IS SMOKING A SIN WORTHY OF DISFELLOWSHIPMENT?

[Depleted]

i used to put my butts back in my pack

i used my fingers to put out my cigarettes

Dad used to bust on me, because "you smell like an ash tray." (BTW, I'm talking five years ago, not when I was young. lol)

Well, yeah, I do. But that's because I forget when I need a new baggie for my butts, (cig butts, my butt won't fit in a baggie lol), So I put the butt back in the not-empty pack, and, therefore, I'm literally carrying everything that the ash tray would have carried. If, he let me use an ashtray on his deck, I would have emptied it into a napkin or something, when I left, instead of bring back inside in the case that's half cigs and half butts.

And, nope on using my fingers to put the cigs out. RYO so the ember last longer. (Some of the added chemicals are to stop the smoke so much, and then stop the ember from taking so longer to burn.) That translates into, wet fingers + burning ember = blisters on fingers. I use the ground to put out the cig.

 

[BillG]

I'll just stick to coffee...no one is taking my caffeine...grrr...

Oh dear. Look at it this way

 

[Depleted]

Starting smoking in the first place makes it harder to deal with stress, why do you think smokers find it hard to quit? The receptors in the brain which create natural calmness, and also, proteins in the brain which control the sleep clock (in newer research), are damaged.

When someone started smoking in the beginning it was to 'cope with something'. Whether that was a dysfunctional family, childhood abuse or other trauma, lack of friends.

Did any non-smoker who became a smoker, see people smoking, think I know it's bad, I know it's unhealthy, but I'll do it anyway because my life is great and God is on my side in doing so?

But while some people may not have listened to the devil who says, you know you want one, you know you want to feel worthy, you know you want to forget about the past, you know you want to rebel, there are others who were fortunate to choose a different path. And smokers will not accept that, accept that they tend to be more weak-minded than those who never took up smoking.

This makes them more likely to be deceptive to themselves, and to others. And in answer to what StunnedByGrace said in a couple of responses, smokers will rarely speak positively of smoking in public. It's mainly if you want to try and help them quit, or you see it damaging their health, or you see them coughing all the time and try to advise.

I'm not here to make smokers feel bad, I'm here to speak the truth.

I've helped people quit drugs, I have never had any success helping anyone quit smoking.

And StunnedByGrace, not sure why you want to trample on my own observations of smokers and how they behave. Are you a smoker?

Agreeing with you in all but two things:
1. I started smoking tobacco because it was supposed to keep the high going for smoking pot. (And, yes, my age is showing, since I called it pot.) Now THAT is the height of stupidity there, especially given it was menthol cigs they were supposed to help, but I can't stand menthol.

2. Stunned did not "trample" on your observations, unless, you meant to quote her instead of p_r.

 

[BillG]

I smoke, in fact I'm having a smoke now whilst I post this.
I'm not proud and I don't like what I'm doing.
Been told that I'm gong to hell and will smell like it when I go there.

Now what I am going to say is thruth.

When away on a break I went for a smoke.
Sat outside and someone asked me for a light. I gave him him a light.
God asked me to engage with him.
Long story short turns out he had just been release from prison. Was on probation.
God asked me to ask him why (I crapped myself) so I asked him.
He answered why but he said one sentence I honed in on.

"I used to be a Christian?
I said "Used to be, have you confessed Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead for the forgiveness of your sins?
He said yes.

That night he came back to God.

I am going on holiday next month to the same place I'm have been to for the last 7 years.
I like to have a beer and a smoke late in the afternoon.

Every year whilst sat doing that I started conversation with people and every year I have been able to pray for them.
In fact for the last 4 years I have met the same people and they have asked me to pray for them.

Ok I'm not advertising smoking here but just giving my experience.
Smoking is bad I agree but equally not loving people is tragic.

God has used my weakness to help others.

 

[followjesus]

Sin is something that misses the mark, and takes you out of alignment with God.

The question is, is it a sin to self-harm? Of course it is.

Is smoking self-harm? Of course it is.

Are drugs mind-altering? Yes. If something is mind-altering does it affect the heart? Yes. That counts for prescription drugs too.

Ps. the word defile means to damage the purity or appearance of; mar or spoil. Do cigarettes do this? Yes. Do most prescription drugs have side-effects? Yes, sadly they do.

I'll tell you the greatest evil of smoking, and just how mind-altering it is, having spent a lot of time analysing vices people use. It will have smokers make-up absolutely any fabrication to justify it being good, making them happy (forget people who don't smoke), and that they smoke because they enjoy it and addiction isn't a factor.

Jesus didn't mention anything about ecstacy or cocaine, and the Bible says "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man", so does that mean it's ok? No, this is fabricating justification.

Smokers have more troubled souls and hearts than most people. Maybe that coincidentally is life, and that moment they thought screw it I will smoke that first cigarette that makes me feel ill and then smoke another one until the addiction tells me I enjoy it. It is those beginning thoughts of insanity into a highly addictive substance, that should tell you whether something is good or not. If you're a smoker, remember the reasons you started, they were not pure...

as an ex smoker it really has alot of spiritual Power in the mind, its the first thing to do in the morning and the Last to do at night, when you are without a cigarette for awhile it makes you irritable and snappy, just mildly angry really. Thats the thing that bothered me the Most, the power it had over me to affect my mind and attitude. not to mention the many effects on the physical Health we endure just to have a smoke. every adult pretty much understands smoking can cause many diseases, but for 20 plus years, it didnt matter at all to me i just put it out of my Mind.

3 years ago my uncle John was diagnosed with an aggressive carcinoma and over the next year and few months i spent alot of time with Him watching him struggling to breath and talk about His regrets of smoking for 40 years. eventually 17 months after His diagnosis He passed away mercifully after basically suffocating slowly for the last 5 months. its really sad and harsh to se what smoking can do to a strong person. both spiritually and physically. still struggle with the desire sometimes, but alot better spiritually and physically now breathing better than i have in 15 years.

 

[joefizz]

Do you never submit to your desires?
If someone cuts you off in traffic have you never submitted to your desire to honk the horn and scream and yell they are an idiot?
Jesus says anger toward your brother means you have already committed murder.
Which do you think is worse - a murderer or a smoker?
You do have it right - God IS listening.

and how does it seemeth that I am angry,also the scripture is..."anger but sin not" your statement is inaccurate somewhat,Jesus spoke of to love your brother not "hate" hate and anger are not the same,anger means you are upset but you still can hold yourself back from doing something foolish,hate is when you are so furious with someone that you most likely desire them to die or you desire to lie in wait for them like how cain slew abel,cain "hated" his brother abel after they both made offering unto God,because God accepted abel's offering of a year old lamb,and he felt it unfair that God did not accept his offering,though God told him that if he brought forth a correct offering that it would be accepted,but cain was so burning with hatred that he slew abel,the scripture you mean to say is..."if you do not love your brother whom you have seen,then how can you love God whom you have not seen,as well as"if a man hateth his brother,but sayeth he loves God he is a liar" so nay my words were not of hate but of truth because I often pray that people whom "choose" to stay bound to killing themselves will eventually give up what they "pretend" they cannot give up,for I know of a TRUTH that is written of Jesus speaking"my grace is sufficient for thee" so I for one KNOW that all whom constantly choose things of death over the gift of life,CAN give up such ways through Jesus Christ,to say otherwise is just another excuse used to justify such acts of foolishness and in a sense,one "Hates" themselves by choosing to continue taking in such things of death,because one simply despises their own life yet claim they appreciate it through such things of death,and yes everyone sins including myself but ask yourselves these questions,do you really care for God?'do you appreciate your life?,do you actually want to enter heaven?, because if you partake of these things of death with no remorse for doing so then"you have you reward" those who decide to give up such ways having remorse for partakeing of these foolish things,you show that you care for God and that ye have faith in God as well in the promise of salvation,whether you backslide or not remorse make the difference,for it leads to change,having no remorse for sins,leads to keeping such ways,May ye realize that "with God all things are possible"!

 

[FranC]

I smoke, in fact I'm having a smoke now whilst I post this.
I'm not proud and I don't like what I'm doing.
Been told that I'm gong to hell and will smell like it when I go there.

Now what I am going to say is thruth.

When away on a break I went for a smoke.
Sat outside and someone asked me for a light. I gave him him a light.
God asked me to engage with him.
Long story short turns out he had just been release from prison. Was on probation.
God asked me to ask him why (I crapped myself) so I asked him.
He answered why but he said one sentence I honed in on.

"I used to be a Christian?
I said "Used to be, have you confessed Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead for the forgiveness of your sins?
He said yes.

That night he came back to God.

I am going on holiday next month to the same place I'm have been to for the last 7 years.
I like to have a beer and a smoke late in the afternoon.

Every year whilst sat doing that I started conversation with people and every year I have been able to pray for them.
In fact for the last 4 years I have met the same people and they have asked me to pray for them.

Ok I'm not advertising smoking here but just giving my experience.
Smoking is bad I agree but equally not loving people is tragic.

God has used my weakness to help others.

Dontcha worry if you smoke in hell.

No one will notice.

 

[FranC]

and how does it seemeth that I am angry,also the scripture is..."anger but sin not" your statement is inaccurate somewhat,Jesus spoke of to love your brother not "hate" hate and anger are not the same,anger means you are upset but you still can hold yourself back from doing something foolish,hate is when you are so furious with someone that you most likely desire them to die or you desire to lie in wait for them like how cain slew abel,cain "hated" his brother abel after they both made offering unto God,because God accepted abel's offering of a year old lamb,and he felt it unfair that God did not accept his offering,though God told him that if he brought forth a correct offering that it would be accepted,but cain was so burning with hatred that he slew abel,the scripture you mean to say is..."if you do not love your brother whom you have seen,then how can you love God whom you have not seen,as well as"if a man hateth his brother,but sayeth he loves God he is a liar" so nay my words were not of hate but of truth because I often pray that people whom "choose" to stay bound to killing themselves will eventually give up what they "pretend" they cannot give up,for I know of a TRUTH that is written of Jesus speaking"my grace is sufficient for thee" so I for one KNOW that all whom constantly choose things of death over the gift of life,CAN give up such ways through Jesus Christ,to say otherwise is just another excuse used to justify such acts of foolishness and in a sense,one "Hates" themselves by choosing to continue taking in such things of death,because one simply despises their own life yet claim they appreciate it through such things of death,and yes everyone sins including myself but ask yourselves these questions,do you really care for God?'do you appreciate your life?,do you actually want to enter heaven?, because if you partake of these things of death with no remorse for doing so then"you have you reward" those who decide to give up such ways having remorse for partakeing of these foolish things,you show that you care for God and that ye have faith in God as well in the promise of salvation,whether you backslide or not remorse make the difference,for it leads to change,having no remorse for sins,leads to keeping such ways,May ye realize that "with God all things are possible"!

Hey!

You forgot to make paragraphs.
I'm not telling you again.

I gave you a free lesson on how to do it.
If I have to give you another lesson, I'll be sending you a bill.

And I don't mean BillG.

 

[Huckleberry]

Let me fix that for you.

There. That's your true love displayed.

Your perversion of my post shows that you are intellectually
dishonest and have the mentality of a tantrum-throwing child.
Guess I touched one of your tender little nerves.
Sad that your parents were such utter failures.
No need to respond.
Welcome to my ignore list.

 

[joefizz]

Hey!

You forgot to make paragraphs.
I'm not telling you again.

I gave you a free lesson on how to do it.
If I have to give you another lesson, I'll be sending you a bill.

And I don't mean BillG.

sorry I do try but hey punctuation and paragraphs aren't everything,and the ever annoying
,five minutes to correct
,doesn't help things,
,I do look over my posts at the very least for checking my spelling but punctuation and paragraphs are not my strong suit especially since I use a phone
,If I had a computer I would at least be indenting my posts.

 

[FranC]

sorry I do try but hey punctuation and paragraphs aren't everything,and the ever annoying
,five minutes to correct
,doesn't help things,
,I do look over my posts at the very least for checking my spelling but punctuation and paragraphs are not my strong suit especially since I use a phone
,If I had a computer I would at least be indenting my posts.

I can't even write on a phone.
I bought a tablet for when I'm out all day and might get bored.
I check in. It keeps my blood pressure up... !
But i can't really reply to anyone.
P.S. I use a computer.

Hey. Don't worry about grammar. We all know about that.
Paragraphs seem easy.
I know what you're doing, you just type and type. It's called wrap around...

I just like what you write and sometimes I can't read it.
But I love you anyway !

Take care JF

 

[Meggido]

The most stupidest thing churches do is set high expectations for baby and young growing sons and daughters of God.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

I believe smoking is a sin, but I don't know why you'd kick smokers out of the church without also kicking out all the other sinners, which probably would be everybody.

I agree ,and also bad odor Is one of those things that might offend your neighbor,their should be someone that Is not afraid to tell the person that's offensive that they are offensive and possibly causing some of the other members to sin,

especially when the pastor says,turn around and greet your neighbor,and the person doesn't want to greet the offensive person ,but they do It to appear righteous.

Whatever that's not of faith Is sin.

 

[Billyd]

I've never smoked, nor has Mama, a single cigarette. I thank God for helping us avoid that vice. I pray that every Christian parent will set an example of a smoke free life for their children.

Is smoking a sin? Yes
Should we dis-fellowship church members for sin? I hope you don't believe that. If you do, you will be the only member left.

Personal sin is a problem best left to the sinner and God. Only God can judge the person. I do find it interesting that His word says that when we ask, He is faithful to forgive us and restore our fellowship with Him. That's actually why we call it a personal relationship with Him.

A side thought. I think that smokers carry around a foul odor. Does God? I don't know. He does consider smell of the burning flesh of an animal sacrifice a sweet aroma. I'm glad he sent Jesus. I don't have to smell either.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

I very rarely smoke in any public place and I will never smoke around someone who is trying to quit or around anybody that might stumble if I do smoke around them. I don't act this way because I think smoking a sin because it isnt. I do so to prevent any unrighteous judgement that might occur in the hearts of others around me.

I agree except the part where you said smoking Is not a sin.

It might be a sin to your neighbor.

 

[Meggido]

I agree except the part where you said smoking Is not a sin.

It might be a sin to your neighbor.

How does a SIN affecting his neighbor make it his personal sin????

Smoking was not a SIN for me or anyone around me, until the Holy Spirit and I made covenant, that I would not smoke anymore...it then became Sin and only SIN for me....

 

[Billyd]

I can't even write on a phone.
I bought a tablet for when I'm out all day and might get bored.
I check in. It keeps my blood pressure up... !
But i can't really reply to anyone.
P.S. I use a computer.

Hey. Don't worry about grammar. We all know about that.
Paragraphs seem easy.
I know what you're doing, you just type and type. It's called wrap around...

I just like what you write and sometimes I can't read it.
But I love you anyway !

Take care JF

It might help everyone to know that the average person reads the first and last sentence, and skips the rambling in between. A paragraph that covers a half screen is a waste of the writer's time.

 

[J7]

Smokers kind of disfellowship themselves really.

When we disfellowship ourselves, then we sin I think..but there are many forms whereby we disfellowship ourselves

 

[Gabriel2020]

The devil has finally convinced the world that he controls ,that smoking kills and second hand smoking kills others. Utterly putting mankind in deep hate and conflict with each other. sowing discord among man. Making this conflict itself a sin before God and not the smoking. Very conning he is. The wiles of the devil.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

How does a SIN affecting his neighbor make it his personal sin????

Smoking was not a SIN for me or anyone around me, until the Holy Spirit and I made covenant, that I would not smoke anymore...it then became Sin and only SIN for me....

Maybe I stated the post wrong but what I meant Is,If your neighbor feels smoking Is a sin and he looks up to you but he sees you smoking,he may smoke ,thinking In his heart that smoking Is a sin.

Whatever that's not of faith Is sin.

JESUS died for our sins,rather,rose again and we ought to also love our neighbor.