Is Smoking A Sin?

[INOLVIDABLE]

Hi, Is Smoking A Sin?
(ciggarettes, Or Cigars)
Peace

[poochie]

Yes smoking is a sin as it is violating the temple that the Holy Spirit resides in.

[graceforme]

And I think smoking is a very bad witness to others. The world watches us very closely, and whenever we do things that are like the world, it shows them that we aren't really very different after all. Scripture says we are to be a "peculiar people" meaning that we shouldn't do what the world does.

And, looking at it from a very logical point of view - with all the information that is out there now regarding how much damage smoking does to the person and those around them, I can't understand how anyone with a brain in their head would want to start smoking.

God Bless.

[divaD]

So the next question might be....are those that smoke..are they going to hell since this is apparently a sin? And if not, why not? Sin is sin, right? I am in no way claiming that whomever smokes is going to hell, but smoking, if it is a sin, is habitual, just like lying might be habitual, etc. And we know that no liars shall inherit the kingdom of heaven, so, will habitual smokers inherit the kingdom of heaven or not?

BTW, I don't smoke, but I used to smoke a pack a day. The last time I recall smoking, cigarettes were 65 cents a pack, lol. You guessed it, lol...I think I quit smoking in the late 70's or around there.:)

[9Marksfan]

This is a very important point - two of the greatest preachers of the last 150 years, CH Spurgeon and DR Martyn Lloyd-Jones both smoked - Spurgeon loved cigars and Lloyd-Jones cigarettes. In Iain H Murra's boigraphy of Lloyd-Jones' early years, he was looking for a packet of cigarettes in his home and couldn't find one - he became very agitated and then the thought came to him "you are not free" - as we would say , he realised he was "hooked" - repented and gradually cut down to nothing.

I understand that cigars are not as harmful to your health (if at all?) - Spurgeon's view was that it was a debatable issue - if it were sin to YOU and you smoked, it was sin - if it WASN'T sin to you (and it wasn't to him), then it wasn't sin. As far as I know, he never gave up and saw it as one of the "good things" God had given for him "richly to enjoy" - we could perhaps compare it to alcohol in our own day.

If a believer is hooked on cigarettes, however, and struggles with it till the day they die (as we all do with certain besetting sins), then I don't think we can say that they're going to Hell - we are saved by grace, after all, not sinless perfection! But if someone professes to be saved and blithely carries on smoking publically with no sense of guilt, even after it's pointed out to them that it - like any addiction - is sinful and is a bad witness - I would question that person's salvation. Sensitivity to sin is one of the key marks of being born of God (1 John 1).

[divaD]

I understand that cigars are not as harmful to your health (if at all?)


I have to blatantly disagree with this. The man I work for, he smokes cigars all day long. This messes with my sinuses in a bad way and causes me to feel unbearable pressure in my eyes because of it. I know that that may sound vision related, but it's not. It's a sinus problem.

Some others on this same crew smoke cigarettes. These cigarettes don't mess with my sinuses the way that the cigars do. I know that it's the cigars, because this man only started smoking them 7-8 months ago. Before that, he was chewing tobacco.

[graceforme]

This is an issue that has caused much discussion within the Body of Christ. I know God does no desire that we destroy ourselves, as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Thank God for His grace in our lives, as we continue to destroy ourselves with the food we eat (over-indulgence, additives and preservatives, insecticides, etc), the air we breathe (destroyed by emissions, etc.) and even the water we drink has so much added to it, it's not really pure water anymore. We are quickly wiping ourselves out by abusing ourselves and our environment. It's a true miracle that our body manages to keep going as long as it does.

Is smoking any worse than using hair spray, which is absorbed through the skin and hair follicles and also destroyes the Ozone? Is smoking any worse than over-eating? This country has a higher obesity rate than any country in the world. Is smoking any worse than destroying our air with emissions from cars, factories, etc.?

It is only by God's grace that our planet is still existing and not destroyed by our own stupidity. Amazing to me that even though we are better educated than ever before in history, we continue to do the same things and even worse to destroy ourselves.

If you consider the high cancer rate in this country, it should be obvious that we DO reap what we sow. Chemicals, constantly introduced into our bodies create conditions that should never exist.

I became very convicted about smoking when I got saved. God clearly let me know through conviction that I should not be smoking.

I looked up the notes on several passages regarding the body being the Temple of The Holy Spirit and here's what I found.

1 Cor. 3:16-17

"The Gr. word is "phrheiro" - to corrupt, spoil, ruin, waster, destroy. Trans. destroy in this verse; and to corrupt (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 7:2; 11:3; Rev. 19:2; Jude 10; Eph. 4:22) This (V. 17) is a solemn warning against sex sin, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, narcotics, etc. which destroy the body."

I think there is a difference between indulging in a cigar once in a while (even though the smell of them nauseates me) and smoking cigarettes. Cigars are not addicting because you don't inhale the smoke. Cigarettes are a drug, julst like any other drug - habit-forming, and those who smoke them have little control over their need for the nicotine. I know I didn't. It controlled almost every aspect of my life. It's like the difference between someone who is controlled by alcohol, and can't resist it, and someone who has a glass of wine once in a great while.

It is God's desire that we live healthy lives, and when we purposely go against God's will we have to pay a price. And in the case of smoking, it is a horrible, painful, suffering price.

God relieved me of my smoking habit in 1989. It has been almost 20 years and I've never stopped giving Him the glory and praise for bringing me out of that pit.

Do I think I would have gone to hell if I hadn't stopped smoking? No, but I know my Christian witness would not have been what it should be. How can I effectively witness to someone when they are smelling my controlling habit on my breath? And no one wanted to be around me when I was trying to quit on my own, and I turned into "the beast!"

My heart goes out to anyone who is struggling with this addiction. It is only through the power of God that we can be released from those things which control us. If we trust in Him and He'll always do what is best for us.

Many blessings to all.

[OrdainedLady]

This is an issue that has caused much discussion within the Body of Christ. I know God does no desire that we destroy ourselves, as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Thank God for His grace in our lives, as we continue to destroy ourselves with the food we eat (over-indulgence, additives and preservatives, insecticides, etc), the air we breathe (destroyed by emissions, etc.) and even the water we drink has so much added to it, it's not really pure water anymore. We are quickly wiping ourselves out by abusing ourselves and our environment. It's a true miracle that our body manages to keep going as long as it does.

Is smoking any worse than using hair spray, which is absorbed through the skin and hair follicles and also destroyes the Ozone? Is smoking any worse than over-eating? This country has a higher obesity rate than any country in the world. Is smoking any worse than destroying our air with emissions from cars, factories, etc.?

It is only by God's grace that our planet is still existing and not destroyed by our own stupidity. Amazing to me that even though we are better educated than ever before in history, we continue to do the same things and even worse to destroy ourselves.

If you consider the high cancer rate in this country, it should be obvious that we DO reap what we sow. Chemicals, constantly introduced into our bodies create conditions that should never exist.

I became very convicted about smoking when I got saved. God clearly let me know through conviction that I should not be smoking.

I looked up the notes on several passages regarding the body being the Temple of The Holy Spirit and here's what I found.

1 Cor. 3:16-17

"The Gr. word is "phrheiro" - to corrupt, spoil, ruin, waster, destroy. Trans. destroy in this verse; and to corrupt (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 7:2; 11:3; Rev. 19:2; Jude 10; Eph. 4:22) This (V. 17) is a solemn warning against sex sin, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, narcotics, etc. which destroy the body."

I think there is a difference between indulging in a cigar once in a while (even though the smell of them nauseates me) and smoking cigarettes. Cigars are not addicting because you don't inhale the smoke. Cigarettes are a drug, julst like any other drug - habit-forming, and those who smoke them have little control over their need for the nicotine. I know I didn't. It controlled almost every aspect of my life. It's like the difference between someone who is controlled by alcohol, and can't resist it, and someone who has a glass of wine once in a great while.

It is God's desire that we live healthy lives, and when we purposely go against God's will we have to pay a price. And in the case of smoking, it is a horrible, painful, suffering price.

God relieved me of my smoking habit in 1989. It has been almost 20 years and I've never stopped giving Him the glory and praise for bringing me out of that pit.

Do I think I would have gone to hell if I hadn't stopped smoking? No, but I know my Christian witness would not have been what it should be. How can I effectively witness to someone when they are smelling my controlling habit on my breath? And no one wanted to be around me when I was trying to quit on my own, and I turned into "the beast!"

My heart goes out to anyone who is struggling with this addiction. It is only through the power of God that we can be released from those things which control us. If we trust in Him and He'll always do what is best for us.

Many blessings to all.

This is the best post yet in this thread on smoking and the Christian. Good work!

[9Marksfan]

I have to blatantly disagree with this. The man I work for, he smokes cigars all day long. This messes with my sinuses in a bad way and causes me to feel unbearable pressure in my eyes because of it. I know that that may sound vision related, but it's not. It's a sinus problem.

Some others on this same crew smoke cigarettes. These cigarettes don't mess with my sinuses the way that the cigars do. I know that it's the cigars, because this man only started smoking them 7-8 months ago. Before that, he was chewing tobacco.

I'm not seeking to justify cigar smoking - but surely having your sinuses irritated just isn't in the same league as passive smoking, which is now medically proven to leave those affected at risk of contracting lung cancer. There is a UK-wide ban on smoking in public places a a result. So, while you may find the cigar smoking man more immediately annoying, it's the ciggie smoking guys who will damage your health more long term. I would raise both issues with your employer - you shouldn't have to work in that kind of nauseating and unhealthy environment.

I agree wholeheartedly with graceforme's post, although clearly we don't really have a great deal of personal control over our polluted atmosphere - unless we decide to go live in the country!

[graceforme]

This is the best post yet in this thread on smoking and the Christian. Good work!


Thank you and God Bless.

[divaD]

I'm not seeking to justify cigar smoking - but surely having your sinuses irritated just isn't in the same league as passive
smoking


Hi 9Marksfan, I know you weren't. I noted the "?" at the end of your statement regarding cigars and health issues. By the same token, I'm not suggesting that cigar smoke irritates everyone's sinuses that come in contact with it. I was just trying to make the point that while cigar smoke may seem harmless to most, there is always that exception.

And I agree, in the long run, it would be the cigarette smoke that would be the smoking demon so to speak, since it has been clinically proven that second hand smoke can cause cancer in those that don't even smoke.