Smoking?

What do you think of smoking? do you think it is a sin? Why and why not?I mentioned that it was, for it steals kills and destroys the temple of the Holy spirit.

The scripture that is normally used to justify smoking is in Matthew 15v11, 'Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man'.

Well, I guess by using that scripture, that gives the licence to justify smoking pot, cannabis etc.

Let's face it, if you can smoke cigarettes, which goes into the mouth, why not drugs, where do you draw the line, or is there no line to draw because God is love?

For me, smoking is a sin. It is wrong, and it is a mockery to God's Holy Spirit who dwells in us when we do deliberately defile the temple.

How does smoking glorify God? Show me.

Years ago, I was on an outreach, and a Christian was witnessing to someone whilst smoking.

I was horrified and transfixed on this cigarette that this man had in his hand whilst telling someone about Jesus.

I can see it now as I write, even though it was over 20 years ago. It was so horrific.

There are those who are Christians, who do smoke
and find no problem with it.

So be it.

God bless.

I am coming at this from the stand-point of a former smoker. However I quit 30 years ago when I got saved. Smoking defiles the temple. Plus just as was spoken, it is a bad testimony. I will not deny that it is a very strong addiction.

I own a restaurant and I have seen first hand over and over the effect of smoking on the body. They come in with air tanks, or just unable to catch their breath and then they stand outside and smoke. I have known several that have died recently or are just about to from lung cancer from smoking. Also their skin starts to look like old leather. I can actually spot long-time smokers by their skin.

Also it seems to me that the money spent on this addiction would be much better spent supporting missionaries like Rolland and Heide Baker or others. Let's see if you smoke one pack a day that is approx. $912.00, two packs $1825.00 per years. That could go a long way to furthing the gospel. That would buy a lot of tracts or bibles to hand out. Instead it is thrown down the toilet. I know I did it.

I know that sounds harsh, but it is the truth. There is nothing good about smoking. It isn't easy to quit outside of God, but it is well worth the effort, especially when heart disease and cancer accompany it.

If a poll were taken of every member on this site, my expectation is that 99% would conclude that smoking is a sin. I will dare to be the disenting opinion.

When I first came to the Lord in the early 80s, I smoked cigarettes. I was not instantly delivered at the moment of salvation, nor at the time when I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Deliverance, complete and with no struggle came soon however.

Now my testimony of my walk with God is not one I am proud of proclaiming. Since joining SI the Lord has brought such an incredible level of growth and understanding into my life that I would be hard put to detail it all. Prior to this however my testimony could only be classified as a dismal failure. The root of this had much to do with the things Zac Poonen taught in those two 'must hear' sermons Greg posted a short time ago.

To shorten this as much as possible let me just say that my walk with God has been a roller coaster ride, with the overall trajectory ever downhill. During these 20 plus years of frustration I once again picked up the habit of smoking.

Now, as to the question of whether this is sin or not; Sin by its very nature, and by the nature of God, causes a seperation to occur between ourselves and God. I have always been very aware of God's presence in my life. During all those years of struggle I consistently struggled with that sin issue common to men and the lust of the eyes. Every time I would stumble in this area it caused an absolute rift in my relationship with the Lord. I could not pray or even read His Word until I had repented and confessed my sin to Him. Even then it would often take a day or two before fellowship was restored. This to me was one method He used to chastize me. The loss of fellowship was agonizing and as painful a punishment that I could imagine.

I relate this sad state I lived in for a purpose. As I mentioned, since coming to SI I have experienced phenominal growth in my walk with our Lord. The power of lust has been broken, my prayer life has been set on fire, I have a joy in me that can only find its source in the kingdom of God as well as a peace that passes understanding.

I still smoke. If smoking can truly be defined as sin, I would not be able to enter into His presence until I had 'repented' and confessed, placed this 'sin' under the blood of Jesus etc. Yet I do not have the conviction of the Holy Spirit or requirement of repentance that accompanies 'sin' in order to have fellowship with Him.

[color=000066]1Cr 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1Cr 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [/color]

While the context of these scriptures have to do with eating meat offered to idols, they are applicable to this issue.

Think about it in these terms; most Americans eat more red meat than is healthy. Studies show that too much red meat can lead to colon cancer. Yet many of us continue to have a large quantity of red meat in our diets. If a poll were taken asking if eating too much red meat is a sin, the percentage of yes answers would drop drastically, with most no respondants quoting the above verses as their reasoning. Smoking is no different.

Smoking in front of someone can certainly cause them to stumble. Attempting to witness to an unbeliever while smoking is certainly a poor witness and rather ineffectual. Smoking in this context I would certainly classify as sin, but this is because of the damaging impact it has on another life.

I doubt that I have managed to change your mind in this. If you came into this thread believing that smoking is a sin, more than likely you will continue to hold this conviction after reading my dissension. For some of you, reading this will cause you to form an opinion of me through which you will begin to filter anything I may post on other threads. Doing so will be to your own detriment and is rooted in a subtle pride, but I can do nothing to prevent it. I say this only because it has been my observation that the [u]we[/u] who are fervent for the things of God often times fall the shortest in Christian virtue in the area of grace toward each other.

This is the risk I take in being this open and honest about my life. The fact is that I have no desire to hide behind a religious facade. It is so easy to do, especially in a forum like this where few if any of you will ever see me in person.

In closing let me say that I am not attempting to justify smoking. No good thing can come of it. I desire to be rid of this habit and pray regularly about it. God is able to deliver me today as easily as when I was first saved, but for whatever reason has not done so yet. I would truly appreciate your prayers.

That we may all grow together in His grace,

Doug

There comes a time in ones life where you must determine to discipline the fleshly desires. I believe smoking is something you need to set down and walk away from and the Lord will honor that, for He wants nothing of this world to have dominion over you. Once you set this sin aside you will see your fallacy in it. I know I did and a few others who claimed christianity and still smoked onced layed aside there was a realisation of this Being sin and a hinderance to the Way.

In Christ,

Craig

I remember once my pastor was asked this question.

His response was "Well, I don't know if it will send you to hell or not, but I know it will make you smell like you've been there."

KrispyKrittr wrote:
I will admit to you that when I am camping I enjoy a cigar while sitting at the campfire and looking at the stars. But thats two or three times a year. It's not an addiction as I can take it or leave it. But if I am around someone who has quit smoking, I refrain because I do not want to be a stumbling block. I have freedom in that, but if my freedom causes another to stumble, it becomes sin.
Krispy

I don't see what's wrong with this at all. . . like another person said, you don't [i]live for it[/i] . . . personally, I love the smell of pipe tobacco and I wish I knew someone who occasionally smoked a pipe!

Years ago I was about to quit smoking. I smoked my last and what seemed to be audible was the Lord asking,"When you quit, what will you do with all that anger?". I had no idea I had 'all that anger'.
Smoking isn't in the heart but anger certainly is and for me, smoking was only a symptom.

I agree about being mastered by smoking. If you don't think you are mastered by it, take it away for a couple of days, the people who love you almost want to shuv it back in your mouth.

If we have a busy night at our restaurant and our smoking employees don't get thier smoke break on time they get uglier and uglier.

I can also say that if they were short on cash smoking would come before food or electricity. How do I know? The same ones who tell me they are so broke their lights have been turned off are puffing on cigarettes. No I know these are not ones who serve the Lord, but it does indicate just how addicting it is.

Spurgeon was once asked by another preacher if he feared that his smoking would hurt his testimony.

He replied, "If I ever smoke to excess"
.
"And what would that be?" the other preacher asked

"If I smoked two cigars at the same time" Spurgeon answered

I wonder Krispy does that make either right?

Hello, friends.

Context seems to matter in this issue. Imagine a man from some foriegn country who lives without any knowledge of the detrimental effects of nicotine, etc., and so chooses to smoke. He is a believer in Christ and the word and thus agrees that moderation is virtuous. He therefore limits himself to only occassional tobacco, particularly when he has headaches. I find it highly unlikely that he would experience any conviction over smoking at all. How do I come to this conclusion? Simple: history attests to it.

Smoking tobacco began in the Americas and was soon brought to Europe. Early accounts describe men using it as a medical remedy for head colds. (Robinson Crusoe, for instance) So, by "doctors orders", many Christians probably thought it was more sinful to NOT smoke if they were sick, believing it to be such an easy cure. However, studies soon showed the detrimental effects of abuse.

Therefore, I believe it is ignoring the knowledge of the consequences that makes smoking sinful.

Personally, I have never smoked. I think my mother smoked enough for both of us. Still, I am frustrated when someone belittles smoking who at the same moment watches sinful shows, enjoys music set to vain lyrics, or jokes irreverently. Each of those is just as addictive and likely deals more spiritual damage to everyone. Often it is the subtle sins which are the most deadly.

Here is a quote from King James, himself, taken from his "Counterblaste to Tobacco":

"Have you not reason then to bee ashamed, and to forbeare this filthie noveltie, so basely grounded, so foolishly received and so grossely mistaken in the right use thereof? In your abuse thereof sinning against God, harming your selves both in persons and goods, and raking also thereby the marks and notes of vanitie upon you: by the custome thereof making your selves to be wondered at by all forraine civil Nations, and by all strangers that come among you, to be scorned and contemned. A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the Nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse."