Dietary Reform and the Call to Stop Meat Consumption

Yes, the light given by the Lord is that His people are to take a firm stand against meat-eating as they prepare for His soon appearingEv 663.2+2. Since the mid-19th century, it has been clearly presented that if we desire pure blood and clear minds, we must give up the use of flesh meatsEv 663.2+1.

The Purpose of Diet Reform

• Spiritual and Mental Clarity: Meat-eating strengthens the animal nature while weakening the spiritual nature, making the mind incapable of fully understanding the truthEv 663.2+2.

• Protection from Disease: The Lord introduced these principles in His mercy so that His people might be better fitted to resist the increase of disease and stand unharmed during the final plaguesPGGC 88.1.

• Restoring the Original Plan: In Eden, God provided fruits, grains, and nuts for food; it was never His plan for one animal to destroy another to sustain human life Genesis 2:8-9PC 361.3+1.

Physical and Moral Consequences of Flesh-Eating

• Disease Inoculation: Flesh meats often come from diseased animals, which corrupts the blood and can lead to cancers, tumors, and scrofula7MR 421.1+2.

• Excitement of Passions: A meat diet stimulates lower passions and lustful propensities, which war against the soul and hinder spiritual advancementSA 102.1+2.

• Diminished Intellectual Power: Intellectual activity is diminished by a heavy meat diet; students, in particular, would accomplish much more if they never tasted meatCCh 230.5+2.

• Hardening of the Heart: Consuming the flesh of dead animals tends to "animalize" human nature, robbing men and women of the love and sympathy they should feel for others5MR 408.1+1.

Living by Principle

True health reform is not based on following a human criterion, but on an individual consecration to God and a desire to keep the soul-temple undefiledMR852 3.5+1. While we should not make this a test of fellowship or act with rashness toward those with lifelong habits, those in positions of influence and those looking for the Lord's return should lead by example1MR 286.3+2. By discarding stimulating and unhealthful foods, nature is given a chance to perform her work nobly, restoring strength and vitalityPC 23.1+1. Ultimately, we are to "eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God," which means laying hold of His power and promises by living faith John 6:53-54PCP 25.2+1.