drunkeness and cigarette smoking

[kelch]

why do most christians still smoke and drink alcohol. Some argue that Paul advised Timothy to take alittle for the stomach sake, { which was clearly a case of sickness}, some argue that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereoff, some still argue that it goes thru the mouth to the stomach and does not defile you and so on it goes. But for me, i belief that as a "blood washed", "tongue speaking", "spirit filled" believer, drunkennes and cigarrette smoking should be very far from ur activities. Letz talk about this please that the perfect beauty of God be seen in us all........One Love

 

[respekt]

As the bible said on 1 Cor 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
I believe smoking is very bad for health and I don't want to fill my lungs with bad stuff because my body is God's temple and the other thing it wastes money hehe. And about drinking alcohol, I drink alcohol in special occasion. That doesn't mean I get drunk though I never got drunk. 1 shot for 1 special occasion and 1 special occasion only happens 3 times in a year at the most

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

I'm not certain that most do. Few of the Christians I know do. It's partly cultural, of course. In my understanding, Christians in Europe smoke and drink more than they do in the U.S. and Christians in the Middle East smoke and drink less than Christians in the U.S..

But I certainly agree with you that one of the benefits of being a Christian is being able to access God and His assistance in overcoming drug and alcohol behaviors and addictions. That is something He wants us to do and tells us to do in the Bible (to purify ourselves even as He is pure, for example).

I accessed God's assistance and accomplished exactly that many years ago and it's definitely one of the best things I have ever done for my own life.

 

[DannyC]

Since you are going to get alot of people encouraging you to avoid these unholy vices, I will stand in for their defence. Smoking seriously harms your health and objectively it is obviously not wise to start. In saying that I smoke and if I had the choice to go back and never start, I would probably smoke again, I find it can give you a sense of calm, and on a night with friends it can inhance the moment, make the night feel longer. The nights I drank and smoked with friends and the fact I am lucky enough to be able to control my intake are nights I really enjoyed.This goes for alcohol too, it make make people less boring and personally I find it a good way to relax and enjoy myself. Alcohol needs respect though, abusing it can lead to less than enjoyable experiences. I can't morally object to abusing substances but I feel it is wasteful to do so, in saying that Drinking and smoking are enjoyable. On a side note I also feel putting substances into your body in general should be a personal choice, not a state decision on your behalf.

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

I continued to smoke for a few months after starting to follow Christ and drank on occasion (not regularly) for some years after. I didn't stop being saved or following Christ during the time I was doing both of these things.

One can be a Christian and smoke just like one can be a Christian and imbibe in moderation. Alcoholism and drug addiction are serious problems though and people who are either find they have to remain totally sober from the point of recovery on simply to have a normal life.

Myself, I love the total freedom not smoking or drinking has brought me and I wouldn't trade sobriety for all of the money in the world. That's saying something!

 

[prodigal]

[h=1]Matthew 15:11[/h]Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

anything that ill affects our health may hinder our work for the lord. alcohol can be good or bad depending on the individual. I hardly drink but thats my choice. but why stop there. How about those over weight, obesity is a major cause of health problems, should we point the finger at them. Or those that do sports that could be deemed dangerous. Many mountaineers are killed each year, or theres motorsports. Boxing. In fact some might consider crossing the road dangerous. How about stress one of the biggest killers. I think as christians we should avoid pointing finger at fashionable sins (if we can even call them sins). By all means we could lead by example, but as for me i think i'll concentrate on what comes out of me as the bible says, and i'll be very careful about causing stumbling blocks for others. God will convict where he deems necessary and if others ask why i do or dont do certain things i'll tell them my individual reasons and where god has led me, but i will never make sweeping judgements about anything that is outside my remit, that is. the instructions god clearly set out in his word .

 

[DragonSlayer]

Drunkenness and cigarette smoking kill:

New York Mom Kills Self and 7 Others in Wrong-Way Drunk Driving Crash

2.5 Million Alcohol-Related Deaths Worldwide- Annually

Passive smoking kills 600,000 a year, including 165,000 children, says WHO | Society | The Guardian

Tobacco - American Lung Association

WHO | Tobacco

It's written : " Thou shalt not kill. "

Exodus 20:13 ( KJV )

 

[ThriftShopPop]

I smoke cigarettes. Drink socially. People eat nothing but twinkies...or fast food every single day...what is the difference?

 

[Angela53510]

I am very allergic to second hand tobacco smoke and have never smoked. I wish it was illegal and no one smoked, because the world would be a safer place for me. I have spent many a night in the ER getting treatment because someone walked by me on a street smoking. I have to wear a carbon filter mask if anyone is smoking, provided I can get it on fast enough to keep me out of the ER. Asthma is a horrid disease, but esp, when it could easily be prevented if everyone stopped smoking.

Tobacco smoke has 5000 chemicals including 56 known carcinogens. Causes cancer in literally every part of the body. Why would anyone waste money on such poison? Beyond me!

I did drink before I was saved. Heavily. God delivered me from it the hour I was saved. Never wanted or needed another drink. 33 years and counting.

I think that not drinking means allowing the Holy Spirit to control you, rather than false "spirits". There is a reason they call it that! Besides, I have more fun and enjoyment with my Christian friends, talking about the Bible than I ever did drinking.

I'm not going to criticize social drinkers, but it seems to me we should depend upon God to give us peace and joy, not artificial highs like alcohol and drugs. Ok, I was critical. Sorry!

 

[AngelCakes]

i don't smoke
but i have been known to have a drink socially
not too often tho
i think it only becomes a problem when you are dependent on it, whether it be smoking or drinking
its hard to smoke tobacco tho and not be dependent on it

 

[Stephen63]

Matthew 15:11

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

anything that ill affects our health may hinder our work for the lord. alcohol can be good or bad depending on the individual. I hardly drink but thats my choice. but why stop there. How about those over weight, obesity is a major cause of health problems, should we point the finger at them. Or those that do sports that could be deemed dangerous. Many mountaineers are killed each year, or theres motorsports. Boxing. In fact some might consider crossing the road dangerous. How about stress one of the biggest killers. I think as christians we should avoid pointing finger at fashionable sins (if we can even call them sins). By all means we could lead by example, but as for me i think i'll concentrate on what comes out of me as the bible says, and i'll be very careful about causing stumbling blocks for others. God will convict where he deems necessary and if others ask why i do or dont do certain things i'll tell them my individual reasons and where god has led me, but i will never make sweeping judgements about anything that is outside my remit, that is. the instructions god clearly set out in his word .

Get a person tipsy or high and see what comes out of their mouths............ That scripture does not cover drinking like you think it does. Jesus was talking about the the things Jews were not supposed to eat according to the law.


I once cleaned a floor with paint thinner and accidentally got high. That definitely determined what came out of my mouth that day,lol!

 

[Nautilus]

I am very allergic to second hand tobacco smoke and have never smoked. I wish it was illegal and no one smoked, because the world would be a safer place for me. I have spent many a night in the ER getting treatment because someone walked by me on a street smoking. I have to wear a carbon filter mask if anyone is smoking, provided I can get it on fast enough to keep me out of the ER. Asthma is a horrid disease, but esp, when it could easily be prevented if everyone stopped smoking.

Tobacco smoke has 5000 chemicals including 56 known carcinogens. Causes cancer in literally every part of the body. Why would anyone waste money on such poison? Beyond me!

I did drink before I was saved. Heavily. God delivered me from it the hour I was saved. Never wanted or needed another drink. 33 years and counting.

I think that not drinking means allowing the Holy Spirit to control you, rather than false "spirits". There is a reason they call it that! Besides, I have more fun and enjoyment with my Christian friends, talking about the Bible than I ever did drinking.

I'm not going to criticize social drinkers, but it seems to me we should depend upon God to give us peace and joy, not artificial highs like alcohol and drugs. Ok, I was critical. Sorry!

So ban somthing because youre allergic? you realize how bad life would be if we banned everything people were allergic too?

 

[Angela53510]

So ban somthing because youre allergic? you realize how bad life would be if we banned everything people were allergic too?

Actually 10% of the population has diagnosed asthma, but higher with children. Tobacco is a BIG trigger for people with asthma. As I pointed out earlier, it is also a dangerous drug, with 56 carcinogens - that means chemicals that cause cancer like Benzene and other poisons.

So yes, ban cigarettes for me and the one in 10 people who have asthma, and for the poor people who are being poisoned by second hand smoke (there have been class action suits concerning second hand smoke and cancer!) and then to protect the people who are actually smoking, and not smart enough to realize they are poisoning themselves and everyone around them.

I guess that pretty much covers everyone! I was merely indulging in wishful thinking in my post, but when you put it that way, you are right! We shouldn't just ban cigarettes on my behalf, but on behalf of everyone!

Here is a link to a usually reliable source - the Canadian government, and I guess they have upped the carcinogens to MORE THAN 70! Pardon my old information!

Carcinogens in Tobacco Smoke [Health Canada, 2011]

 

[DragonSlayer]

So ban somthing because youre allergic? you realize how bad life would be if we banned everything people were allergic too?

Cigarette smoking kill so yes it must be banned; for the benefit of both the active smoker and the passive smoker !
If cigarette can kill ANYONE, then it must be banned, simple.
And cigarette is no food and is a benefit for no one !
How could you compare such totally different things ?
Besides, if someone is allergic to peanut for instance,
that person could just avoid products who contain peanut !

But how could you avoid cigarette smoke in the streets or in any public place, huh ?

LET'S BAN CIGARETTE !

 

[Adinah]

Cigarette smoking kill so yes it must be banned; for the benefit of both the active smoker and the passive smoker !
If cigarette can kill ANYONE, then it must be banned, simple.
And cigarette is no food and is a benefit for no one !
How could you compare such totally different things ?
Besides, if someone is allergic to peanut for instance,
that person could just avoid products who contain peanut !

But how could you avoid cigarette smoke in the streets or in any public place, huh ?

LET'S BAN CIGARETTE !

Very good point, Dragonslayer, but good luck banning cigarette smoking. lol. It's so funny that so many things are banned in the country but cigarettes and drinking, which are both proven to destroy your health are perfectly legal. But it's going to remain that way.

 

[Adinah]

I smoke cigarettes. Drink socially. People eat nothing but twinkies...or fast food every single day...what is the difference?

There's not much difference. All those things will kill you. lol.

 

[Adinah]

i don't smoke
but i have been known to have a drink socially
not too often tho
i think it only becomes a problem when you are dependent on it, whether it be smoking or drinking
its hard to smoke tobacco tho and not be dependent on it

Well, it will kill you. Our lungs weren't made to inhale smoke on a regular basis. My aunt died of lung cancer, and frankly, she never even smoked that much. But it caught up with her.

 

[Nautilus]

My opinion...Im going to die sometime anyways...If I enjoy the occasional drink or cigarette who cares? Its not causing anything that isnt inevitable anyways.

 

[Angela53510]

There are many ways to die. But to die early, a painful, breath wrenching death because you have smoked is a sin against God.

My father was present in one of his advanced courses at the autopsies of a smoker and a non-smoker. The non-smoker had bright pink healthy tissue. The smoker had black, withered tissues which reminded my father of a lump of coal.

Then there is living on oxygen, gasping for breath. Losing the ability to walk or care for yourself because your lungs cannot absorb O2 because the tar and poisons of cigarette smoke coat the lungs.

Sure, keep smoking and drinking. But don't say you were not warned. It is NOT inevitable to die of lung cancer. It was almost unknown a hundred years ago, before smoking was pushed on soldiers in the wars to keep them "calm". Till it was advertised on TV as a "calming" agent, and endorsed by doctors who were paid large sums of money.

We won't even get into emphysema or all the other diseases that smoking causes, both to non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke, and smokers.

Smoking needs to be banned for sure. The only known poison that is allowed to be sold to people that will kill them well before the years God has allotted them.

 

[Cino]

There are a lot of grey areas in the Bible, where it does not specifically say things, like thou shalt not smoke. It does say that you can have a bit of wine for your stomach, and drinking is not a sin, but getting drunk is. However, ANYTHING that would keep you from serving God or coming between you and God should not be allowed in a Christians life. I guess the best rule of thumb to follow for all those grey matters that are not clearly stated in the Bible would be that the Bible states "keep yourself unspotted from the world", and "love not the word, nor the things in the world". Cigarettes is certainly a part of the world, and it is the Christian's life that should separate us from the world. We are to be a light to others, so if you are conformed to the world and do what the world does, where is your light? They see no difference in you.