Apparently Yes!
Several years ago, I was asked to speak on appetite and the will at the Thomsonville (3ABN) Church in Thomsonville, IL. Preparing for my presentations I carefully studied the topics of appetite and "the will," to see what the Bible and other writers said on the subject. In reading from Ellen White, I discovered her admonishment to a married couple who insisted that their bodies required meat, to sign a pledge that they would not eat any meat for six months. I was surprised that nothing was said about tapering off for a time to gradually become accustomed to the new diet. In that same time of study I also discovered that a physician who worked with morphine addicts found that addicts who sought to taper off usually failed, but those who quit "cold turkey" succeeded! I was expecting neither piece of information, and it got me to thinking about the importance of signing pledges in pursuing victory in our lives. If it is true, then we ought to know about it and encourage the signing of pledges. If it is not true, we should discard such an idea. So I share a bit more on the subject.
Matt. 5:33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of [a]old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Does this verse forbid making a pledge or taking an oath? No!
"I was shown that when it is actually necessary, and they are called upon to testify in a lawful manner, it is no violation of God’s word for His children to solemnly take God to witness that what they say is the truth, and nothing but the truth." {1T 202.1}
Deut. 23:23 “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it."
"Press together, grow up into Christ, your living head. Let every man pay his vows to God, and do not be dishonest with your Maker, for He will repay you if you do." {Lt 31, 1889, par. 19} "He [The Lord] knew that man must have something to do in order that life might be a blessing to him. The gold and silver are the Lord’s, and He could rain them from heaven if He chose; but instead of this He has made man His steward, entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence in order that man might become, like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Him of the eternal, glorious reward." {4T 472.4}
Nehemiah 10:29-30 "They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; 30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, not take their daughters for our sons:"
Numbers 6:2 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord: 3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. 4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. 5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. 6 All the days that he separateth himself unto the Lord he shall come at no dead body." Famous Nazarites include Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist.
"Monday morning, June 2, 1879, while in attendance at a camp meeting held at Nevada, Missouri, we assembled under the tent to attend the organization of a temperance association. There was a fair representation of our people present. Elder Butler spoke, and confessed that he had not been as forward in the temperance reform as he should have been. He stated that he had always been a strictly temperance man, discarding the use of liquor, tea, and coffee, but he had not signed the pledge being circulated among our people. But he was now convinced that in not doing so he was hindering others who ought to sign it. He then placed his name under Colonel Hunter's; my husband placed his name beneath Brother Butler's, I wrote mine next, and Brother Farnsworth's followed. Thus the work was well started. Te 202.4 My husband continued to talk while the pledge was circulating. Some hesitated, thinking that the platform was too broad in including tea and coffee; but finally their names were given, pledging themselves to total abstinence." Te 203.1
"Let every God-fearing youth gird on the armor and press to the front. Put your names on every temperance pledge presented." The Youth's Instructor, July 16, 1903.
"Let not one drop of wine or liquor pass your lips, for in its use is madness and woe. Pledge yourself to entire abstinence, for it is your only safety." Manuscript 25, 1893.
The indulgence in smoking and chewing the narcotic, tobacco, becomes habit, and the appetite for these things is most difficult to overcome. But those who will come under rule to Christ, who will give their heart, soul, and strength to the Lord Jesus; who for the love of God, and for the sake of wife and children, will sign the pledge of total abstinence, and will pray in faith for the Lord to help them, will cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. They will need that faith that depends on a higher will power than their own. 13LtMs, Ms 191, 1898, par. 2
"The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet; He has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon the disposition and character. Shall we respond to the counsels and cautions given? Who among our brethren will sign a pledge to dispense with flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and all injurious foods, and become health reformers in the fullest sense of the term?" 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 7 Or this quote: "Discard from your diet flesh meat and every other unwholesome article. Sign a pledge that you will entirely discard the use of flesh meat." 20LtMs, Lt 208, 1905, par. 6
Read the Maxson Letter 1 (Lt73-1896) On Overcoming Meat Diet Letter
Find Plant-Based Recipes At This Link
"Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwonted action, but the aftereffect is sad—prostration and exhaustion of the physical, mental, and moral forces. The mind becomes enervated, and unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity of the brain is greatly lessened. CH 441.4 In some cases it is as difficult to break up this tea-and- coffee habit as it is for the inebriate to discontinue the use of liquor. The money used for tea and coffee as a common drink is worse than wasted. It does the user, be it man or woman, harm, and that continually. CH 442.1
"We thank the Lord that a victory has been gained, but we hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard, where they will sign the pledge to abstain from coffee and the herb that comes from China." CH 441.3
"It would be well if a pledge of temperance in dress could be presented for our women to sign and to observe. The intoxicating influence of extravagance and display in dress has so degrading an effect upon the minds of many women, that such a measure would seem justifiable and reasonable." 3LtMs, Ms 2, 1877, par. 10
"God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation. Let bride and bridegroom, in the presence of the heavenly universe, pledge themselves to love each other as God has ordained they should.... The wife is to respect and reverence her husband, and the husband is to love and cherish his wife."12 {AH 103.4}
It would be well for every man to sign a pledge to speak kindly in his home, to let the law of love rule his speech. Parents, never speak hastily. If your children do wrong, correct them, but let your words be full of tenderness and love. Every time you scold, you lose a precious opportunity of giving a lesson in forbearance and patience. Let love be the most prominent feature in your correction of wrong." 27 . AH 440.1
When attending a camp-meeting, keep your children by your side unless some special provision is made for them. Do not permit them to stroll about the grounds when they should be with you. If your children are unconverted, you should say to them, “Children, we have come here to be converted.” Leave nothing in the way of their conversion. If anything in your life is standing in their way, make confessions to them. If you have been speaking unkindly to them, say, “Children, I have determined to cease speaking harshly and unkindly. Will you do the best you can to help your mother to reform?” Then make a covenant with God by sacrifice to reform. If necessary, sign a pledge that henceforth, the Lord helping you, you will always be a faithful mother. . 17LtMs, Ms 87, 1902, par. 26
"Let every church member sign a pledge, in the presence of God and his brethren, that he will strictly obey the rules that Christ has given. Let those who claim to be converted read the eighteenth of Matthew, and then consider what the Lord expects of them in manifesting practical obedience." 17LtMs, Ms 26, 1902, par. 42
"There is as urgent a necessity that those who have indulged in words of complaint and criticism shall sign a solemn pledge that henceforth, by the Lord’s help, they will not speak evil of their brethren and sisters, but will take everything to God in prayer and follow out the instruction He has given regarding the pointing out of wrongs in our fellow men. Every church member may in his daily conduct be so exemplary, so prudent and careful in speech, so kind and compassionate, that he will be esteemed by all as one who fears and loves God. Such a man will have an influence for good over all his associates." 19LtMs, Ms 102, 1904, par. 19
"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." RH October 9, 1883, par. 4 Or this quote: "Our youth should be presented with a pledge to sign that they will not touch idle tales, but that they will make diligent search of the Scriptures, that they will give their minds the most nourishing, wholesome food, in order to become strong in contemplating the works of Christ who became surety for the fallen race." YI August 31, 1887, par. 7
"After the good meeting on Sabbath, some of the prominent brethren met to consider the matter of erecting a house of worship, and the other buildings spoken of. All were anxious that the plans might be carried out. Sunday forenoon the church assembled to act upon the suggestions given, and the result was far beyond our most sanguine expectations. Every member of the church gave a tangible proof of his interest in the enterprise. Thirty thousand dollars were pledged for the work, before this meeting was dismissed. There were also $1,000 pledged for the European Mission." {RH June 19, 1888, par. 3}
"I have a word more to say to you [Edson]. Will you not sign a pledge that you will no longer weaken or deface the Lord’s temple by working when you ought to rest. In order to have proper thoughts and in order to speak proper words, you must give your brain rest. You do not take sufficient time to rest. The weary brain and tired nerves would be invigorated if you would make a change in this respect. I wish that you and Emma could spend the summer with us here at St. Helena." 19LtMs, Lt 121, 1904,
"Again he presented the paper and in an authoritative manner said, “Sign this paper or resign your positions. Not only sign, but upon your honor carry out your decisions. Be true to your principles. As God's messenger I come to you and demand your names. Neither of you have seen the necessity of health reform, but when the plagues of God shall be all around you, you will then see the principles of health reform and strict temperance in all things,—that temperance alone is the foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all victories to be gained. Refuse to sign this and you will never have another solicitation. You both need your spirits humbled, softened, and let mercy, tender compassion, and dutiful tenderness take the place of coarseness, harshness, set and determined will to carry out your ideas at any cost”.... Te 201.4
Notice that the substances were to be out of sight and out of the home! Notice how much was covered in this quotation:
"Put away every particle of low speeches and vulgarism. Put away everything like intoxicating beverages out of your house and out of your sight. Before you leave Battle Creek, sign the Temperance pledge. If your wife asks for one drop of spirituous liquor, tell her no. You have spent the last cent for the vile stuff you ever shall. In your case, it must be touch not, taste not, handle not. 2LtMs, Lt 39, 1875, par. 20
Notice the following: "There is no such thing as helping you unless you co-operate fully with my efforts, and sign the pledge of total abstinence. You have by indulgence made your habit second nature, and it cannot be controlled unless the moral power shall be aroused, and you look unto Jesus, trusting in the grace he shall give to overcome this unnatural craving.” You would say, “You have lost your self-control. Your self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but it has become a physical disease. You are not your own; you are God's property. He has purchased you with an infinite price, and every faculty is to be employed in his service. Keep your body in a healthy condition to do his will; keep your intellect clear and active to think candidly and critically, and to control all your powers.”—Unpublished Testimonies, October 12, 1896. . HL 114.5
There were also suggestions to take the money saved and use it to advance God's kingdom: "Let me suggest a plan that, if followed, will be a blessing to you and to all who will act a part in it. Write out a pledge to be signed by those who will promise to abstain from some harmful or selfish indulgence, and give to the Lord the money thus saved. 18LtMs, Lt 218, 1903, par. 10 First sign this pledge yourself, then take it to your companions. Frankly tell them your determination to love and serve the Lord."
Finally, here are several paragraphs written to Elder A. G. Daniells, General Conference President, about the believers in Washington, D. C., regarding their signing pledges of total abstinence:
"A true reformation needs to take place among the believers in Washington in the matter of healthful living. If the believers there will give themselves unreservedly to God, He will accept them. If they will adopt in the matter of eating and drinking the principles of temperance that the light of health reform has brought to us, they will be richly blessed. Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh meats, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice will not continue to indulge their appetites for foods which they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 6 The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet; He has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon the disposition and character. Shall we respond to the counsels and cautions given? Who among our brethren will sign a pledge to dispense with flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and all injurious foods, and become health reformers in the fullest sense of the term?" 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 7 If we could be benefited by indulging the desire for flesh meats, I would not make this appeal to you; but I know we cannot. They are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 8 In this experience of backsliding from the principles of reform, our people have been repeating the history of the children of Israel in the wilderness during their forty years of travel. Those who continue to follow their own course in this respect, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth; they will surely reap as they have sown. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 9 I have been instructed that the students in our schools are not to be served with flesh foods or with food preparations that will cause disturbances of the stomach. Nothing that will serve to encourage a desire for stimulants should be placed on the tables. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 10 I appeal to young and old, and to middle-aged. Deny your appetite of those things that are doing you injury. Serve the Lord by sacrifice. Let the good work begin at Washington, and go forth from there to other places. I know whereof I am writing. If a temperance pledge, providing for the abstinence from flesh foods, tea and coffee, and some other foods that are known to be injurious, were circulated through or ranks, a great and good work would be accomplished. I ask you at this time, Will you not circulate such a pledge? The means saved by such sacrifice, if used for the furtherance of the cause of God, would be blessed to the salvation of many souls. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 11
I think the case for signing pledges is strongly made. Here are some observations.
(1) God views some areas in our lives with much more attention than we do, and is strongly calling us to make adjustments in certain areas—to commit to total abstinence.
(2) Some things that we consider personal and not too harmful, God is strongly opposed to. It suggests we should be just as opposed. That doesn't mean that we should become judgmental of everyone else's conduct, but it does mean we should respond seriously to God's admonishments through Mrs. White.
(3) Signing pledges is helpful! It helps us make a complete surrender in the area, is hopefully accompanied by our removing anything like it from our homes, and not bringing it home in the future—victory is won at the grocery store, not in our kitchens at home. Tche Biblealls this, not making provision for the flesh (Rom 13:14).
(4) Apparently, overcoming without tapering off is possible. My eyes were greatly opened in this regarding in reading of the work of Dr. Kress with morphine addicts in the early days of the church, who stated that anytime someone she was with was trying to taper off, they failed; but anytime they pledged to completely abstain, they succeeded.
(5) This overcoming is dependent on the power of God. We will be talking about this power and how God works at the sessions at Michigan Camp Meeting.
(6) Perhaps reintroducing pledges would be a blessing. We could start individually and in our homes.
Are there areas in your life that would be blessed by signing a pledge?