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.

[ChristianIssues]

The verses used to support smoking a sin are misinterpreted. 1 Cor. 3:16-17 are not saying that God will destroy people who destroy their bodies but that God will destroy those who destroy His church. The following is a bit long but it is not easy to explain in a few words. This is an article of mine and is at http://www.christianissues.biz/misce...s.html#smoking

Is Smoking A Hell Deserving Sin?
1Co 3:16-17 say, “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple”. Some Christians say that these verses mean that people who smoke tobacco will end up in hell because they are destroying God's temple. If that was true then we would have to tell a person who is fat from overeating that they are heading for hell too because being overweight is also bad for our health. When 1 Cor. 3 is examined closely it will be found that these verses are not saying that God will destroy people who destroy their bodies but rather that He will destroy people who destroy His church.

1 Cor. 1:11-13 and 1 Cor. 3:1-8 tell us that the Corinthians were fighting about which man they should follow. Paul said that they should follow Jesus rather than follow men like himself or Apollos. He goes on to say that they were just servants with God-given tasks; one man plants, another waters but God makes things grow and each man will be rewarded according to his own labour. Then in 1 Cor. 3:9-11 he says that we Christians are God's building and that he has laid a foundation as an expert builder and each of us must be careful how we build on that foundation, which is Jesus Christ.

Then 1 Cor. 3:12-15 talk about how we build the church and warn that fire will test the quality of each man's work. The verses say that we can -
a) Build with gold, silver or costly stones and receive our reward or
b) Build with wood, hay or straw and, although we will still be saved, our work will be burned up.
Building with gold, silver or costly stones represent good leadership and sound doctrine while wood, hay and straw represent poor leadership and unsound doctrine.

So far, the chapter has spoken about building the church with good or poor leadership but there can also be bad leadership which destroys a church. Back in 1 Cor. 3:9, we Christians were referred to as God's building and 1 Cor. 3:16-17 continue with that picture, calling us God's Temple - “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you [plural] are that temple”. God's temple is referring to the church, not individuals. When these verses are taken in the context of building the church, we see that they are saying that God will destroy bad leaders who destroy His church rather than build it up.

From this we can see that 1 Cor. 3:16-17 is not referring to destroying our body but to destroying the church. 1 Cor. 3:18 to 1 Cor. 4:6 continue on to further warn us not to follow the wisdom of men and in 1 Cor. 4:6 we are told, “Do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over against another”. So, if we follow what is written and not follow men then we will build well and not be corrupted by false teaching which will destroy a church.

So, we can see that this chapter is telling us to be careful how we build and to build on the foundation of Jesus because our rewards will be according to the way we build.
If we build well then we will be rewarded.
If we build poorly then we will still be saved but lose our rewards.
If anyone destroys the church then they will be destroyed.

If we take 1 Cor. 3:16-17 out of context and tell a smoker that he is going to hell then we ourselves will be guilty of poor doctrine. Also, the smoker may have little faith and poor self-control and what we say may destroy the little faith he has. Feeling hopelessly lost, he may turn to wine, women and song … which will certainly lead him to hell.

There is no doubt that smoking is bad for our health and people are in bondage to it but nowhere does the Bible say that smokers will go to hell. When the Bible is silent on something then we should be also but of course smokers should be encouraged to quit the habit.

God bless,
Mick

[Servant89]

No, smoking is not a sin. Sin is the breaking of God's law. There is no verse that says that smoking is a sin.

When people teach as doctrines commandments of men, they are taking the place of God. We should be afraid of teaching as doctrines, commmandments of men. If I go to preach to native americans, and they tell me that before preaching I have to smoke the pipe of peace with them... in order not to offend them.... I will for sure smoke it.

Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man (that includes smoke), that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

But I do not want my kids to smoke because it is outrageously stupid.

Peace

[-SEEKING-]

Is Smoking A Sin?

No.

Is it wise?

No.

[awestruckchild]

No, smoking is not a sin. Sin is the breaking of God's law. There is no verse that says that smoking is a sin.

When people teach as doctrines commandments of men, they are taking the place of God. We should be afraid of teaching as doctrines, commmandments of men. If I go to preach to native americans, and they tell me that before preaching I have to smoke the pipe of peace with them... in order not to offend them.... I will for sure smoke it.

Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man (that includes smoke), that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

But I do not want my kids to smoke because it is outrageously stupid.

Peace

Hi servant!

Another verse I believe is applicable: All things are lawful for me but not all things are profitable for me.