What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What is the biblical definition of fleshly lusts?"
Answer
The biblical definition of “fleshly lusts” encompasses the entire low, corrupt nature of humanity, in which sinful passions and desires reside. It is not limited to immorality, but includes any harmful gratification of appetite, such as the consumption of stimulants, unhealthy eating, or excess that opposes moral forces. These desires wage a continual battle against the spiritual capacities of the soul and must, through the grace of Christ, be brought under the rule of conscience.
The comprehensive meaning of fleshly lusts
»The terms “flesh” or “fleshly” or “fleshly lusts” encompass the low, corrupt nature; the flesh itself cannot act against God’s will. We are commanded to crucify the flesh together with its passions and lusts. How are we to do this? Should we inflict pain on the body? No; rather we are to kill the temptation to sin. The depraved thought must be driven out... All animal inclinations must be subordinated to the higher forces of the soul.«
Warning against gratifying appetite
»\"Abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul,\" is the language of the Apostle Peter. Many view this warning as applicable only to the immoral, but it has a broader meaning. It guards against any harmful gratification of appetite or passion. It is a very urgent warning against the use of such indulgences and narcotics as tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and morphine. These excesses can indeed be counted among the lusts that exert a corrupting influence on moral character.«
The war against the soul through diet
»God’s word warns us clearly that the physical nature comes into conflict with the spiritual nature when we do not abstain from fleshly lusts. Indulgent eating wages war against health and peace. Thus a battle is initiated between the higher and lower attributes of man. The lower inclinations, strong and active, suppress the soul. The highest interests of the being are jeopardized by the gratification of cravings that are not approved by heaven.«
The dominion of the spirit over the flesh
»In the kingdom of God the Spirit reigns... therefore the absolute dominion of the Spirit means the complete liberation of the body from all “fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul.” The flesh’s desires will remain in the flesh; but only the sense of the Spirit will be fulfilled. What a glorious thing it is that this gospel comes to us and that all this freedom... is for us, if we are ready to pay the price, namely the absolute, constant, and eternal dedication to God.«
Consequences of fleshly indulgences on spirituality
»God requires this. The reason such spiritual darkness prevails is that the spirit is content to occupy a low level and is not directed upward into a pure, holy, and heavenly channel. ... When men and women profess a strong faith and serious spirituality, I know their profession is false if they have not brought all their passions under control.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
