Smoking.

[seoulsearch]

When someone with a better track record than Spurgeon tells me that it affects Christians spiritually, I will listen. I won't agree, because I know better. I'm not advocating smoking. I am against the attitude that smokers are modern day lepers to be condemned and avoided.

This is like saying, "When someone with a better track record than King David tells me that adultery affects Christians spiritually, I will listen. I won't agree, because I know better."

It's just a different sin, and all sin affects us spiritually.

You are certainly free to believe that smoking has no spiritual affect, but it obviously harms the body, and God commands us to take care of our bodies, which are the very temples He chooses to live in.

Now of course, I don't think that smokers should be shunned or condemned at all. One of my best friends is a heavy smoker, and I worry that she will suffer the same fate as my older relative because of it, but I love her dearly and would never turn my back on her. But I could also never live as a roommate in the same household with her because I am very allergic to the smoke and that would be causing me self-harm.

You of course are free to believe any way you want, but I personally believe that any form of harm, especially those we choose to do to ourselves (whether someone else's smoking or my own binge eating) most definitely affects us spiritually.

If the subject didn't affect you spiritually (even if you are a non-smoker,) I would highly suspect you wouldn't even feel a need to write such a thread.

The obvious fact that this bothers you so much is an indication of how much the very subject affects your spirit.

 

[tstumf]

I think it’s the case of hyper “religiousness” though I don’t smoke, I tried it same as chew tobacco but never took to it. I personally believe the Lord smokes a fine Cigar every once in a while. If Jesus made water into wine for a wedding party. Many who followed Jesus drank wine as well . I can’t see why he would be opposed to smokes so long as these things don’t take priority over God himself. I believe it was the Pharisees who accused Jesus of being a glutton and a drunkard. Correct me if I’m mistaken. I think the key things to ask oneself would be . Am I enjoying this….( Name your vice)…. More than I enjoy God? And secondly,am I using this vice to cope with unresolved feelings and stresses that should be addressed in other ways through God? Am I trying to numb some unnamed pain in my life? In these cases I would think that in fact a person should avoid Smokes or alcohol as far as our faith goes.

 

[shittim]

English Standard Version
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 

[rayzor]

All things r lawful. not all things r us at r best. if u live here on earth to just 2 live. Will eat drink be mary for life is short.Consider, the good guy r suppose to be a light and not really here just 2 live consider how others might view u as a testamony....does smoking make u look like a sinner & does that really matter?

 

[rayzor]

All things r lawfull.All things in moderation such as drinking.The thing about smoking is it has a testimony of addiction and cancer and to many sinner, it makes the one that smokes look like a sinner. My mom was killed from smoking

 

[Lanolin]

Maybe on Ash Wednesday.

burning incense is a bit different from putting things in your mouth and puffing it.

 

[Desdichado]

Depends how close you're standing to the source. Incense is strong.

burning incense is a bit different from putting things in your mouth and puffing it.

 

[tourist]

burning incense is a bit different from putting things in your mouth and puffing it.

OK

 

[Lanolin]

tip.....replace your cigars and cigarettes with....harmonicas?

 

[tstumf]

tip.....replace your cigars and cigarettes with....harmonicas?

I like the (thwangy, twangy)noise of a mouth harp myself! 😊😃 lots of laughs

 

[Desdichado]

 

[Lynx]

I think it’s the case of hyper “religiousness” though I don’t smoke, I tried it same as chew tobacco but never took to it. I personally believe the Lord smokes a fine Cigar every once in a while. If Jesus made water into wine for a wedding party. Many who followed Jesus drank wine as well . I can’t see why he would be opposed to smokes so long as these things don’t take priority over God himself. I believe it was the Pharisees who accused Jesus of being a glutton and a drunkard. Correct me if I’m mistaken. I think the key things to ask oneself would be . Am I enjoying this….( Name your vice)…. More than I enjoy God? And secondly,am I using this vice to cope with unresolved feelings and stresses that should be addressed in other ways through God? Am I trying to numb some unnamed pain in my life? In these cases I would think that in fact a person should avoid Smokes or alcohol as far as our faith goes.

I like the way you think!

So I can use a prostitute, as long as I'm not enjoying her more than I enjoy God.

I mean, why not? Using a prostitute is even less harmful than smoking.

Back in a bit... it may take me some time to find a good prostitute at this time of day. It's early morning here.

 

[tstumf]

I like the way you think!

So I can use a prostitute, as long as I'm not enjoying her more than I enjoy God.

I mean, why not? Using a prostitute is even less harmful than smoking.

Back in a bit... it may take me some time to find a good prostitute at this time of day. It's early morning here.

Lovely straw man argument. Now I don’t have all the answers nor do I pretend to but this is what I believe.
You are forgetting that would be sexual immorality and would be a sin directly addressed in the Bible in several places smoking? Not so much. Remember, it was the Pharisees and a mob of accusers who wished to stone a certain prostitute and they tested Jesus with the situation. Jesus told the crowd if anyone is without sin go and cast the first stone… the crowd dispersed. Jesus did not condemn the prostitute but he instead told her to go and sin no more. Drunkenness is addressed but within proper context drinking in celebration and ceremonies are allowed in the Bible just not to excess. We can argue semantics back and forth all day on these but I think the key thing is to keep whatever you do in moderation and keep the health of the spirit in mind while partaking. A cigar,a cigarette or a drink of wine will not kill you nor are they sin when used responsibly . Anything can become an idol in this world . not just stone and wooden false statues of gods. People, relationships, human bodies,alcohol, and yes even smokes can become idols in our lives. Anything placed above God is considered an idol.

 

[seoulsearch]

Lovely straw man argument. Now I don’t have all the answers nor do I pretend to but this is what I believe.
You are forgetting that would be sexual immorality and would be a sin directly addressed in the Bible in several places smoking? Not so much. Remember, it was the Pharisees and a mob of accusers who wished to stone a certain prostitute and they tested Jesus with the situation. Jesus told the crowd if anyone is without sin go and cast the first stone… the crowd dispersed. Jesus did not condemn the prostitute but he instead told her to go and sin no more. Drunkenness is addressed but within proper context drinking in celebration and ceremonies are allowed in the Bible just not to excess. We can argue semantics back and forth all day on these but I think the key thing is to keep whatever you do in moderation and keep the health of the spirit in mind while partaking. A cigar,a cigarette or a drink of wine will not kill you nor are they sin when used responsibly . Anything can become an idol in this world . not just stone and wooden false statues of gods. People, relationships, human bodies,alcohol, and yes even smokes can become idols in our lives. Anything placed above God is considered an idol.

Hi @tstumf,

I can assure you with the utmost certainty that Lynx was joking.

If anyone would have an interest in prostitutes, he would be the least likely, believe me.

Funny thing though...

I was having a conversation with a different guy friend just a few days ago about how strip clubs are basically legalized prostitution.

 

[JohnDB]

This thread reminds me of one of the lessons Jesus taught that so many people kinda miss in understanding.

It was the lesson concerning the exorcism of an evil spirit and 7 replacing the original one.

But basically Jesus was talking about how people remove one sin from their life but because of their judgementalism they are so much worse than just living with the original sin...
Akin to straining out a gnat but swallowing an entire gnat infested camel.

So...I tried to walk on water at the sea of Galilee once while visiting Israel...
Not only did I fail miserably I thought that the rocks on the bottom were an added injury on top of the existing insult. (They hurt my feet and I wished for surf shoes)

So....since I can't walk on water I really don't have any room to point fingers at anyone.
BUT
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that many people find the odor coming from a smoker to be offensive. (Which usually a smoker cannot smell on themselves)
The Gospel message is extremely offensive as it is...but RJR Reynolds isn't exactly going broke anytime soon either. Many people smoke. (Probably more now during quarantine than before)

What goes into a body doesn't make a person unclean but what comes out of the abundance of what is within their hearts. Can good fruit come from a bad tree? And not every apple is good on every apple tree.

Just my thoughts...they may not be right, but I own them.

 

[Lanolin]

well I can tell you smoking stinks
dont smoke in my library...books that are smoked damaged we wouldnt put on the shelf.

sin...well thing is people can just NOT do it right? its not like anyone is born with a cigarette in their mouth. and HAS to smoke.

 

[JohnDB]

well I can tell you smoking stinks
dont smoke in my library...books that are smoked damaged we wouldnt put on the shelf.

sin...well thing is people can just NOT do it right? its not like anyone is born with a cigarette in their mouth. and HAS to smoke.

I am not going to promote smoking or tobacco use...but just understand that there are genes (DNA) snips that have been linked to extremely strong addiction to nicotine. All this to say that some people who experiment with tobacco use become strongly addicted to the nicotine and will always crave it. Something akin to a heroin addiction.
Since tobacco products are legal and not stupifying like narcotics I can understand and have compassion for those who are addicted.
Others can put tobacco aside and never look back with only a very mild addiction of missing the oral habit.

And unless you have your DNA uploaded to particular websites for analysis you really won't know...just like many people haven't done it.

They've discovered a lot about people who have been previously discriminated against but the issues are genetic variation and nothing else. From the bald guys to the obese women to the smoker...there's a lot of genetic predisposition for most of these "sins". BTW there is no "homosexual" gene...just in case you wanted to know. That one appears to be strictly psychological in nature.

 

[rayzor]

Tourettes:Have seen people that have 2 do something like that disease that makes people say bad words.Know sickness that makes people bless people at least that i know of.With addiction it becomes 2 painful not 2.Lanolin really we have 2 be them 2 understand them = second 2 that is 2 have the mind of Christ.aka the spirit

 

[Lanolin]

I am not going to promote smoking or tobacco use...but just understand that there are genes (DNA) snips that have been linked to extremely strong addiction to nicotine. All this to say that some people who experiment with tobacco use become strongly addicted to the nicotine and will always crave it. Something akin to a heroin addiction.
Since tobacco products are legal and not stupifying like narcotics I can understand and have compassion for those who are addicted.
Others can put tobacco aside and never look back with only a very mild addiction of missing the oral habit.

And unless you have your DNA uploaded to particular websites for analysis you really won't know...just like many people haven't done it.

They've discovered a lot about people who have been previously discriminated against but the issues are genetic variation and nothing else. From the bald guys to the obese women to the smoker...there's a lot of genetic predisposition for most of these "sins". BTW there is no "homosexual" gene...just in case you wanted to know. That one appears to be strictly psychological in nature.

meh dont start
I dont really have much sympathy for smokers. If they want to smoke dont do it in my face. please.
Cos I dont wanna breathe it.

 

[Lanolin]

Tourettes:Have seen people that have 2 do something like that disease that makes people say bad words.Know sickness that makes people bless people at least that i know of.With addiction it becomes 2 painful not 2.Lanolin really we have 2 be them 2 understand them = second 2 that is 2 have the mind of Christ.aka the spirit

well nobody can BE somebody else
what Jesus did was set people free. He didnt say oh carry on with your addiction which is gonna kill you