IS SMOKING A SIN WORTHY OF DISFELLOWSHIPMENT?

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WHICH OPTION BEST REFLECTS YOUR POSITION ON WHETHER SMOKING IS A SIN?

  • Smoking is a sin, and unrepentant smokers should be disfellowshipped

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Smoking is a sin, but unrepentant smokers should not be disfellowshipped

    Votes: 20 48.8%
  • Smoking is not a sin

    Votes: 21 51.2%

  • Total voters
    41
Feb 1, 2014
733
33
0
#1
When I became a Christian at age 22, I was a smoker. I smoked about 2.5 packs of cigarettes a day.

My mother was an Armstrongite (Worldwide Church of God), so I had exposure to the group. They were cultic, but I didn't understand core Christianity back then. So, I counseled with the pastor to attend services (WCG didn't allow strangers off the street to attend their services, probably so they wouldn't get rebuked for their heresies).

Anyways, I was told by the pastor that I needed to quit smoking in order to attend services. At that time, I was desperate for a relationship with God so I quit smoking cold turkey. It worked out well for me, so I thank God that I was delivered from the habit. However, I don't think that's the right approach to dealing with someone who is struggling with an issue, let alone a seeker who hasn't even initiated a relationship with God yet. It's like telling someone they need to clean their life up BEFORE they can come to God.

Well, Armstrongites were a bunch of kooks so I don't expect anything but kooky behavior from them.

However, I have learned that other groups also deal very strictly with tobacco use, including the Seventh Day Adventists. For instance, one fellow I know was placed in an inferior status due to his smoking habit (I can't remember the specifics but he was allowed to attend but was restricted). A SDA pastor told me that he delivers ultimatums to smokers and if they don't quit, they are disfellowshipped.

So, my question is this...1. Do you think smoking is a sin, and if so, on what grounds? 2. If it is a sin, how should it be dealt with? Should disfellowshipment be used as a punishment? 3. If so, do you think disfellowshipment should also be applied to obese individuals who are engaged in eating too much? 4. What about sins of the heart, like pride, envy, lust, etcetera? Should we disfellowship people over sins of the heart? And, if so, how many people would be in church?

Please note that I'm not revealing my position on whether smoking is a sin. I just want to watch the conversation.
 
Last edited:

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#2
I can't really say if it's an actual sin or not tbh, I mean it is true our bodies are his temple and you don't defile his temple with an impure substance but also according to that logic the fact we drink so much caffeine and eat fast food and such already crossed that line but either way disfellowship is just not logical even Jesus had fellowship with the sinners in his day did he not?
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
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#3
I place smoking under this category: All things are lawful for me but all things are not profitable for me.

Noah found about this when he drank some of his wine, didn't he?

It is not what you put into your body that defiles you. It is what comes out of your heart that defiles you.

Some may not agree with me, but I have at least based my understanding on what God has said.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#4
I place smoking under this category: All things are lawful for me but all things are not profitable for me.

Noah found about this when he drank some of his wine, didn't he?

It is not what you put into your body that defiles you. It is what comes out of your heart that defiles you.

Some may not agree with me, but I have at least based my understanding on what God has said.
Actually that makes perfect sense in my book:)
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#5
It is not those things that enter into a man that defiles a man....

All things unto Paul were lawful, but not all things were expedient....
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#6
No, I don't consider smoking a sin but it is unwise and unhealthy to do. I have smoked for years, quit once in 2015 for 3 months then snapped and took up the habit once again. I'm not a SDA but my wife is and I attend the services when I'm able too. I never heard the pastor mention smoking but I'm sure he would seriously advise against it as you are damaging your body which is suppose to be a temple for the Lord.

To answer your question I would have to say no. Why stop at smoking and end fellowship for anyone who sins? For sure, the pews in the church would be empty for we all fall short of the glory of God. I thank God that Jesus died for my sins and even if I should stumble is faithful to restore fellowship to me once I say that I'm sorry. Jesus is the great physician but if there is no one left in the church due to sin who is He going to treat and make whole once again?
 
P

pckts

Guest
#7
Smoking, drinking, and drug use is a sin because we turn to the world instead of God for relief from our problems and feelings of discomfort.

We all are born in different places in life as well as different bodies, with their own suffering and pain embedded into them. Some may have no desire to smoke because "life is great" and they can seek comfort elsewhere in God or worldly desires. Is someone born into tough circumstances that can't turn to friends, family, or worldly comforts judged harshly for lighting up a cigarette?

IDK, I hope not, but I've seen a clear mind is what God wants, and abusing substances clouds the mind at the very least.

A rich man and a smoker can both reject God in favor of something else to fill the void and carry that weight. Is the smoker judged more severely because he physically pollutes the temple? Perhaps, but you can clean the temple in 30 days or so.

Here are some scripture concerning this issue:

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled
and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Galatians 5:21
Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your
hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

1 Timothy 3:2
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Titus 2:2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Titus 2:6
Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

1 Timothy 3:2-3
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Timothy 3:11
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Isaiah 5:11
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after
strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Romans 13:13
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Titus 2:12
Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and
to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the
breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 8:9
But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 23:31
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

1 Timothy 3:3
Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Peter 4:3
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

Romans 14:21
It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Hosea 4:11
Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.

Proverbs 23:20-21
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard
and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
Ephesians 4:27
And give no opportunity to the devil.
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
113
#8
Smoking, drinking, and drug use is a sin because we turn to the world instead of God for relief from our problems and feelings of discomfort.

We all are born in different places in life as well as different bodies, with their own suffering and pain embedded into them. Some may have no desire to smoke because "life is great" and they can seek comfort elsewhere in God or worldly desires. Is someone born into tough circumstances that can't turn to friends, family, or worldly comforts judged harshly for lighting up a cigarette?

IDK, I hope not, but I've seen a clear mind is what God wants, and abusing substances clouds the mind at the very least.

A rich man and a smoker can both reject God in favor of something else to fill the void and carry that weight. Is the smoker judged more severely because he physically pollutes the temple? Perhaps, but you can clean the temple in 30 days or so.

Here are some scripture concerning this issue:

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled
and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Galatians 5:21
Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your
hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

1 Timothy 3:2
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Titus 2:2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Titus 2:6
Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

1 Timothy 3:2-3
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Timothy 3:11
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Isaiah 5:11
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after
strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Romans 13:13
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Titus 2:12
Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and
to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the
breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 8:9
But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 23:31
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

1 Timothy 3:3
Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Peter 4:3
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

Romans 14:21
It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Hosea 4:11
Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.

Proverbs 23:20-21
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard
and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
Ephesians 4:27
And give no opportunity to the devil.
Our body is a temple because God resides in it by His Spirit.
It is not what goes into our bodies that defiles us (the temple). It is what proceeds from a mans heart that defiles him (the temple).
So I do not agree that a man defiles himself by smoking a cigarette.
He is doing something that is not profitable.
One man could smoke a cigar and have a clean heart before God. Another man could never smoke a cigar and have a filthy heart before God. Because it is not what enters the body that defiles a man but what proceeds from his heart.

Come to think of it...wasn't the Temple a very smoky place...? :D
 
P

pckts

Guest
#9
Our body is a temple because God resides in it by His Spirit.
It is not what goes into our bodies that defiles us (the temple). It is what proceeds from a mans heart that defiles him (the temple).
So I do not agree that a man defiles himself by smoking a cigarette.
He is doing something that is not profitable.
One man could smoke a cigar and have a clean heart before God. Another man could never smoke a cigar and have a filthy heart before God. Because it is not what enters the body that defiles a man but what proceeds from his heart.

Come to think of it...wasn't the Temple a very smoky place...? :D
I thought the "proceeds from one's heart" was in reference to someone forcing you to smoke a cigarette as apposed to you choosing to develop a habit as a coping mechanism. I'd love to return to my habits, but cancer, a clouded mind, and physical addiction keep my from a full on relapse.
 

maverich

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2017
294
34
28
#10
actually if you read Leviticus with an open mind. the Jewish temple was a putrid, bloody smelly place. killin every day. guts and blood. and God resided there. In the Holy of Holies. that is the way our temple is dirty and smelly on the outside, clean and pure inside.
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
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#11
I have often wished that I could hear a man speak on the spirit of the words in the OT that run through - if a priest is carrying a piece of holy meat in his robe and brushes up against a dead body, is he defiled and so on and so on. I have known that the spirit of the words is for us but I've never quite understood how...
 

Seekingfamily

Senior Member
Jun 20, 2017
395
13
0
#12
This has been a struggle I have tried to understand since I was a wee child, still trying to figure it out.

I was 8 years old, when I was forced to smoke by my parent. "Here, light this up!"...me "But I don't want to!"..them, scornful "You will light this up!"..me, so sad and confused "Okay!" I was horribly treated, seemed like no family cared for my well being, no friends, no nothing, not even church...and life seemed to get even worse, until at 14, I started getting my own packs. I stressed, and I lit up. Some times I get so sad, because I was able to walk away from many things, "Why was this so hard?" "Do I have a reprobate mind?" I don't think the church should abandon me too though, but help me overcome!
 

maverich

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2017
294
34
28
#13
i would believe he would be defiled, i don't think he would be carrying something Holy around something dead.
 
P

pckts

Guest
#14
This has been a struggle I have tried to understand since I was a wee child, still trying to figure it out.

I was 8 years old, when I was forced to smoke by my parent. "Here, light this up!"...me "But I don't want to!"..them, scornful "You will light this up!"..me, so sad and confused "Okay!" I was horribly treated, seemed like no family cared for my well being, no friends, no nothing, not even church...and life seemed to get even worse, until at 14, I started getting my own packs. I stressed, and I lit up. Some times I get so sad, because I was able to walk away from many things, "Why was this so hard?" "Do I have a reprobate mind?" I don't think the church should abandon me too though, but help me overcome!
Your parents wanted you to lower you to their level, which at the age of 8 is disgusting and reveals their wickedness.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#15
This has been a struggle I have tried to understand since I was a wee child, still trying to figure it out.

I was 8 years old, when I was forced to smoke by my parent. "Here, light this up!"...me "But I don't want to!"..them, scornful "You will light this up!"..me, so sad and confused "Okay!" I was horribly treated, seemed like no family cared for my well being, no friends, no nothing, not even church...and life seemed to get even worse, until at 14, I started getting my own packs. I stressed, and I lit up. Some times I get so sad, because I was able to walk away from many things, "Why was this so hard?" "Do I have a reprobate mind?" I don't think the church should abandon me too though, but help me overcome!
It is so sad to hear of the abusive behavior towards you by your parents. I don't think that you have a reprobate mind, but like myself, are an addict that was hooked in youth. I will pray for both of us for God to deliver us from this destructive habit. Thank you for sharing your story. Perhaps it will help someone to avoid walking down the same path.
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
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#16
I thought the "proceeds from one's heart" was in reference to someone forcing you to smoke a cigarette as apposed to you choosing to develop a habit as a coping mechanism. I'd love to return to my habits, but cancer, a clouded mind, and physical addiction keep my from a full on relapse.
I forgot to say that it's nice to meet you pckts! :)

Jesus taught extensively on this topic. Remember where He said you have heard it said that you must not murder but I say to you, if you are angry at your brother, you have ALREADY murdered him?

He said anger in your heart toward your brother is murder. This means that even if it doesn't turn into shooting him or bludgeoning him, the murder has already occurred. Do you believe Him?
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#17
Smoking does not send you to hell...it only makes you smell like you've been there.

Some really great old preachers smoked. Spurgeon comes to mind but many in his era smoked pipes and cigars.

Did-fellowship is extreme but I certainly prefer not to get too close to smokers. As an ex-smoker I am very sensitive to the odor of stale tobacco. I will gladly endure the odor to have an opportunity to testify of the saving grace of God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
N

NoNameMcgee

Guest
#18
if God didnt convict me to quit smoking.... this thread might just convince me to start back up
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
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#19
i would believe he would be defiled, i don't think he would be carrying something Holy around something dead.
The verses go into great detail about if his sleeve brushes up against a dead body, is he defiled? If this or that happens, is he defiled? It goes into great detail. And I want to understand the spirit of the words for me today, but I can't quite get it.