EGW Writings1 Corinthians 9

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 19b, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 19b, 1892, par. 37

Those who have had great light and who have not walked in it will have darkness corresponding to the light they have despised. We have need to heed the lesson contained in the words of Paul, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 150, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 150, 1898, par. 16

The work to which Christ calls us is a progressive conquest over evils that are in ourselves. Not one soul passes through the heavenly gates but goes within to be welcomed as a conqueror. Natural and cultivated tendencies, if not overcome, will strengthen until they become habit. Wrong influences are at work to obtain the ascendancy. A truly converted soul will understand clearly the evil nature that strives for the supremacy. The body is to be kept in subjection. The higher powers of the body are to rule; the lower passions are to be brought into subjection. This is self-denial, this is lifting the cross against every passion which strives for the victory. “I keep my body under,” said Paul. [1 Corinthians 9:27.] The evils in the spirit are to be guarded and conquered. We are to be careful not to imitate the world. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. We are commanded, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him.” [1 John 2:15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 148, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 148, 1901, par. 22

God calls for workmen. He wants those who have gained an experience in the cause to enter the work in America. He wants them to take up the work in New York and in other cities where iniquity prevails. He wants them to start the work in His fear. Just as soon as possible let schools be established and workers educated to do medical missionary work. This work is the right hand of the body. It is bound up with the ministry of the gospel. God lives and reigns, and He desires those who have opposed health reform, who have worked against it by their influence, by their actions, by their sarcastic remarks, to make a thorough change. Do not longer divorce yourselves from the medical missionary work. Dr. Kellogg has been driven almost to despair as he has sought for some way in which he could bring the truth more prominently before the world. Let every minister of the gospel heed the words of Paul, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” [1 Corinthians 9:27.] God wants you to observe the strictest principles of temperance. He wants you to stand in a position of sacred nearness to Him, where you can ask and He will hear, where you know that He will be with you wherever you go.

Counsels on Health

Patterns of Piety

CH 571.1

A preacher may be dealing in sacred, holy things, and yet not be holy in heart. He may give himself to Satan to work wickedness and to corrupt the souls and bodies of his flock. Yet if the minds of women and youth professing to love and fear God were fortified with His Spirit, if they had trained their minds to purity of thought and educated themselves to avoid all appearance of evil, they would be safe from any improper advances and be secure from the corruption prevailing around them. The apostle Paul wrote concerning himself, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27.

God’s Amazing Grace

Creates Hatred for Satan, April 10

AG 108.4

Like a roaring lion, Satan is seeking for his prey. He tries his wiles upon every unsuspecting youth; there is safety only in Christ. It is through His grace alone that Satan can be successfully repulsed. Satan tells the young that there is time enough yet, that they may indulge in sin and vice this once and never again; but that one indulgence will poison their whole life. Do not once venture on forbidden ground. In this perilous day of evil, when allurements to vice and corruption are on every hand, let the earnest, heartfelt cry of the young be raised to heaven: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” And may his ears be open and his heart inclined to obey the instruction given in the answer: “By taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9). The only safety for the youth in this age of pollution is to make God their trust. Without divine help they will be unable to control human passions and appetites. In Christ is the very help needed.... You can say with the apostle: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Again; “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” (1 Corinthians 9:27).29Testimonies for the Church 2:409.

God’s Amazing Grace

That We Might Be Overcomers, April 13

AG 111.4

It is necessary to maintain a living connection with heaven, seeking as often as did Daniel—three times a day—for divine grace to resist appetite and passion. Wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will be unsuccessful; but make Christ your stronghold, and the language of your soul will be, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Said the apostle Paul, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

In Heavenly Places

The Test of Appetite, July 6

HP 194.1

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 4 [Nos. 210-259]

The Body as the Temple of God

4MR 363.2

The apostle continues “I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away” [1 Corinthians 9:27]. Everything in regard to his appetite, his words, his practices, and his passions, all his members were brought under the controlling influence of the Spirit of God and sanctified intellect. He shows to those who are around him the advantages of the knowledge that he has gained through the Scriptures and the living oracles of God. By living in connection with God, he shows the advantages he has gained by having right principles and by practicing them in his daily life. He will deny himself; he will not indulge himself.