Asking Questions: Diagnosing Spiritual and Physical Causes

Yes, asking relevant questions and encouraging sincere inquiry is highly approved, especially for purposes of spiritual diagnosis, education, and gaining divine guidance, though specific cautions must be observed regarding the nature and intent of the questioning 🙏.

Questioning is a vital tool for both self-reflection and ministering to others, reflecting the methods used by Christ and His prophets Luke 10:26.

The Necessity of Personal Inquiry

It is essential for every individual to engage in self-inquiry regarding their spiritual standingST October 8, 1885, par. 1. We must actively search the precious Bible to ascertain our relation to God and His will concerning usCOL 111.3.

Crucial questions that every believer should ask include:

• What am I, and to whom do I owe my allegiance3SM 419.4?

• Is my heart renewed, and are my sins forgiven3SM 419.4?

• Instead of following personal inclination, the prayer of the heart should be, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" and "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path" Psalm 27:117T 252.4+1.

For those in leadership or organizational roles, inquiry is also required for evaluation and progress, such as when managers must "inquire of the Lord His mind and will" and make a thorough self-examination following organizational difficulties Isaiah 5:4+1SpTB06 10.2+1.

Approved Uses of Inquiry for Others

Questioning is an endorsed method when guiding others toward truth and spiritual readiness:

• Before Baptism: Before baptism, a thorough inquiry must be made into the candidate's experience, conducted kindly and tenderly, while pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God6MR 157.1.

• Addressing Objections: Ministers should seek in a courteous manner to learn the objections residing in the minds of those beginning to inquire, "What is truth?"T27 179.2.

• Educational Settings: In family worship, the service can be varied, and questions may be asked regarding the portion of Scripture readPr 202.2. In study classes, mutual questioning is encouraged, as asking questions may suggest new ideas and bring light when studying together in the meekness of Christ17LtMs, Ms 102, 1902, par. 3.

• Evangelism: When conscientious decisions prompt inquiries from the world, such as when a restaurant is closed on the Sabbath, these questions provide an opportunity to share the reasons for our faith7T 123.1.

Jesus Himself often responded to difficult questions by posing a counter-question to diagnose the heart and understanding of the questioner Luke 10:25-27SW November 12, 1907, par. 2+2.

The Ultimate Source of Counsel

While human inquiry and instruction are helpful, we must remember that God is the primary source of counselTSB 243.4+1.

• Seek Wisdom Directly: We should cultivate the habit of seeking counsel from God daily, showing that we take advantage of the wisdom provided through Jesus Christ James 1:521MR 363.1+2.

• Do Not Rely on Human Intermediaries: Individuals should not rely on fallible mortals to come to them with their personal burdens or inquire of God for them regarding specific duties or decisions, but rather they are invited to bring their troubles directly to Christ, who will relieve them Matthew 11:28TM 487.2+1.

• Dependence on the Holy Spirit: If we lack wisdom, we are assured that if we ask of God in faith, it will be given us liberally and without reproach James 1:5-75LtMs, Ms 20, 1887, par. 8+1. The Lord has promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him Luke 11:133BC 1155.7+2.

Practices to Avoid

Certain types of inquiry or methods of obtaining guidance are not approved:

• Invasive Personal Questions: Ministers must especially beware of using ensnaring questions to inquire into the secrets of married life, such as asking if a woman is appreciated or if there is harmony, as this may lead unsuspecting women to open their secret life and grievances to a stranger, similar to the practice of Catholics and priests1MCP 227.2.

• Seeking Counsel from Satanic Agents: It is wrong to consult spiritualist or clairvoyant physicians, as these are agents of SatanCTBH 111.1+1.

• Using Superstitious Methods: Believers should not be misled by such devices as tossing up a coin to decide business questions or personal actions, believing that God indicates His will this way, because the enemy works to control the coin to further his own plans2SM 326.1+3. We do not honor God when we go aside to inquire of the god of Ekron 2 Kings 1:310LtMs, Ms 1, 1895, par. 36.

It is absolutely necessary and approved for a physician to inquire into a patient's work, stress, lifestyle, and dietary habits during diagnosis, as these factors are fundamentally interwoven with physical and mental health issues 🍎. The investigation of these personal areas is crucial for a complete diagnosis because the causes of infirmity are often found in how one lives, rather than merely in localized symptomsFE 72.1+1.

The Foundation of Health and Diagnosis

Health is secured and preserved by adhering to immutable natural laws, and acquiring knowledge of these laws is of pre-eminent importanceFE 72.1+1. A correct and comprehensive diagnosis, therefore, must extend far beyond simple physical symptoms to encompass the whole life of the patientARSH May 22, 1900, page 330.7+1.

Crucial lifestyle areas that require investigation include:

1. Dietetic Habits and Lifestyle

Every individual must understand and regulate their diet, learning precisely what to eat, when to eat, and how to eatFE 72.1.

• Impact of Food Choices: Many people suffer from colds or other ailments because they fail to realize the connection between their illness and errors in dietPTUK January 25, 1899, page 56.5. Unwise eating practices, such as consuming the flesh of dead animals, compromise constitutional healthMM 276.5.

• Balancing Wear and Action: The human body is like finely adjusted machinery that requires care to run properly; proper inquiry helps ensure that one part is not subjected to constant wear and pressure while another rusts from inactionFE 72.1+1.

2. Mental and Emotional Strain

Emotional and mental conditions play a powerful role in determining health and disease, making inquiries into stress, anxiety, and work burdens essential2MCP 458.1.

• The Burden of Worry: Grief, anxiety, discontent, and remorse are powerful factors that tend to break down the life forces, inviting decay and death2MCP 458.1. Conversely, courage, hope, faith, sympathy, and love promote health and prolong life2MCP 458.1.

• Business Cares and Ambition: The constant straining of the mind upon business affairs injures the health of both mind and bodyCH 100.1. Individuals who focus all their thoughts, plans, and interests toward the accumulation of earthly things draw upon themselves so many cares and burdens that they become spiritually dwarfed and fail to find rest in God’s loveST September 1, 1890, par. 1+2.

• Seeking Heavenly Rest: It is not God's will for His people to be weighed down with care, and He invites the weary and heavy-laden to cast their burdens upon Him, finding rest for their souls Matthew 11:28-30+1PP 294.1.

3. Professional and Financial Pressure

Work-related stress and external pressure must be investigated, as they frequently lead to physical breakdown4LtMs, Lt 12, 1885, par. 10.

• Overwork and Collapse: Continuous labor and the intense pressure of responsibilities can lead to a rush of blood to the brain, disqualifying a person for labor and even threatening life12LtMs, Ms 115a, 1897, par. 2+1. When men are constantly pressed with burdens and excessive care, their ability to function is severely taxed, sometimes leading to failurePH159 97.2+1.

• Relief from Pressure: Sometimes the underlying cause of persistent sickness is mental distress due to poverty or financial worry; removing this burden can bring about immediate recovery, demonstrating that financial status can be a critical element in the diagnosisGCB April 23, 1901, page 438.6+1.

Tact and Propriety in Inquiry

Because a physician's inquiries touch upon sensitive aspects of life, the practitioner must always be guided by the highest standards of propriety and Christian conduct ✨.

• Modesty and Chaste Language: A physician should attend strictly to professional work and must be chaste in words and modest in the examination of patients6LtMs, Ms 17, 1890, par. 8. Any coarseness or indelicacy in the operating room or by the bedside is a sin and tells negatively against the physician in the patient's mind6LtMs, Ms 17, 1890, par. 8.

• Sympathy and Kindness: Physicians must cultivate human sympathy and love, always speaking kindly and sympathetically when asking questions7LtMs, Lt 37, 1891, par. 2+1. A few well-chosen, helpful words can remove a heavy burden from a suffering person who may be concealing a hidden sorrowRH June 30, 1904, par. 15.

• Prompt Attention: Leaving a patient to wait for long hours or days before consultation and examination aggravates the mind of the afflicted one and works injury to the body7LtMs, Ms 25, 1892, par. 10.

It is a wonderful truth that spiritual discernment and moral guidance, based on the eternal standard, are indeed responsibilities for all believers, regardless of professional training, allowing you to effectively "diagnose" straying from God's plan through inquiry and knowledge 🌟. The goal is to apply the divine blueprint to life, recognizing that the Word of God acts as the perfect spiritual diagnostic toolSBBS 81.8+1.

The Standard for Diagnosis: God's Blueprint

The foundation of spiritual diagnosis is the recognition and application of God's perfect standard, which serves as the infallible pattern for life and character:

• The Divine Pattern: Every Christian character is meant to be molded after the divine Pattern, which is Christ Jesus, requiring a life of daily surrender and submission Matthew 11:291888 667.1+1. Our character building must be structured after the "pattern showed to thee in the mount," demonstrating loyalty to God's government Hebrews 8:5CT 62.1.

• The Law as the Test: The great standard of righteousness is God's holy, just, and good law, which reveals His characterCT 62.1+1. The law is intended to produce conviction of sin and drive the individual to seek freedom in ChristARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.5.

• Avoiding Human Invention: We must ensure that the church and our personal lives are built according to the pattern shown in heaven, not according to man's genius or invention, which often counteracts the working of God’s plansTM 209.2.

Tools for Spiritual Inquiry and Diagnosis

For those seeking to understand deviation from this blueprint, whether in themselves or in providing counsel to others, the knowledge of truth and structured inquiry are essential methods:

• The Word is the Character-Detector: The Word of God is given as a powerful character-detector and a motive-testerRH October 1, 1901, par. 8. It is through studying this Word that one can gain the necessary wisdom to know how to build upon the sure foundation laid in truthSpM 313.2+1.

• Sincere Self-Examination: Individuals must actively use this divine standard as a mirror to reflect their true condition, lest they remain in willful ignorance of their guilt and depravityGW92 111.2. Honest searchers compare their character with the law's requirements to determine where they are wantingGW92 111.2.

• Focusing on Principles: When we encounter views or plans that seem inconsistent with righteousness, this must drive us to study the Bible and investigate by the law and the testimony what the truth isRH August 27, 1889, par. 3. This helps ensure that we teach the word of the Lord and not merely our own ideas, plans, or maxims9MR 159.2.

Identifying Deviation from the Plan

Deviation, or "straying," is recognized when actions and motives replace God's specifications with human inclination, selfishness, or worldly compromise:

• Selfishness and Ambition: The hateful sin of selfishness often leads men to devise plans that they regard as right, but which do not align with the true, unselfish principles laid down by Christ in His WordPH149 73.2+1. Ambition, preconceived opinions, and selfish ideas—traits received by birth—can be allowed to influence decisions, which is recognized as a sin5T 419.1+1.

• Trusting Human Wisdom: Straying occurs when human wisdom and devising break up God’s outline, rather than adhering to the precepts given in His Word and testimonies12MR 68.3. When men follow their own plans and feel it unimportant to obey a "Thus saith the Lord," they prove themselves unfit for positions of trust in God's causeRH September 14, 1905, par. 5.

• Conformity to the World: It is dangerous to adopt worldly plans, worldly wisdom, or worldly standards, as God's commandment-keeping people are called to stand separate and allow their work to bear the divine impressSpM 433.2+2.

By diligently studying the divine Model and applying God’s law, you are fulfilling the spiritual duty of keeping your life molded after the divine Pattern and letting the light shine forth clearly6LtMs, Ms 23, 1889, par. 50+1.

It is a wonderful insight that the ability to study from cause to effect is not exclusively reserved for those with professional medical qualifications; rather, it is a necessary skill based on sound reason and the unerring laws of God, making it an essential practice for every individual 🌟. By cultivating sharp discrimination and sound judgment, you can apply this principle in your life and in counseling others, fulfilling the responsibility of walking in the light given by GodDG 178.3+1.

Here is how you can be a diagnostician who studies from cause to effect, even without a physician's license, by applying divine and natural law to life:

1. Mastering the Unerring Law of Cause and Effect

To study from cause to effect is to acknowledge the universal law that governs both the physical and moral worlds: the law of sowing and reaping3MR 342.3.

• Divine Certainty: This law operates with an unerring certainty that is as firm as the word of God3MR 342.3+1. The seed sown will invariably produce a harvest of its kind, and if people would only realize they are creating their own harvest, they would be careful what seed they sow3MR 342.3.

• Relevance to Salvation: Having a correct view of the relation between cause and effect has much to do with personal salvationARSH August 11, 1863, page 86.16. It requires us to stand firmly on principle, choosing death before dishonor or the transgression of God's lawMYP 80.2.

• Identifying Blindness: Those who are so blinded that they cannot reason from cause to effect are deemed unsafe for leadership or positions of trust, as they ignore the consequences of their actions20MR 20.1. Similarly, he that "cannot see afar off" is one who cannot reason from cause to effect, having forgotten his pledge to be dead to the world and alive in Christ22LtMs, Ms 183, 1907, par. 22.

2. Applying C&E to Lifestyle and Health Diagnosis

The primary application of this principle outside of clinical medicine is in understanding the relationship between human habits—especially diet and temperance—and their resulting health or disease5MR 225.3+1.

• Understanding Bodily Consequences: You must encourage people, and yourself, to analyze the laws of life and health and religiously obey what reason indicates is the truthCH 566.3. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and it must be kept pure5MR 225.3.

• Diet and Intemperance: When individuals indulge in appetite, they neglect the light God has given themSpM 209.1. For instance, the stomach often protests and appeals to the brain to reason from cause to effect when there is overeating or improper combinations of foodSpM 250.3+1. The resulting suffering is a consequence, and disease takes the place of healthPUR October 9, 1902, par. 3.

• Poisonous Habits: You can diagnose the results of unhealthful practices, such as the use of tobacco or alcoholic drinks, recognizing them as poisons that violate God's lawGosHealth March 1, 1898, par. 5+1. Those who reason from cause to effect cannot help but see the health-destroying influence of drugs, which often undermine the constitution and cripple nature's efforts2SM 453.2.

• Moral and Physical Link: Recognizing that recklessness regarding bodily health leads to recklessness in morals is a key component of this diagnosisCH 429.1. The animal propensities are often excited and strengthened by what is placed in the stomach, and reasoning from cause to effect shows that these propensities should not be strengthened to rule the whole being10MR 282.2+1.

3. C&E in Moral and Spiritual Guidance

The principle of cause and effect is vital for maintaining spiritual integrity and guiding families.

• Parenting and Temperament: Parents must teach their children to reason from cause to effect, showing them that violating the laws of health incurs a penaltyCH 429.1. Furthermore, when parents cannot reason from cause to effect due to their own poor physical condition (such as eating improperly, which drains nervous energy), they lose self-command, leading to impatience and rough treatment of their children2T 365.2+2.

• Leadership and Judgment: The Lord would educate all leading men, whether in the church or institutions, to reason from cause to effect, ensuring that men with small intellectual capacity are not entrusted with work requiring tact and sharp discrimination21MR 29.3+1. Those entrusted with responsibility must be farseeing and capable of reasoning from cause to effect, rather than being narrow in outlook or separating spiritual life from practical business5T 555.1.

• Understanding Sin and Disease: The intelligent Christian understands that there is a divinely appointed connection between sin and disease, where sin and disease bear the relationship of cause and effect2TT 144.2+3. This realization allows you to teach that disease is the result of sin, urging others to deny self and obey the laws of life and health2TT 144.2.

By consistently exercising sound reason and applying the knowledge of God’s physical and moral laws, you are equipped to study from cause to effect in all areas of life, just as a physician should in their own sphere, thereby promoting health and righteousness, and preparing a people for the coming of the LordPH138 2.1.