"I know," says the Apostle, "both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry; both to abound and to suffer need." -- Phil. 4:12.
The Saviour, when he was hungry after having fasted forty days, would not
obtain bread in the manner suggested by the devil. We should follow this
example. No matter how strong may be the cravings of appetite, or to what
straits we may be reduced, we should remember that there is something more to
be considered than simply whether what is presented will assuage hunger, or
satisfy thirst. Have I the right to it? Can I obtain the right on conditions
with which I may lawfully comply? Esau did not steal, but he sold his
birthright to obtain means to gratify his hunger. Many do the same today. The
bodily appetites clamor for indulgence. Satan offers to gratify them on
condition of some service rendered to him, -- as breaking the Sabbath, catering
to the vices of others, preaching the Gospel in such a manner as to throw out
of sight the cross and the self-denial. A holy person will suffer the pangs of
hunger before he will obtain his bread by any of these methods. If he will not
resort to these means to keep from starving, of course he will not for any
other purpose.
True holiness will give one such control over his
appetites that he will not indulge them in an inordinate degree. He eats to
live, but does not live to eat. His tastes are simple and natural. His wants
are easily satisfied. He who spends large sums of money to gratify his own
pampered tastes, while so many are perishing of want, may be orthodox and
polite, but he is not holy. No matter though he can afford to be "clothed in
purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day," yet he sees
representatives of Christ in the destitute around him, and he denies himself of
luxuries that he may minister to their necessities. Church festivals, to raise
money, are open to this, among other objections. They educate the people to
make self-gratification a stronger motive to action than duty to God, and to
our fellow men. They assume that Christians will do more for their stomachs'
sake than they will for conscience' sake. They take it for granted that they
care more for their own sensual enjoyment, than they do for the claims of God,
or the sufferings of their fellow men.
True holiness saves those who enjoy it from all
unnatural, depraved appetites which have been formed by a course of sinful
indulgence. Such is man's depravity that he forms appetites at which his
physical nature at first revolts. After a time the indulgence of these
appetites is attended with momentary enjoyment. Such is the use of opium,
tobacco and ardent spirits. No one likes them at first. They frequently make
beginners sick. But they stimulate the nervous system, and create an
excitement which affords a certain degree of pleasure. When this excitement
passes off, it is followed by a corresponding degree of languor and depression.
This soon becomes so insupportable that the stimulant must be had at any cost.
An appetite is formed that the victims will gratify at the expense of every
thing which men hold dear. Property, friends, reputation, standing, health,
and even life itself are sacrificed to gratify an appetite which brutalizes and
enslaves. The only safe course is to avoid the beginning. But for those who
sincerely repent of their wickedness in forming and feeding such an appetite,
God provides a remedy. The promise,
"If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," -- I John 1:9
covers this ground. The appetite for either of the stimulants named, cannot be
godly -- this no one contends. It cannot be indifferent, -- it is of too
positive a character. It is an unrighteousness, -- both its nature and its
effects proclaim this. That it is true of the appetite for opium and the
appetite for ardent spirits is generally conceded. No one will maintain that a
drunkard is holy.
"This ye know, that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God." -- I Cor. 10:6
But an habitual tobacco user is as clearly condemned by the Scriptures, as is
the one who habitually uses ardent spirits as a beverage. His habit involves,
of necessity, personal filthiness. But we are commanded to cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh, and of the Spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of the Lord. We readily admit that the works of holiness may be begun in
the heart of a person who uses tobacco. But it cannot go on and this habit
continue. One or the other will cease. He will cease to advance in holiness,
or he will abandon his unholy habits. No person can perfect holiness without
cleansing himself from all filthiness of the flesh, as well as of the Spirit.
Again, we are commanded to eat and drink to the
glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). We do this when we eat temperately, and such
things as do not injure us or others. But it is a fact, as clearly established
as any fact can be, that the habitual use of tobacco breaks down the nervous
system, and brings on many diseases. No man,. immoderately addicted to the
use of tobacco, can retain his mental vigor, and his bodily soundness, as he
could without it. No one, seeing a professed Christian smoking or chewing,
will think any more highly of the Christian religion on that account. It is an
act, to say the least, in which God is not glorified.
No man has the right to spend the Lord's money in
this way. It is God who gives the power to get wealth. It should be used to
advance His cause, -- to make men better, -- to relieve their wants and
instruct them in the way of life. A Christian man cannot spend his money as he
wills, but must use it as the Lord wills.
But there is little use in multiplying words on
this subject. Those who are really in earnest to gain Heaven, and who are
willing to meet the conditions of salvation, cannot fail to see the necessity
of denying themselves of the gratification of an appetite formed in sin, the
indulgence of which can do no good, but must eventually result in much harm.
Those who make religion a mere matter of convenience, or fashion, would not be
convinced any way, and it would do no good if they were. It is useless to talk
against idols, to men who are joined to their idols. But to those who have
formed this appetite, and wish to be delivered from it, we say holiness will do
it. Seek earnestly to be delivered from bondage to your animal nature, and you
shall be delivered. You will become spiritual by becoming holy.
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." -- Rom. 8:14.
"Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it." -- I Thess. 5:24.