Is Smokig a Sin

[watty]

If it is a sin to you, don't smoke. People want to control and judge people based on their own beliefs, don't do that. I can ask a million questions like this one. Is it a sin to eat too much or too little? Is it a sin to not comb your hair? Is it a sin to pass gas? Is it a sin to go to church and pray with your head uncovered (women)? Worry about yourself and your temple and that will be good. Jesus commands we do good. Breaking the laws of your community is a sin. Don't smoke inside of a building or within 20 feet of a business entry and exit way in California. Yet, you can go into a small businesses and see the owners smoking inside anyway (liquor stores).

 

[KohenMatt]

Should people smoke?

I watched my Mom smoke most of her adult life.
I am currently watching my Mom die a slow and very painful death @ 60 years old because of it.

'Nuff said.

 

[notuptome]

Should people smoke?

I watched my Mom smoke most of her adult life.
I am currently watching my Mom die a slow and very painful death @ 60 years old because of it.

'Nuff said.

Condolences. Been there done that too many times.

Whatsoever a man shall sow of that shall he reap.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[gzusfrk]

Now those that belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24. With that being said its not what goes into a man that makes him unclean but what comes out from him that makes him unclean. As an x-smoker the Word told me to quit so I did, its not easy. Its just another desire of the flesh. Pick up your cross daily and follow Him.

 

[JesusIsAll]

Should people smoke?

I watched my Mom smoke most of her adult life.
I am currently watching my Mom die a slow and very painful death @ 60 years old because of it.

'Nuff said.

Yes, remove the sin controversy and how many angels fit on the head of a pin, smoking is something nobody should do. Also sorry for this time of her suffering and your suffering. Our Lord keep you.

 

[watty]

KohenMatt, I am sorry to hear about your mother and will keep her in my prayers. Sometimes it is more to it than just smoking although smoking doesn't help for sure. The lady next door to me died of lung cancer and never smoked in her life. She lived alone and had a big back yard she could not maintain. Instead of paying a gardener to cut the weeds in her backyard she weekly sprayed Roundup weed killer, which when the wind blew, blew the fumes right into her house and she wore no protection when spraying. My mother had got cirrhosis of the liver in her 70's and she never drank alcohol, she did get hepatitis C while giving birth to my youngest brother and that turns into cirrhosis of the liver. Only God has all of the answers.

 

[KohenMatt]

Now those that belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24. With that being said its not what goes into a man that makes him unclean but what comes out from him that makes him unclean. As an x-smoker the Word told me to quit so I did, its not easy. Its just another desire of the flesh. Pick up your cross daily and follow Him.

This brings up an interesting point.

If uncleanliness comes from inside, meaning our heart, mind and spirit, WHY are people smoking? To honor God? Or out of rebellion, to fit in, a coping mechanism, etc?

 

[crossnote]

No you may not be able to choose where you live, you have a responsibility to provide for your family. And that is certainly an excuse then to smoke, overeat and get absolutely no exercise. After all, God does not expect you to do the best you can with what you have, He expects you to cough and wheeze, be overweight, develop diabetes and die prematurely. You are simply evading the issue with an argument that is at best foolish.

So I take it then christians are to move out of the big smoggy cities on horseback.

 

[gzusfrk]

This brings up an interesting point.

If uncleanliness comes from inside, meaning our heart, mind and spirit, WHY are people smoking? To honor God? Or out of rebellion, to fit in, a coping mechanism, etc?

each person probably has their own story as to why, but the bottom line is, were sinners, trying to overcome thru Jesus.

 

[john832]

So, one is force to live in L.A.? Where the money is, or a bad choice of homes, overrides in this case, what, hooked on L.A. and sucking in smog, but woe be the one who smokes a cigarette or eats a jelly doughnut? Somebody's forbidding you to move, or is staying just easier, something one can smugly, or is that smogly, accept, while condemning the smoker who stays put?

Sometimes people cannot make drastic changes. We make some decisions that we cannot just jump out of. If one buys a home and has a job in a smoggy city, should they quit their job and just abandon their home? No, but wouldn't it be better to make some plans to change jobs and sell the home if possible?

On the other hand, are people locked into smoking, poor diet and a sedentary life? That is something anyone can change.

The idea that we cannot do better is a fatalistic outlook. It denies the opportunities one has to improve their lives.

Or you can just smoke two packs a day, eat a diet high in saturated fats and low in fiber, refuse to eat vegetables and fruits and just sit on the couch until you contract cancer, diabetes or have a heart attack.

 

[john832]

So I take it then christians are to move out of the big smoggy cities on horseback.

No, Christians are dealt a bad hand by fate and cannot change anything. They are stuck with whatever happens to them, they are all victims.

At least that is what it sounds like.

 

[JesusIsAll]

If uncleanliness comes from inside, meaning our heart, mind and spirit, WHY are people smoking? To honor God? Or out of rebellion, to fit in, a coping mechanism, etc?

Can't speak for others, but no rebellion against God, ever. Rather, a coping mechanism that soothed nerves, as well as plain old getting drawn into something regrettable, but very addicting to break free of, the spirit willing, but the flesh weak.

 

[john832]

Can't speak for others, but no rebellion against God, ever. Rather, a coping mechanism that soothed nerves, as well as plain old getting drawn into something regrettable, but very addicting to break free of, the spirit willing, but the flesh weak.

Yep, I smoked for about five years (Camels, Luckies and PallMalls) so I know it is an addiction that is difficult to break, but it is so destructive.

 

[Nautilus]

I posted something similar regarding body art and piercings. This is how I see it... and I hold myself to this thought as well:
If you were sitting across from Jesus would you rather be drinking a cup of coffee or smoking a cigarette?

How about both? they go together so well.

 

[JesusLives]

Just had a thought as I was reading through some of the posts. Could smoking be or become an idol? Is it more important for you to have that cigarette or to spend time with God. If God asked you to put down the cigarette and never pick it up again could or would you? If you pick it up again then is it an idol? There is a commandment against idols and therefore it would then be a sin....just a thought I had.

Now moving on to my sin of gluttony....again against the temple of God....I was telling my smoking friend that I thought my problem was worse than his in that you don't need cigarettes to survive so you could just go cold turkey and quite.

But my problem is there is no cold turkey solution if I stop and walk away from food eventually I will die. So while a cigarette can be done away with I have to make wise food choices every day and even too much of a good thing can then become a bad thing. I feel my struggle is just a tad more difficult than yours.

However, for both of us we have the same solution that will work every time all the time. I came to God and said here I am I have tried diets and I have failed over and over again, God I can't do this I need Your help so I am giving myself and this eating problem to you please help me fix it as I don't want to sin against You or myself anymore. This has been since end of May and happy to report that God has helped me loose 20 pounds and even though I have a long way to go knowing He is by my side helping me gives me the strength and courage to face the frig everyday knowing He will help me again today to make better choice. It is one day at a time. God will do the same for you just pray and give it to Him.

 

[crossnote]

Should a non smoking Christian avoid large smoggy cities in order to maintain his/her health even if it meant ministering to the poor and lost in the inner city?

 

[dcontroversal]

All things are lawful although not all things are expedient...IT IS NOT THOSE THINGS that enter into a man that defiles a man, but rather those things which proceed forth from a man..it is those things which defile a man.....

SO.....your choice, but lest we forget...smoking does cause cancer and is harmful to those who do not smoke.....just a thought or two....!

 

[JesusLives]

Should a non smoking Christian avoid large smoggy cities in order to maintain his/her health even if it meant ministering to the poor and lost in the inner city?

A Christian should go wherever God leads him even if it is to death.

 

[crossnote]

In conclusion, smoking is unhealthy, but not a sin...it doesn't touch our spirit but only quickens our going 'home'.

 

[JesusIsAll]

Should a non smoking Christian avoid large smoggy cities in order to maintain his/her health even if it meant ministering to the poor and lost in the inner city?

Of course not. The Lord is dealing with all of us as individuals, His mission the spiritual kingdom of God, His primary concerns not the temporal and corruptible things of man, but to what extent we are Christ like, which means having an unselfish love.