Health Message (January 10, 2026)

Good Sabbath Church Family,

In Galatians 5:22-23 we are told that temperance is a fruit of the Holy Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." What exactly is temperance about? Is it just referring to abstinence from food and drink that will harm us?

Temperance is more than diet and abstaining. It involves finding balance in all our activities and behaviors that may be, in themselves, good in nature. Temperance is about avoiding any harmful substance and using with balance even those things that are good. It is more comprehensive than diet. It includes temperance of time management in work, ministry, exercise, healthy eating, and any other activity. It is inclusive to food but not limited to it."

So, by using this principle we can understand that temperance can also include things we may read or choose for entertainment on TV. Ellen White leaves a strong message in relaying the harmful effects of including in godless reading.

"The pernicious practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. The mind that is occupied with exciting stories loses all relish for solid reading.... I am acquainted with many sad examples of the evil effects of this baneful practice.... The more they indulged in the appetite for this kind of mental food, the greater was the demand. The imagination constantly craved its accustomed stimulus, as the inebriate longs for his wine or tobacco. Their mental and moral powers were weakened and perverted. They lost their interest in the Scriptures, and their relish for prayer; and they were as truly ruined, mentally and spiritually, as is the liquor drinker or the tobacco devotee. Novel readers are mental inebriates; and they need to sign a pledge of total abstinence as verily as does the victim of any other form of intemperance.” 51The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1887.

This brings a much richer understanding of the scripture when we are told to do things for God’s glory. We want to be in full cooperation with the Holy Spirit as God is daily Sanctifying our lives and preparing us for Heaven.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

May God Bless Your Journey to Good Health,

Your Sister in Christ, Sandra Torres

Blessings to you!

Sandy