4:81 Timothy 4:8

Physical training yields only small and limited benefit, while a godly life is beneficial in every part of life.Ms 5, 1874, par. 3–6+2 Godliness carries with it assurance for both the present life and the life to come.CTBH 14.1+2 In this life that assurance brings true enjoyment without regret, freedom from gloom, and peace, happiness and contentment, with an honored and useful life now and far greater honor and joy hereafter.CTBH 14.1+2 It does not promise riches in houses and lands, but even the lowliest humble learner will stand high in God's kingdom and inherit what cannot perish.Ms 31, 1911, par. 47+2 Godliness must be trained by disciplined exercise in spiritual things, for the mind grows strong in whatever direction it is used, and truth must be lived and not merely known.2T 189.1+2

Bodily exercise has only little or limited profit, while godliness is profitable for all things in every part of life.4T 405.1+4 Bodily discipline does have some benefit and physical exercise is needed alongside mental exercise and relaxation, but its value remains limited beside godliness which benefits every part of life both now and in the life to come.CE 34.2+1 In worship this means that strained, forceful singing and showy bodily gestures are mere physical effort that do not make worship pleasing to God or deepen its spiritual effect, and sacred music should instead be dignified, solemn, and melodious.Ms 5, 1874, par. 3–6 Amusements must be temperate and judged by their effects on physical, mental, and moral health and on devotion to God.CE 34.2 Temperance in all things, including bringing taste under reason, subduing appetite, and controlling the passions, is needed to support a well-balanced mind and efforts toward eternal life.Lt 36, 1887, par. 13

Physical excitement, working oneself into a frenzy, and gesturing do not prove zeal for God or true godliness.4T 405.1+3 Bodily exertion or outward physical display has little value as evidence of zeal, and working oneself into excitement does not prove godliness.4T 405.1+1 Ministers should instead use healthy, disciplined habits of speaking so their words retain their force and their usefulness is preserved.CE 241.1–3

Godliness is profitable for every part of life, carrying the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.CTBH 14.1+4 It benefits the present world as well as the life to come, so that a life that reckons with eternity and seeks lasting heavenly treasure is also enriched and ennobled here.ED 145.2–4+1 God cares for temporal needs and earthly good is not beneath His notice, and devotion to His kingdom brings His blessing upon daily affairs.Lt 8, 1873, par. 10–13

The promise gives real enjoyment and steadiness in this life, for walking in wisdom and holiness brings life's true and genuine pleasures without regret over wasted time.CTBH 14.1+2 It frees from gloom, inward foreboding and fearful looking forward, giving instead peace, happiness and contentment.CTBH 14.1+3 Religion so lived is not injurious but brings the greatest happiness, an honored, useful and happy life here and infinitely greater honor, usefulness and joy hereafter, forming a character fit for heaven through persevering righteousness and disciplining the mind to love devotion and heavenly things.Lt 1b, 1873, par. 2+2

That promise does not mean becoming rich in houses or lands, yet those who serve God and engage in His work can be assured of it.Ms 31, 1911, par. 47+1 Those who accept Christ as Saviour have this promise, and their abilities and education and aims belong in loyal service to God toward the heavenly prize and better inheritance.SCE 5.2+1 Even the lowliest true disciple may become an inhabitant of heaven and heir to an inheritance that cannot perish or be taken away.SCE 5.2+1 Such a one humbly accepts Christ's yoke, learns His meekness and lowliness, keeps the natural desire to be first in subjection, and develops a Godlike character, and will stand higher in God's kingdom than one who exalts self and misrepresents the truth.Lt 44, 1903, par. 40

The blessings of both lives come through Christ and the new covenant, for those who receive Christ become children of God and joint-heirs with Him, receiving through the covenant every blessing Heaven can give.ST Dec 23, 1908 God's favor and gifts bless believers now, while a life of obedience leads to everlasting life and prepares for heaven.FE 234.1 Those who obey God's word are promised what they need for this life as well as the life to come, since obeying God matters more than food.COS 47.3–48.2 Receiving God's grace and faithfully doing today's duties supplies strength for each day and prepares for tomorrow's trials.Lt 141a, 1896, par. 8+1

Godliness must be trained by regular exercise in spiritual and heavenly things, for the mind disciplined to dwell on divine things grows strong spiritually.2T 189.1+2 Just as faculties strengthened by use in worldly pursuits grow strong in that direction, so repeated directing of the whole being toward heavenly things builds spiritual strength and capacity for a godly life.2T 189.1+1 A mind occupied with worldly concerns grows strong toward the world but weak in spiritual understanding, making it hard to serve God and appreciate eternal things.2T 189.1+1 Merely knowing truth or praying for strength is not enough; truth must be lived, devotion must be loved through persevering righteousness and religious exercise, and spiritual knowledge must grow by continued practice.2T 189.1+2 Such cultivation forms a character fit for heaven and brings the greatest happiness, since godliness unlike bodily exercise benefits the whole life now and in the life to come.2T 506.2+1

Exercising oneself unto godliness requires humble, wholehearted consecration to God and a decided change in the objects and pursuits of life toward continual exercise in spiritual things.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+2 Salvation is impossible without that change, which shows itself in growing interest in and devotion to heavenly things, improvement in spiritual soundness and wisdom in the things of God, education of the powers for service in God's cause, and possession of the armor of righteousness to ward off the enemy's darts.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+1 It means actively doing good and faithfully carrying out duties rather than remaining passive, giving sympathy, encouragement and instruction, and exercising self-restraint, love, patience and forbearance.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+1 That active service develops faith, obedience, hope and love to God and produces spiritual health and strength profitable in this life.5T 281.1+1 For ministers it means bearing Christlikeness, counting the cost and letting patience conquer passion, refusing fables and being nourished in faith and good doctrine, taking heed to character, words, conduct and doctrine, preaching and practicing practical faith and obedience and doing his own words, and laboring and suffering reproach while trusting the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of believers.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+1

Practiced knowledge of the Bible is true godliness, for study of the Scriptures reveals God's will and what He expects of beings formed in His image.Ms 24, 1891, par. 63+2 It teaches how to improve the present life and secure the future life, expanding the mind with imperishable knowledge for those who put the word into practice.COL 41.4–42.1+2 It turns the mind from earth to heaven, brings the repentant sinner into a new relation with God as a new creature in Christ Jesus, and by transforming grace leads him to take Christ's yoke and work together with God in oneness with the Father.Ms 24, 1891, par. 63+1 Daily nourishment from the Word ennobles every thought, feeling and aspiration, satisfies the questionings of the mind and the craving of the heart, and lifts men from the lowest depths of ignorance and degradation to become sons of God and associates of sinless angels.Ms 24, 1891, par. 63+1 So enlightened, the life gives unmistakable evidence of sanctifying truth and becomes a witness and spectacle to angels, unfallen worlds and fellow men.Ms 24, 1891, par. 63+1

Godliness is profitable for health of body and strength of soul, both now and forever, because it is in harmony with the laws of health and benefits every part of life with promise for the present life and the life to come.CTBH 14.1+2 It does not neglect the laws governing present human life or treat bodily health as unimportant, but transforms the whole person, body as well as soul and spirit.CTBH 164.2–3 True religion is not injurious to health and is not detrimental to body or mind, for pure religion brings peace, happiness and contentment, and walking in wisdom and holiness brings real enjoyment, freedom from regret over wasted time, and steadiness rather than gloom and foreboding.CTBH 14.1+3 The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for the sick, and the more deeply heavenly influences are realized the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid, since heaven is all health.HRP 19.2 Living in harmony with the laws of life by temperance in all things, bringing taste under reason, subduing appetite and controlling the passions, prevents needless infirmity, produces a well-balanced mind, aids recovery, and cooperates with efforts to secure the future life, while reverence for God is the foundation of true prosperity and health and domestic life bear on the prospects of obtaining the life to come.CTBH 14.1+2 True godliness is Christ and reliance alone upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, not pharisaical self-imposed fasting and prayer that injures health and trusts in own good works to buy heaven by merit.HRP 19.2

God cares for temporal needs and earthly good is not beneath His notice, so devotion to His kingdom brings His blessing to daily affairs.Lt 8, 1873, par. 10–13 Obedience and faithfulness to God's commands bring the richest blessings and what is needed in this life as well as the life to come, for providing food is less important than obeying God.COS 47.3–48.2+1 Godliness also brings wisdom in secular matters, so its benefits extend to practical life as well as eternal life.Lt 22c, 1890, par. 5–7 Wasting life in idle daydreaming and failing to develop character can wreck hope for happiness now and hereafter.4T 654.3

True education develops the physical, mental and spiritual powers harmoniously, preparing for joy and service in this world and for wider service in the world to come.ED 13.1 Those who accept Christ as Saviour have this promise, and their abilities belong in loyal service to God rather than Satan, with even the lowliest disciple able to become an inhabitant of heaven and an heir to an inheritance that cannot perish or be taken away.SCE 5.2 A pure heart and virtuous character are necessary for those who serve God and work for others' salvation, for godliness is essential and profitable for both this life and the life to come.FE 109.3 Godliness is the fruit of genuine repentance whose worth is shown by itself through good works and brings present and future happiness, and true reform produces the fruit of the Spirit and leads those who love God to care for the people Christ died to save, working to restore, heal, free and lift them up.RH Jul 22, 1902+1

Service to Christ is profitable both in this life and in the life to come and calls for determined purpose to bring every power of mind and life into that service.RH Sep 1, 1910+1 Directing thoughts, plans and purposes toward accumulating earthly things centers the heart, anxiety, study and interests on the world and draws attention away from Scripture study, earnest prayer and intelligent obedience by which to escape Satan's snares.RH Sep 1, 1910+1 Such worldly concentration causes heavenly attractions to lose their beauty and the glories of the eternal world to cease to have the force of reality, fixes the heart with earthly treasure, and concentrates every faculty on chosen worldly work so that the warnings and entreaties of the Word and Spirit are not heeded.RH Oct 20, 1910

Securing the approval of the heavenly Father is the great motive to keep ever before the minds of children.ST Aug 12, 1913 Serving God is not an irksome task but a precious privilege that gives an honored, useful and happy life here and infinitely greater honor, usefulness and joy hereafter.ST Aug 12, 1913 This is taught by precept and example, from the Bible and from nature, teaching reverence for God and for His word and showing in daily life a continual seeking to know and do His will.ST Aug 12, 1913

Everything connected with worship is to be dignified, solemn, melodious and impressive, and singing is as much an act of worship as speaking.Ms 5, 1874, par. 3–6+1 Strained, forced singing and showy bodily display profit little, for physical effort and display do not make worship acceptable or deepen its spiritual effect.Ms 5, 1874, par. 3–6+1 Throwing the body into acting attitudes, coarse unrefined gestures, bodily contortions, harsh loud singing with full power and volume, and drowning out finer more musical voices destroy the solemn impression sacred music should make.Ms 5, 1874, par. 3–6+1 Such harsh exertion exhibits self, amuses the curious, and excites levity and disgust, removing the conviction and solemnity produced by the preaching of truth.5MR 194.3–196.1 It makes no melody to hearers on earth or to listeners in heaven and stands defective, unlike the angel choir whose singing is soft, sweet, melodious and perfect without forced straining or physical exercise.5MR 194.3–196.1

Noise, loud shouting at the top of the voice, hysterical gesticulations, moving about and throwing up the arms are bodily exercise that profits little or nothing.Lt 202, 1900, par. 4+1 Such outward display, formal gestures, noise and playing on words have no divine eloquence and do not demonstrate pure and true godliness.Lt 202, 1900, par. 4+1 True religion is inward communion with Christ and the meek quiet spirit formed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, following Christ rather than human patterns.Lt 202, 1900, par. 4+1 These manifestations are not the Holy Spirit and must not be credited or encouraged as the Spirit, for to encourage such wild excitement as the Spirit prepares the way for great deception.Lt 202, 1900, par. 4 The true work of truth is carried forward in clear elevated dignity with no trace of wild fanaticism, not in gesticulation and loud boisterous shouting.Lt 202, 1900, par. 4

Outward religious activity and spiritual impressions set above Scripture profit little when they lead people to reject the plain teaching of the Bible and trample upon the law.ST Feb 26, 1885 The Spirit agrees with the word and leads into truth, so impressions that oppose the word cannot be trusted as guidance.ST Feb 26, 1885 Where religion is expressed mainly through outward bodily actions as distinct from inward piety, the contrast between bodily exercise and inward godliness calls for a different approach to religious instruction.ST Feb 26, 1885+1

Ministers are charged to exercise themselves unto godliness rather than relying on physical exertion and excited gestures, since bodily exercise has limited benefit while godliness is profitable for all things with promise for the present life and the life to come.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+1 Physical exertion and excited gestures do not prove zeal for God, and healthy disciplined habits of speaking preserve usefulness so that words retain their force.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9+1 Exercising unto godliness means bearing Christlikeness, counting the cost, letting patience conquer passion, refusing fables, and being nourished in faith and good doctrine.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9 It means taking heed to character, words, conduct and doctrine, preaching practical faith and obedience to self as well as to hearers, doing and practicing the doctrine preached, and laboring and suffering reproach while trusting the living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers.Lt 119, 1900, par. 7–9