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{The Application
Application for the Godly
Directions for Carrying On a Constant Holy Course of Life
Put Yourselves in Upright Condition
In the use of created things, beware of excess. Eat and drink for strength in service, not merely for pleasure.340 Do not let the Lord be a loser from His bounty to you. Do not lose a duty to a dinner; a full meal makes many drowsy and shortens time for duty.341 If you are given to appetite, take heed to not give to your appetite all it craves. Do not let appetite, but conscience, be your measure. Do not eat your souls into leanness. Do not let your table be your snare or that which is given to you for your health become your disease. When you are eating, remember your work, and let that limit you; eat only what will make you more fit for service. He who has a race to run or warfare before him must be temperate in all things or he may lose the race or the battle (1 Corinthians 9:24–25, Hebrews 12:1). This does not apply only to drunkards and gluttons. But even Christians who are deemed sober are more in sin in this matter than they are ordinarily aware. Their spirits would be freer, their services would be more lively, their work would be easier, and their way more pleasant if they were just more temperate. Christians, let this Scripture be with you at your tables, as well as elsewhere: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).
340Alleine uses food as an example here of temperate use of God’s gifts. He could not have imagined the magnitude of the conveniences, goods and services, to say nothing of the entertainments, recreations, hobbies, and other pleasures, that are available to much of the world today. Let the reader thoughtfully consider the matter before God. Let all we have and do be in His service or to help us serve Him, including necessary recreation, rest, and all other supports of life.
341Excess adipose tissue (fat) also deprives one of energy. The health problems caused by overweight are well known and an astonishing number of people even become disabled by obesity. Gluttony is a sin (Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:21), yet, unlike in time past, it is seldom denounced in pulpits. It is possible that the prevalence of obesity has desensitized us all to this pernicious sin. Among the suffering and labor that our Lord Jesus Christ endured for our sakes, He fasted for forty days while being tempted by the devil. He did this for us. Let this encourage us to deny ourselves and fully engage in the battle against all intemperance.
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