Well, I just flicked my Bic and then I read this. I agree that this is a struggle that may be best overcome by living one day at a time with the help of God. I don't have to quit for the rest of my life, I should just quit for today. I will choose not to smoke for the next 60 minutes to see if I even am strong enough to do this. I put out my smoke just now too. One hour at a time until the hours equal a day. It may be an equation that I can live with. Some things in life are not worth dying for.
Is Smokig a Sin
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H
To Tourist, I am praying for you, NOW.God bless in this hour. I know the danger of smoking , as we all do,know the deadly lung cancer, It just took my sister at 74 yrs old, It was so sad, as she suffered a lot, (crying,now, for you all, that are caught up with smoking. God Bless you all ,one moment at a time. So sorry! Love Hoffco
J
Something that can help, especially in winter, is forget the cigarette, and just take some deep breaths of cool, fresh air that hits your lungs, compare that to the alternative of taking in brown slime, cigarette air, that leaves deposits of many harmful chemicals in your lungs, some radioactive, crud that impairs getting the oxygen of clean air, that makes your lungs resist with mucus, to expel that brown sewage buildup. Then ask yourself if you really like that slimy taste in your mouth, yellowing your teeth, or to smell that stale stench in your clothing, or all over your home, if you actually like doing something that's slowly poisoning and killing you, that makes you feel like a doomed slave to some tobacco company. Think of yourself in a hospital, with an iron lung assisting you. The urges can become less compelling.
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T
You bring up a very good point here. Some Christians need to relax about smokers in the body of Christ. When I was Pastor at a church I taught our non smoking members not to worry about the new members that smoked.
I had a board member take me to task about it in ab board meeting one night. Oh her self righteousness could have peeled the paint or paved the way for the day of the Lord, who knows. She just ranted and raved how smokers were a bad influence to Christians how smokers were of the world, were sinners, and on and on.
She then stopped, took a breath and asked me.
"OK Pastor why should we not worry about them smoking!?!?"
Because it might be the least of their current problems as a babe in Christ, I replied.
Besides, the power of the Holy Ghost can cause a person to quit smoking overnight.....he did it with me that way.
I had a board member take me to task about it in ab board meeting one night. Oh her self righteousness could have peeled the paint or paved the way for the day of the Lord, who knows. She just ranted and raved how smokers were a bad influence to Christians how smokers were of the world, were sinners, and on and on.
She then stopped, took a breath and asked me.
"OK Pastor why should we not worry about them smoking!?!?"
Because it might be the least of their current problems as a babe in Christ, I replied.
Besides, the power of the Holy Ghost can cause a person to quit smoking overnight.....he did it with me that way.
Does it offend your brother? Many things may not be intrinsically sinful in and of themselves, but if God has convicted you that He wants YOU to stop and you rebel against Him, or if it provokes your brother(1 Corinthians 8:13), then those things are your sins. C.S. Lewis both smoked and drank. In his circle of Christian friends, it was not considered to be either obnoxious or impolite. It appears that Jesus and His mother drank together at Cana. For me, it would be different. I don't even have the desire. It would grieve my family. My Bishop would flip. I would puke.
The best definition for sin that I have heard is; "an attitude of rebellion against God". Sinful acts are those things that either stem from, or lead to, rebellion against God. If some of you think I'm just blowing smoke right now, you might be right. Take it for what you think it's worth. Godspeed.
The best definition for sin that I have heard is; "an attitude of rebellion against God". Sinful acts are those things that either stem from, or lead to, rebellion against God. If some of you think I'm just blowing smoke right now, you might be right. Take it for what you think it's worth. Godspeed.
B
Surely a bad christian who is the epitome of health and fitness isn't better in the eyes of god, or fellow christians for that matter, than a good, pious, sincere and genuine christian who smokes 20 a day, or 60, or 1 even? I would assume, boldly perhaps, that the second christian in this example of reasoning is better off in the eyes of his god. If the bad christian took every step possible to live a healthy life and thus was more deserving of a place in heaven, in spite of the fact he was a bad christian, it would create some very provocative questions regarding such matters as posted here by the original poster. And where would the line be drawn if the opposite were the case - would one cigarette be okay but not two, three but not four, would frequency be an issue, etc? I think the emphasis needs to come back to the person here, their intentions towards god and the level of his or her faith, on a personal-reflection level, as judged by god and only god.
Smoking is damaging to God's Temple (the body). Is that a bad thing? Yes, the Scriptures say,
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Smoking defiles the body and damages it to the point of an early death; And seeing God is the giver and taker of life, it would be God taking your life early for your poor choice in damaging God's Temple.
Is it a sin? Well is it good that you destroy the Temple of God? Yes or no? If it is bad, then it is sin. Does that mean you are not saved if you smoke? No. How so?
Well, it is not a sin that leads unto death. For John speaks about how there are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-18). Sins that would lead unto death are those sins that lead unto the second death, or those sins listed in Revelation 21:8 by John; Those sins that do not lead unto death are falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), hidden or secret faults (Psalm 19:12), and sins that are confessed (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) and forsaken (John 8:10-11); Which is repentance. Also, sins that lead unto death are listed by Paul, as well (See Romans 1, Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, Colossians 3, and Ephesians 5); Smoking is not a sin that is listed as causing spiritual death and or not inheriting the Kingdom of God.
But I would encourage and caution the believer to stop smoking, though. It is good not to destroy God's Temple and to glorify Him in all things.
Oh, and if you think I am being legalistic with the Scriptures, then you need to read 1 Corinthians 14:37. Paul says that what he has written to us are the Lord's commands (Commandments).
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Smoking defiles the body and damages it to the point of an early death; And seeing God is the giver and taker of life, it would be God taking your life early for your poor choice in damaging God's Temple.
Is it a sin? Well is it good that you destroy the Temple of God? Yes or no? If it is bad, then it is sin. Does that mean you are not saved if you smoke? No. How so?
Well, it is not a sin that leads unto death. For John speaks about how there are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-18). Sins that would lead unto death are those sins that lead unto the second death, or those sins listed in Revelation 21:8 by John; Those sins that do not lead unto death are falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), hidden or secret faults (Psalm 19:12), and sins that are confessed (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) and forsaken (John 8:10-11); Which is repentance. Also, sins that lead unto death are listed by Paul, as well (See Romans 1, Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, Colossians 3, and Ephesians 5); Smoking is not a sin that is listed as causing spiritual death and or not inheriting the Kingdom of God.
But I would encourage and caution the believer to stop smoking, though. It is good not to destroy God's Temple and to glorify Him in all things.
Oh, and if you think I am being legalistic with the Scriptures, then you need to read 1 Corinthians 14:37. Paul says that what he has written to us are the Lord's commands (Commandments).
K
Well I would say is smoking going to send you to hell and the answer is no in my opinion. Will it hurt your witness? the answer is yes. will it cause health problems ? yes. Think a person that is drinking doing drugs and gets saved but still drags a cigarette, their faith is in the cross. Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but rather what comes out.
1. Man reaps what he sows. What have people reaped from smoking? Lung disease. Cancer. Emphysema. Even divorce. Now, if that's what they reap, isn't that judgement? How then are we to classify it any other way? Any negative judgement given in scripture has been due to sin, plain & simple.
2. The world says it's bad for you. What does it mean when even the world takes a stand against it? IMO, it would mean some christians' standards need to be raised a couple hundred feet when the world's morality in these last days is higher than our holiness.
3. It's expensive..... I've been surrounded by poor people all my life that would buy cigarettes by trading food stamps for money, taking food out of their children's mouths. Men, don't cry about your wife's shoe collection when you're spending over $120 a month buying smokes with nothing to show for it. Ladies, don't cry about your husband's fishing expenses when you're spending money all year on cigarettes.
4. Nicotine is a proven, habit forming drug. I don't care if it is legal..... man's laws to legalize it don't make it right.
5. It's been proven that cigarettes have several toxic chemicals in them.... they're poison.
6. They're nasty. So nasty people can't smoke them in many businesses anymore due to the world's laws. I'm glad at least the world thinks it's bad.
So, if you're one of those that don't believe it's a bad thing to do, go ask a good, moral sinner & get your answer. Or just keep doing what's right in your own eyes & see what comes of it.
2. The world says it's bad for you. What does it mean when even the world takes a stand against it? IMO, it would mean some christians' standards need to be raised a couple hundred feet when the world's morality in these last days is higher than our holiness.
3. It's expensive..... I've been surrounded by poor people all my life that would buy cigarettes by trading food stamps for money, taking food out of their children's mouths. Men, don't cry about your wife's shoe collection when you're spending over $120 a month buying smokes with nothing to show for it. Ladies, don't cry about your husband's fishing expenses when you're spending money all year on cigarettes.
4. Nicotine is a proven, habit forming drug. I don't care if it is legal..... man's laws to legalize it don't make it right.
5. It's been proven that cigarettes have several toxic chemicals in them.... they're poison.
6. They're nasty. So nasty people can't smoke them in many businesses anymore due to the world's laws. I'm glad at least the world thinks it's bad.
So, if you're one of those that don't believe it's a bad thing to do, go ask a good, moral sinner & get your answer. Or just keep doing what's right in your own eyes & see what comes of it.
K
I'm not saying it's a good thing to do. But, looking at it from a salvation point of view. Will God accept a person that smokes yet believes in the work of the cross? the answer is yes. Now if that person seeks God, the Holy Spirit will remove the need for the smoke and set them free. Just like He does for a drunk or drug addict. There is freedom in the cross.
K
Habits are just the same as sin and the cross sets you free from sin. Yet there are sins that we retain even though we have been saved. Sins such as anger, or greed, or smoking. I meant when you catch a fish you have to clean it before you can eat it. So to be good fruit we must be cleaned by the Holy Spirit which takes time. Remember that it is not by might nor by power but by My Spirit saith the Lord.
K
How therefore can we judge. We do not know the persons heart. Yes smoking is a bad thing, but shall we kick them out of church for smoking? shall we kick them out for having a quick temper? or Maybe we should kick them out because they got divorced? Maybe we should kick them out because they wear panty hose. This was real in the fifties and sixties. Maybe we should kick them out because they don't dress like us. They don't talk like us, they don'y look like us. Maybe we should kill them and be shed of them just like ISIS.
Or should we be like God, that say's I'll take you just as you are and I will clean and fix you as long as your faith is in the work of My Son.
Or should we be like God, that say's I'll take you just as you are and I will clean and fix you as long as your faith is in the work of My Son.
If smoking is not a sin, it should be!
Everyone here is talking about how smoking affects the smoker, they forget it affects those around them!! People die from lung cancer because they lived with a smoker, and breathed poison for many years.
Then there is asthma! I cannot tell you the number of times my right to breath was over ridden by someone lighting up on a street corner, and put me in the ER. That is just cruel and selfish.
Asthma rates in North America are over 10%. Most are affected by second hand smoke. So if you are in a room with 10 people, and one person lights up, chances are someone will have an asthma attack.
As for chemicals in tobacco - 5000 known chemicals and 54 carcinogens. There is no way this addictive drug should be legal, and no Christian should smoke. It simply does not honour God. My husband quit the day he became a Christian, cold turkey, no questions asked.
I am a never smoker, just suffered because of people who don't realize how their addiction literally threatens my life!
Off my soap box!
Everyone here is talking about how smoking affects the smoker, they forget it affects those around them!! People die from lung cancer because they lived with a smoker, and breathed poison for many years.
Then there is asthma! I cannot tell you the number of times my right to breath was over ridden by someone lighting up on a street corner, and put me in the ER. That is just cruel and selfish.
Asthma rates in North America are over 10%. Most are affected by second hand smoke. So if you are in a room with 10 people, and one person lights up, chances are someone will have an asthma attack.
As for chemicals in tobacco - 5000 known chemicals and 54 carcinogens. There is no way this addictive drug should be legal, and no Christian should smoke. It simply does not honour God. My husband quit the day he became a Christian, cold turkey, no questions asked.
I am a never smoker, just suffered because of people who don't realize how their addiction literally threatens my life!
Off my soap box!
K
That scripture from 1st John is taken out of context.
The scripture is speaking of those who have petitioned in prayer for forgiveness of their sins and are still doing them because of habit. Some sins are harder to stop right away then others, it takes time for some to completely stop what they are doing.
( Repent/turn away from that sin. )
Nowhere does it say in the bible if you do this list of sins you will die for them, but if you do this list of sins you will.
The only sins that you do not die from ( second death ) is repented forgiven sins.
Our Lord Jesus makes this clear in Luke when He we makes a point that a small sin or large sin by how we look at them all lead to death unless you repent of them.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
The scripture is speaking of those who have petitioned in prayer for forgiveness of their sins and are still doing them because of habit. Some sins are harder to stop right away then others, it takes time for some to completely stop what they are doing.
( Repent/turn away from that sin. )
Nowhere does it say in the bible if you do this list of sins you will die for them, but if you do this list of sins you will.
The only sins that you do not die from ( second death ) is repented forgiven sins.
Our Lord Jesus makes this clear in Luke when He we makes a point that a small sin or large sin by how we look at them all lead to death unless you repent of them.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.