing all under Jesus Christ.Lt 196, 1901, par. 22+1 His sacred claims on mind and character require maintaining intimate conscious connection with pure sacred springs of vital force, gazing with earnestness and sacred awe on cherished principles and His claims, employing every faculty of mind, soul and body to honor Him, and living the truth in all respects so transforming grace seen in life converts others.Lt 118, 1896, par. 7–9

The call to work is tender yet urgent to reform at once, for Christ's purchase by His precious blood and life gives right to wholehearted faithful persevering energies, and body, spirit, time, service, property and strength must glorify God with the whole life.19MR 68.5+1 Obligation rests on every capability in faithful service to win from sin to righteousness, serving the Master with whole being because life is precious as belonging to Him, using time, intellect, abilities and every part of life to fulfill His purposes.9T 104.1+1 Young people are to devote themselves to God's service including evangelistic and canvassing work, revealing His character through self-denial, sacrifice, patience and gentleness and using every power in Christ's service.RH Apr 16, 1901+1

Glorifying God requires submitting choices and conduct to Him rather than following personal ideas, for duty is more distinct and binding in the New Testament covering even eating and drinking, and claiming right to do as one likes and have one's own way brings loss of soul while taking God's way brings living to purpose here and everlasting life hereafter.Lt 60, 1896, par. 1–3+1 It means holding firmly to sanctifying truth with faith and determining never to let faith go even if faithfulness requires giving up life, living in obedience to the gospel as example, placing self in God's hands, yielding will, resisting sin and the enemy, and testifying by works as those bought by precious blood.Lt 111, 1902, par. 4+2 It requires a clean conscience, courage in God, doing right, fighting the good fight of faith, overcoming appetite and passion again and again as Christ overcame with eternity as well as time in view, never damaging or misusing God's purchased property of body and soul by distorted appetite or degraded passions.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12

Divine ownership is the first lesson in education enduring to eternal life and the ruling principle to glorify God in body and spirit, requiring surrender of all, help from above, making most of God-given powers, training every power to work in harmony with God, overcoming selfishness, disciplining the soul, cultivating virtue with heart and mind acting together, and producing noble, generous, kind, courteous, Christlike character efficient in saving souls.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 8–9 This ownership claims the whole being of physical, mental and moral powers combined while God fits His people for everlasting life, requiring every plan, method and business to be weighed by whether it most glorifies God and blesses souls, keeping an assigned post under accountability, combining secular and sacred without hiding spiritual things, consecrating every action as entrusted time with holiness unto the Lord inscribed on it, and undertaking no ordinary business whose influence corrupts the senses.21MR 28.2–29.1 It calls for a life shaped by obedience and cooperation as character is progressively formed for eternity, cherishing correct ideas, raising the estimate of life and sacred responsibility, improving talents to fullest extent under the oversight of Him who paid infinite price, gaining clearer understanding of His will daily to sit with Him on His throne, giving Him the heart and personal service with children's service, and training new believers drawn to God to draw others.18MR 205.4–5+2 This honor to God extends to how to live including customs and practices brought into school life.8MR 284.3–285.1

Everyone joined to the Lord is Christ's property, for He redeemed the body as verily as the soul, making believers members of His body, of His flesh and bones, joined as one spirit in sacred union to be preserved unto appearing with Christ in glory when Christ who is their life appears.Ms 162, 1907, par. 7–8 Partaking of the divine nature enables forming character as a holy spiritual temple, through new birth with new life drawn from His life as branch from parent stock, drawing motive power and texture of character from Him, examining whether Christ is within, for without receiving Him there is no life.Ms 133, 1902, par. 35+2 Unreserved surrender ends planning for amusement, excursions, pleasure-loving associations, excitement and change, rivets to Christ as eternal Rock and chief cornerstone holding the whole building together and keeping faith from confusion, while without heart surrender service is heartless Christless ceremony God will not accept, and with it believers become lively stones offering acceptable spiritual service.Ms 68, 1897, par. 28 Liberty therefore is not license to choose sin but belongs to Christ who gave Himself to redeem from sin and unite divine nature to human, to live Christ's life not Satan's.Lt 137, 1904, par. 7+1

Defiling self by false doctrine or any unholy practice helps defile the church, for corrupting influence spreads and harm is done not only to self but to many others.Ms 130, 1899, par. 44–45 God designs the body as temple for His Spirit, man as His workmanship and masterpiece for high holy purpose with law to be written on every part of the tabernacle, every nerve, muscle and mental and physical endowment to be kept pure under solemn accountability with influence for good or evil.Ms 130, 1899, par. 44–45 Christians bought with a price are obligated to keep soul, body and spirit free from all defilement, for careless example, criticism and faultfinding are like evil leaven defiling God's church, and defiling His temple brings destruction, for the temple of God is holy.Ms 130, 1899, par. 44–45

Because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit given by God and bought with the price of Christ's suffering and death, body and spirit and all powers of being belong to God and not to self, and glorifying Him in body and spirit means preserving body and mind in the very best condition of health by intelligent, conscientious care and obedience to health laws in order to honor Him and render perfect service in family and society.2T 354.1+4 The body must be kept as a fit habitation for the Spirit and presented as a living sacrifice, not dead or dying or filled with disease and corruption, as the Hebrew offerings were required to be without blemish.CTBH 52.3–53.1 This requires refusing to weaken any single organ of body or mind, refusing to expend vitality, decrease strength, or becloud the intellect, refusing appetite and every defilement, and keeping every capability in highest efficiency so God can work through His own property to show the life to come.2T 354.1+3 Any course that wastes vitality, weakens the body, or dulls the mind sins against God, fails to glorify what is His, and does Him great wrong.2T 354.1+2

To violate the laws of the physical being is sin just as truly as to break the Ten Commandments, for the laws of nature that govern human existence are God's laws, and continually breaking them is continually breaking His law.CTBH 52.3–53.1+1 Perverted appetite and disregard for the body's laws enfeeble, disease, and cripple its organs and powers, and by corrupting Christ's purchased property people dishonor God, misrepresent their Maker, and give Satan occasion to taunt God with the ruined possession Christ bought.6T 369.2+2 Disease, suffering, and early death are not God's design or appointment but the result of wrong habits in violating those laws, and such unfaithfulness incurs judgment and robs Him of the honor and perfect service due from body and mind which are His.2T 354.1+1

With the light available there is personal duty to become intelligent about health, to learn physiology and the working of the human machinery, to study dietetic and natural laws earnestly, and to reason from cause to effect, since abused organs may bear long but will at last fail under strain.14MR 300.1–2+2 Willing ignorance of these laws is sin, and rejecting the health knowledge God has provided rejects His means for physical and spiritual life.Lt 103, 1896, par. 48–50+3 Harmful habits defile the temple and endanger physical, mental, and moral well-being unto sickness, suffering, and death, so teachers must warn and educate others in proper care, and God will not work a miracle to preserve health for those who neglect His laws while expecting healing.16MR 57.2–3+1

The body is for the Lord and the Lord is for the body, sustaining it moment by moment as Creator and Caretaker, keeping pulse and heartbeat in motion and brain and digestion in action, without whom heart and brain would cease.CH 632.2+2 Glorifying God in the body means cooperating with Him by correct habits of eating and drinking that keep blood pure and brain healthy, by harmonious action of all parts with free circulation, by ventilation, respiration, pure air, and cleanliness put into conscientious practice, and by a heart filled with love, faith, hope, joy, and cheerful trust.ED 200.2–3+2 This cooperation includes obeying the simplest laws of life and precautions some call useless, such as keeping the feet warm, since cold feet frequently cause illness that disqualifies for service.Ms 95, 1901, par. 8

Honoring God in body and spirit, which are His by creation and by redemption at infinite price, requires rest and refusal of burdens that endanger health, sacrifice life, overtax mental and physical powers, or unfit for present and eternal good.Lt 37, 1901, par. 23+3 Believers must not take on all heavy responsibilities possible nor get under too many loads, must not labor beyond strength nor prolong preaching and work unto exhaustion and weariness, but must work as reasonable beings under God's supervision, reform harmful habits, take light exercise in the open air, adjust diet, and observe temperance and reasonable limits.12MR 174.2+4 Wealth gained by overwork at the cost of health is gained by sacrifice of duty to God and prevents perfect service.HTL2 35.1

Keeping the soul-temple pure without and within requires cleanliness, neatness, order, and frequent bathing of person, clothing, and home, with outward appearance teaching children cleanliness, order, purity, and holiness.CTBH 143.2–144.1+1 The body must be kept clean in order to be holy, with skin rubbed to a glow to bring blood to the surface, relieve the brain, and lessen inclination to impure practices, for God is not pleased with unclean bodies and untidy, torn garments but wants purity outside and inside.STA 130.6–131.1+1 Such a clean, orderly home becomes fit for pure and holy heavenly guests and like the home in heaven, while a rightly kept temple sanctifies and ennobles the soul, invites God's indwelling, and puts a person in right condition physically and spiritually to recommend Christ and bear responsibility for self and others.CTBH 143.2–144.1+1

Health reform aims at the highest possible development of mind, soul, and body for happiness in this life and preparation for the life to come, and keeping the body's laws is personal duty answered to God rather than conformity to the world's ideas and practices.STA 127.3–128.1+3 It calls for healthful habits, denial of harmful appetites, and temperance in eating, work, rest, and dress, which support sound religious life, progress in holiness, and restoration of soul and body, and institutions must uphold it rather than compromise for patronage.Lt 30, 1903, par. 7–8+1 This reform is closely connected with the third angel's message and must be taught by precept, example, and practical instruction, including to the poor.STA 127.3–128.1

Physicians must treat diseased bodies as God's property, serving sufferers honestly without exploitation, exorbitant fees, or charges for services not rendered, for such overcharging is robbery and fraud before God to whom their work is accountable.Ms 63, 1899, par. 17–19+2 Ministers and physicians especially must be living examples of health, studying disease from cause to effect, eating regularly, slowly, and temperately, refusing to destroy life and health by overeating and unhealthful eating, and preserving health as sacred duty by intelligent effort in sensible, faithful service.19MR 126.1–4+2 They dishonor ownership when they imperil health, needlessly expend vitality in long sermons producing weariness, cloud the brain by congested head and dyspeptic stomach unto hasty speech and false judgment, or speak words creating levity, whereas a clean stomach gives a clean mind to judge righteously, speak calmly, and advance God's work.19MR 126.1–4+1

Fitness to glorify God is shown by modest clothing without superfluity, display, or bondage to fashion, arranged with order and taste, together with elevated conversation without foolish flattery, in courtesy, kindness, benevolence, sincerity, truth, and faithfulness toward brethren and the world.CTBH 87.1 Denying nourishing food so as to weaken or harm the body does not make a person more holy, and God does not require such rigid self-denial, for the temple is to be nourished and preserved, not injured, unto His honor.1T 205.1–2

Glorifying God in body and spirit requires temperance in all things and control of appetite and passions in eating, drinking, sleeping and dressing, refusing indulgence that excites animal passions and weakens physical, mental and moral powers.6T 369.2+4 The body is Christ's purchased property and God's habitation for His Spirit, so people are not free to treat it as they please but must learn and obey the laws that preserve health, care for it intelligently and conscientiously, and refuse to yield to temptation of appetite or in any way defile or mar it.6T 369.2+4 Perverted appetite and disregard for the body's laws enfeeble, disease and cripple its organs and powers, corrupt the whole being, dishonor God, misrepresent the Maker, and give Satan occasion to taunt God with the ruined property Christ bought.6T 369.2+4 One whose body is the temple will not be enslaved by gluttony, wine-drinking, tobacco or forbidden pleasure, will not benumb faculties by sinful gratification or indulge animal appetites at the expense of health and life, and will not squander entrusted capital on useless and pernicious indulgences while robbing God in tithes and offerings, but will turn needless expense into the Lord's treasury and set an example of temperance, self-denial and self-sacrifice as the light of the world.GC88 474.3–475.1+2

Damaging what belongs to God by distorted appetite dishonors Him in body and spirit, for people do not own themselves and must never misuse what is His by indulging degraded passions.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12+2 Eating largely of sweet cookies, cream cake, pies, pastries and a great variety of food at one meal, spending money for hurtful foods, gratifying taste to the injury of the stomach, eating between meals and overloading the stomach clogs and weakens the whole system, destroys good digestion and a clear brain, strains the living machinery, burdens the entire system, leaves no power of resistance against cold and disease, brings headaches, jaundice, debility, loss of time, dyspepsia, disease with all its train of evils, lessened vitality and mental and physical suffering, and makes people weak and sickly who might be strong.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12+4 Such disregard of principle injures the soul as well as the body, defrauding the soul of its due by weakening physical and mental powers through selfish gratification, beclouding the sensitive nerves of the brain so perfect service cannot be rendered to God, leaving gluttons sleepy in the house of God on the Sabbath unable to keep eyes open or comprehend solemn truth, and casting fretfulness, impatience and gloom from diseased digestion as a dark shadow that makes all around suffer.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12+4 Overtaxing the stomach is a common sin of selfish indulgence that uses up vital forces in unnecessary labor to care for excess food, wastefully misuses blessings provided for nature's necessities, oppresses nature's power so it cannot work wisely and well, decreases rather than increases life and vitality as Satan plans, and continues as a suicidal course bringing premature death or years lived as a burden to self and friends.Lt 17, 1895, par. 23–24 Keeping the body to honor its price requires a clean conscience, courage in God, doing right, fighting the good fight of faith, overcoming appetite and passion again and again as Christ overcame with eternity as well as time in view, governing appetite from a moral and religious standpoint, eating temperately and regularly only what is best at the meal and then leaving the table clear, with regularity, fresh air and exercise, and with moral courage to keep health in the best condition for perfect service to God, society and family.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12+2

Tobacco in any form defiles the temple, wastes the body and the abilities entrusted to a person, enslaves as master of the user, injures mental and physical powers, beclouds the mind so sacred things cannot be discerned, stands between the soul and duty to God as an idol, and resists the convictions of the Spirit.MH 329.4–330.2+4 It pollutes breath, body and air, misuses money that could serve others and support the poor and the gospel, and leaves guilt in squandering entrusted capital on useless and hurtful indulgences while souls perish for the word of life and more is consumed on destroying lust than is given to relieve the poor or support the gospel.MH 329.4–330.2+2 Full standing and the moral power of a person in Christ require personally choosing in faith in what God has given and will give to discard the pipe and overcome the defiling practice, keeping the body pure from such defilements, putting self in God's hands, obeying His commandments, placing the will on His side while seeking His help, for until then the person is on losing ground and out of harmony with God, unfitted for the kingdom and blocked from the cleansing that makes scarlet sins white as snow.Lt 56, 1893, par. 5–7+1 As a chosen royal priesthood under the same obligation of strict temperance once laid on the priests, every follower must preserve every power in the best possible condition to render acceptable service, honoring God with body and spirit in all eating, drinking and doing, under the solemn warning that defiling His holy temple brings destruction.PP 362.1

Followers must refuse intoxicants, tea, coffee, liquor and stimulants, which weaken the body, confuse reason and the mind, destroy self-control, dull the conscience to sin, harden toward iniquity, erase the difference between the common and the sacred, and enslave until indulgence becomes second nature.PP 362.1+4 To willfully degrade soul and body, to waste powers in a continual round of excitement such as cricket and football matches and horse-racing, to pervert God-given powers and degrade the senses to minister to the desires of the carnal mind, and to degrade soul, mind and body by the liquor curse, tobacco, tea-drinking and drugs is to defile and destroy the temple given for high and holy purposes with reason, intelligence, talents and every faculty to be used to His glory.RH Nov 6, 1900 The drunkard sells himself for a cup of poison and in destroying the temple gives Satan control of reason, affections and conscience, letting powers wither and decay until sacred things are not appreciated, and the Lord will not work a miracle to restore to soundness those who continue such degrading drugs.RH Nov 6, 1900 Indulgence in alcohol or stimulating drinks in any form is both a moral sin and a physical disease that cannot be met by moderate use within bounds but requires total abstinence, full cooperation, arousing of the moral powers, and looking unto Jesus trusting in the grace He gives to overcome the unnatural craving, with no right to form habits that lessen the healthful action of one organ of mind or body.20MR 106.2–107.1+1 This means preserving sobriety and temperance in all things, taking no food or drink that will cloud the senses or act upon the nervous system to degrade character or unfit for usefulness, keeping faculties of mind and body in health to glorify God, casting away tobacco and intoxicating liquor, fighting the hard battle to give them up with God's help asked for in prayer and received by believing in His love, breaking away from worldly associates, refusing to be drawn from allegiance to Christ, turning the mind to Christ, openly confessing determination to be a child of God and seeker of heavenly treasure, and giving self wholly and unreservedly.Ms 126, 1903, par. 20+2

The body is for the Lord and not for fornication, and the Lord is for the body, so it must be kept pure and undefiled and used to glorify God rather than sacrificed to lust or defiled and tarnished.Lt 106a, 1896, par. 25+4 God as Creator watches over the human machinery and by constant care keeps it in motion, so that without Him pulse would not beat and heart and brain would cease to act, and glorifying Him means cooperating with Him as the great Caretaker by keeping the brain healthy and the blood pure through correct habits of eating and drinking, harmonious action of all parts with free circulation, and a heart filled with love and hope and joy with faith in God.Ms 24, 1900, par. 9–12 Injuring self physically and morally and debasing passions and affections to lust violates God's claim to the wealth of the affections and the entire being for His service, with a record made of all acts and even the most secret things of life to be met again when each is judged according to deeds done in the body.2T 564.3 Indulgence in baser passion, lustful practices, self-abuse, perversion of appetites and passions, and excess even in marriage debase the mind, weaken the brain, waste the vital forces, corrupt physical, mental and moral power, disease the whole being, and make an acceptable sacrifice to God impossible.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42 When bodies are treated as God's property both by creation and by redemption through the life-blood of the Son of the infinite God and presented as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable, with understanding worked by the Holy Spirit and all affections acting harmoniously in compliance with the divine will in cooperation with holy angels, they become fit temples for the indwelling and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, with conscience without guilt, soul without taint of corruption, thoughts purified, understanding irradiated by truth, and will made pure, elevated, refined and sanctified in harmony with God, while provision is made for purification, pardon and salvation of the unholy mind and body.Lt 4, 1899, par. 90–92+1 Against Corinth's public, religiously sanctioned prostitution and widespread sexual licentiousness, the teaching that the body is the Holy Spirit's temple opposes treating the body as an instrument of sexual vice.HTL6 30.3–32.1

Crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts does not mean inflicting pain on the body but putting to death the temptation to sin by expelling the corrupt thought, bringing every thought into captivity to Jesus Christ, subjecting all animal propensities to the higher powers of the soul, letting the love of God reign supreme with Christ on an undivided throne, regarding the body as His purchased possession bought when He gave His own flesh for the life of the world, and making the members instruments of righteousness rather than unrighteousness.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+2 The lower passions have their seat in the body and work through it, and flesh, fleshly and carnal lusts mean the lower, corrupt nature, which of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God unless allowed, so people are built up from what they eat and must not excite and strengthen animal passions by what is placed in the stomach since indulgence of depraved appetite develops evil.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10 This requires yielding body and soul to Him and keeping what He redeemed as wholesome and pure and holy as possible, giving mind, soul, body and strength to answer the purpose of creation as a living sacrifice, heeding light about eating and drinking, acting intelligently, being strictly temperate, keeping the body under subjection rather than obeying its lusts, and, in the last days amid corruption, preserving bodies and spirits in health and purity under the Spirit's control, reckoning self dead to sin and alive to God, for wasting vitality, weakening the body or clouding the mind dishonors God whose they are.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+2

Defiling, neglecting or drugging the temple while continuing evil habits is forbidden, for poisonous drugs, opium, harmful stimulants and swine's flesh undermine the constitution, benumb nerves, enslave body and mind, damage the nervous system, deaden natural sensibilities, destroy soundness and unfit the mind for God's service and openness to the Holy Spirit's influence.RH Nov 6, 1900+4 To take poisonous drugs into the stomach under names not understood is to destroy what belongs to God, with ignorance no excuse, and those who treat the body ruthlessly by dealing out drugs show little regard for human life and must render a terrible account.HL 246.3 Using drugs while continuing harmful habits dishonors God by dishonoring the body He made, and duty requires refusing all such prescriptions and seeking healing by hygienic methods and nature's own provisions.HL 246.3+1 Overloading the mind with excessive study and neglecting the body or leaving its powers unused also defiles the temple and dishonors God, undermining physical, mental and moral well-being and displacing knowledge of God and eternal responsibilities.5MR 64.1–2+2 The temple is defiled when the brain is unduly excited by too much study that stimulates the brain and increases blood flow to it, because this produces impure thoughts and actions, affects the whole nervous system, depraves the physical and mental powers, and spreads because evil practices are communicated with consequences that cannot be estimated.5MR 64.1–2+1 Keeping it undefiled requires strict temperance and conscientious, balanced, proportionate use of the faculties of mind and body, since pure thoughts and actions depend on the way studies are conducted and conscientious actions depend on conscientious thinking, with exercise, agricultural pursuits and various branches of labor safeguarding against undue brain taxation, for failing to use all powers God has given destroys health and makes it impossible to conscientiously keep His commandments and to love Him supremely and one's neighbor as oneself.5MR 64.1–2+2 Giving way to violent emotions such as rage and passion defiles and endangers that sacred dwelling for the Spirit and can even cause death, including self-trained spasms that can be prevented by willpower.3MR 322.2 Overcoming wrong emotional habits by willpower and teaching this self-control as part of school education preserves life and keeps the body fit for the Spirit to dwell in, for the claim that the whole person including body, soul and every capability belongs to God calls for self-control and overcoming of uncontrolled temper and other sinful habits, controlling feelings when provoked or irritated and relying on Christ rather than self.3MR 322.2+2

Everything a person has is lent by God to be used wisely for Him and not spent as one pleases, for body and spirit are His by purchase with the precious blood of Christ and all time, service, property, strength, talents, influence, wealth, intellect and money belong to Him to be improved in His service.RH Apr 16, 1901+3 The body with soul and spirit is His property at infinite cost, so time moment by moment, pure thoughts and affections, intellect, every organ and power must be kept for His service with appetite under enlightened conscience, lusts resisted, and affections moving in harmony with the Lord's mind set on things above.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+2 Nothing is to be made a business of serving self or growing indifferent to His claims, pawning His time, talents and strength to the world, wasting powers on tobacco or other indulgence, or spending on selfish gratification means that could relieve the poor and support the gospel.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+2 Those truly sanctified practice temperance, self-denial and self-sacrifice, turning means into the Lord's treasury, revealing His character through patience and gentleness, and glorifying Him with the whole life.RH Apr 16, 1901+1

Possessions of rich and poor alike are a trust to be used as God directs to save the lost, care for the suffering and poor, spread light, and serve others as stewards of His grace.COL 393.3–394.4+2 Heart, intellect, money and all that one has must be given back to Him, including freely investing means in publishing and gospel work, medical missionary work, and every capability in His service as a partaker of the divine nature.4T 596.1+3 The claim of redemption through the gift of God's only begotten Son stands above every other claim and gives total claim to body, spirit and all one has, held only as a trust to test obedience.Ms 124, 1898, par. 31–34+1 Grasping, fraud, greed, squandering the Lord's money on harmful and selfish indulgences that weaken physical, mental and moral power, robbing Him in tithes and offerings while souls perish, leaves a debt recorded in judgment as despising His mercy, disappointing the Redeemer and losing the design of creation.GC88 474.3–475.1+2 Faithful stewardship imparts spiritual and temporal gifts, does good to all as there is opportunity, gives evidence of grace and passing from death to life, lays up imperishable treasure in heaven, and devotes talents, energy, property and all one is to His service when the heart is given to God.4T 596.1+1

Accountability for influence requires placing its full weight on the side of truth to gather with Christ rather than scatter, never using it to confirm others in skepticism, unfaithfulness and apostasy.Ms 2, 1868, par. 47–48+1 Every moment and action must be rendered in account, time improved and not wasted, no gift used to spiritual detriment, no hour lived merely to please inclination, with separation from the spirit, customs and practices of the world and close searching of heart over every investment of money and every use of time and talents.Lt 17, 1893, par. 9–12+2 Believers are to watch and pray, preserve Christian self-respect becoming a holy faith, be an example to all contacted, grow in grace and knowledge to the full stature of men and women in Christ, and become pillars in the church with saving influence, for every day and hour matters for laying up treasure in heaven and securing eternal glory.Ms 2, 1868, par. 47–48+2 The influence exerted over those in darkness and error cannot be computed, and coworkers with Christ save their own souls and their children's by teaching them to live not to please associates and thereby displease God.Lt 53, 1893, par. 5+1

No one is to be idle and no one is to keep busy merely to please and amuse self, make provision for the flesh, or use power in selfish projects, for true religion places every agent under immeasurable obligation to do his best.Ms 60, 1898, par. 26–28+1 Every man and woman converted to the truth is given stern, earnest, useful work requiring diligence and perseverance in the home, in the church and in the world, working the works of Christ to seek and save the lost.Lt 12, 1893, par. 8–12+1 Servant and talents are God's property purchased with His own blood, so every entrusted capability of ability, influence and means must be kept in constant exercise to do good and bless others, strengthening and increasing through use, with working for God made the first business and brought into every transaction.Ms 60, 1898, par. 26–28+2 This pointing of men ever to Jesus as the Lamb who takes away sin, without exalting self or attaching men to self or any human leader, belongs especially to the last period of earth's history and decides service to the crucified Redeemer, necessary to gain eternal life.Ms 60, 1898, par. 26–28+2 Human ability, enlightenment and business, including means for making healthful foods, are God's property not to be monopolized under one group's control or confined for gain while the poor suffer, but to be used with proper care of the body to stand in right relation to God and help finish His great unfinished work.Ms 62, 1900, par. 27–28+1

God-entrusted powers of body, mind and soul must be placed under God stamped with His image, sanctified by grace, and faithfully used under the shaping of the Holy Spirit upon heart, life and character to save others as a living sacrifice.Ms 164, 1905, par. 21–22+2 Members are to live up to professed faith by putting the world in its true place, refusing to wear out powers to get worldly gain, offering pure unpolluted service, training mind to right thoughts, tongue to right words, eye to right things, and cleansing the heart to be an abiding place for Christ.Ms 164, 1905, par. 21–22+2 Soul, body and spirit are His and not one's own to sell or bind or follow own will, so entering entangling business engagements and fascinating money-making enterprises even to free oneself from debt sells what belongs to God, robs Him of due service, and lets Satan deceive and separate the soul from Him.Lt 36, 1892, par. 7–8+1 Giving powers to Satan dishonors Christ who paid the price, while neglecting to improve talents and failing to do the good His death made possible violates ownership, disappoints the Master, loses souls through unfaithfulness, and brings accountability and penalty in the day of judgment.Ms 53, 1902, par. 14–19+1

All human powers, time, strength, intellect and every capability are talents to be improved, never demerited, perverted or discarded, in the purest highest life for God rather than a merely animal life for selfish satisfaction like beasts that perish.Ms 130, 1899, par. 54–57+1 Eating, drinking and all habits must be brought into conformity to nature's and health's laws by earnest study and personal obligation, strictly guarded, with fleshly lusts abstained from, vital energies cherished and not recklessly exhausted by overwork, and the wonderfully made soul-temple dealt with carefully in individual dignity and consecration.Ms 47, 1896, par. 37–38+2 Presenting the body a living holy acceptable sacrifice renews the mind and conforms a person physically and spiritually into the image of God to restore His moral image, partake of the divine nature, escape corruption through lust, and rise even in sin and sorrow to highest spiritual efficiency pleasing God in spirit, word and character as Enoch did.Ms 130, 1899, par. 54–57+1 Defiling the holy temple, whether by intoxicants that weaken the body, confuse the mind, dull conscience and erase the common from the sacred, or by whatever action exhausts strength and breaks health, is counted as sin and brings destruction from God.PP 362.1+2 Violation robs God, works against highest interests, fails to represent Him, teaches others to leave eternity out of reckoning, brings physical penalty in sickness, ruined constitutions and even death with suffering to self and family, plus a future settlement when every man receives according to his work, for every transgression of physical law is transgression of God's law.Ms 130, 1899, par. 54–57+2

Because believers have been bought at a price and belong to God in body and spirit, neither husband nor wife owns the other or may absorb the other's individuality, for each belongs to God by creation and redemption through Christ giving His own life, wounded for transgressions, bruised for iniquities, chastised for peace and striped for healing.7T 45.5–46.1+2 Love for God must receive the highest affection before human love, with the best affections and wealth of the soul flowing out to Him in firm willing service, and then love between spouses follows in divine order as each lives not to self but to God, makes His will their will, and asks what is right and wrong and for what purpose they were created.7T 45.5–46.1+1 The same purchase claims the whole family, father, mother and children, sparing none, requiring the heart, soul and united service, opening the door to Christ as He stands, waits and knocks, turning from every practice and idol that grieves Him, and using body and spirit to glorify God as His own.Lt 185, 1901, par. 8–11 Entering marriage without regard for the health and life God gave sins against that trust, especially when choices expose a spouse to disease and pass disease to children, and service belongs to the Redeemer who purchased with the precious blood of the Son of God, so husband and wife alike must be true and faithful to Him and study their relation to the Lord Jesus.HTL2 28.3+1 Following impulse in bestowal of affections and entering marriage with persons corrupt in morals and unfit to make one happy proves ruin, fastens in Satan's snare, brings misery in this life and imperils the soul, since no one may dispose of self as fit.Lt 23, 1893, par. 2–3

The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit given by God, so no one belongs to self and God has the first and highest claim upon the entire being, to be answered in the great day of God.SA 45.3+1 A wife therefore must not debase or harm her body to gratify a husband's lustful passions, nor be degraded and abused through uncontrolled passion and constant childbearing, for her body belongs to God and not to her husband to use as he pleases, and the marriage vow and command to submit give no right to enfeeble her until mind and health break down.SA 45.3+1 She has the right and duty to tenderly and kindly refuse demands for lustful gratification even at risk of displeasure, to act conscientiously toward God, preserve dignity in sanctification and honor, turn the mind toward high and spiritual themes, and use body and spirit to glorify God.2T 475.3+1 She keeps her individuality before God, bought with infinite price and Christ's own blood, so God's claim is higher than any earthly claim; she must not yield will, convictions and conscience to an overbearing husband or surrender judgment and conscience to his control, must not live in fear and trembling under intimidation, must not give up meeting with God's people to gratify him, but must put entire trust in God, flee to Him for strength and blessing, keep body and soul and thoughts and purposes pure and holy, and treat her husband with tenderness while making him as happy as conscience allows.RH Mar 16, 1916+2

Because body and spirit are God's, bought with the life-blood and infinite price of the blood of His Son, allegiance must not be surrendered to human authority, and Christ must be obeyed above every human claim.RCOC 105.4+2 This requires glorifying God by looking to Jesus with love, faith and confidence under every difficulty, trusting His divine presence, standing openly under His banner without shrinking or shame through the costly plan of salvation at Calvary which uplifts, ennobles and sanctifies, even when a husband demands leaving the meeting for truth.Lt 19, 1893, par. 22–26 Each person answers directly to God who speaks to each, consecrating body, soul and spirit with every power of thought, word and deed to the Master for His service alone, training, educating and improving entrusted gifts including time and money to make proportionate return at account.Lt 199, 1901, par. 7–10+1 Therefore individuality must be kept under rule and pledge to God alone, refusing to make flesh an arm, to sign binding contracts surrendering conscience, to place self under despotism and forcing of conscience by those in high position, or to bind self to serve under a human teacher, but remaining free to follow God's call into service including missionary work.Lt 199, 1901, par. 7–10+1 No one may show unchristlike independence or set self up as mind and conscience and experience for a fellow, but humbling the heart before God and giving the heart to Christ brings His guidance, comfort, strength, conviction of sin, light into chambers of the mind, success in presenting the Word, and His Spirit living in the soul temple.Lt 412, 1907, par. 7

Fellow workers belong to Christ by the same purchase, so they must be treated with respect, kindness and love and joined in Christian fellowship even when they do not please and their work does not meet expectations, pressing together in unity rather than differing.Ms 129b, 1901, par. 18–19+2 Every part and property of human nature belongs to the Lord, so lifting the soul to vanity and speaking proudly, boastfully and in masterly manner to fellow men separates the soul from God and brings defeat; the Lord alone is to be exalted, every human agent must keep his place and not seek God's place, and there must be no trusting in men.STMW8 2.3 No man may set himself as judge and king over mind, soul and body of medical missionary workers with molding, fashioning influence, but they must be left to look to Jesus as leader and be taught by the Lord in all things, waking as watchmen to give the warning message, being healed of sin and unbelief, refusing the prince of darkness, having Satan cast from the heart, and humbling defective hearts before the Lord.Lt 320, 1905, par. 21–24 The same blood purchased each brother, making all brethren born of God by the same Spirit, members of the same body worked by the same Spirit, sustained from the same source and feeding on the flesh and blood of the Son of God, the Word which is spirit and life, so close bonds require the same vitalizing current through mind and heart and action in harmony.Ms 105, 1900, par. 11 One who has acknowledged wrong, like Brother Barry, being God's property, must not be treated harshly or denied help.Lt 6, 1901, par. 7–11

Children are the Lord's property because Jesus gave His life to save them, not the property or playthings of parents, and this applies to children as well as adults.7MR 8.3–9.1+1 Every youth is not his own but bought with a price, so talents and opportunities are his only to improve conscientiously for the Creator's honor, laboring in view of Christ's great sacrifice, studying as for eternity with patient taxing labor, yoking with Christ, working to His name's glory, warmed by His love, cooperating with God as heaven enlists in training his powers like the four Hebrew youth in Babylon, leaving no place for idleness, wasted time or trifling.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 6–7 Parents are accountable to God to properly train and educate children, live a Christian life, practice self-denial, build solid character rather than superficial selfish indulgence and outward display, and prepare them for a home in heaven.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 23–26+1 Fathers and mothers, themselves not their own but temples of the Holy Ghost bought by infinite sacrifice, should at marriage reconsecrate themselves to God so Christ abides in the home, glorify Him by cultivating sweetness of disposition, overcoming natural tendencies to wrong, speaking kindly under all circumstances, putting away fretfulness, impatience, quarreling, unkind speech, harsh voice and disagreeableness, and from the beginning educating children to love and fear God and not have their own way, since none unrenewed by the Spirit can enter the heavenly home and character must first be transformed.Ms 70, 1903, par. 19–21 As coworkers with Christ in saving their own souls and their children's, parents must teach their purchased heritage to put pleasing God first and pleasing associates second, to obey God's law in every particular without transgression even when it displeases associates, and to give neighbors example of active earnest sincere piety and practical obedience, while children glorify God by first giving Him their hearts, accepting Him as personal Saviour, consecrating body, soul and spirit as temple for His indwelling, and serving Him in response to love shown in sending His Son to die.7MR 8.3–9.1+1

Respect for human life rests on God's claim on humanity and the possibility of being uplifted through Christ, requiring glorifying God rather than self in body and spirit.Lt 98, 1896, par. 61–64 Every person in body, soul and spirit belongs to God and has been redeemed by Christ's blood, so harming them through religious bigotry is offensive to God, and every injustice, harm, fraudulent action and pang of physical suffering inflicted on God's heritage is written in heaven as done to Jesus Christ in the person of His heritage, while help to the needy is registered as done to Christ.DA 487.4–488.1+1 No finite human can claim another as property, be mind and judgment for another, or compel religious faith and conscience, nor mix sacred with carnal by conforming the church to the world and binding consciences through secular power.Lt 80a, 1895, par. 31–34 Colored people belong to Christ just as white people do, so none has license to exclude them from places of worship; they are to hold membership in the church with white brethren, receive every effort to wipe out the terrible wrong done to them, and be treated as belonging to Christ.STA 159.2+1 Correct knowledge of this ownership makes men fear and tremble, for every work will be reviewed before God, the cruel punished according to works and the faithful and true receiving patience under trial.Lt 80a, 1895, par. 31–34