Is Smoking A Sin?

[ChristianIssues]

Absolutely no one here is saying that smoking is good. No one is saying smoking is wise. The issue here is, Is it a sin?

Amen! The reason I wrote the article is because a Malawian Pastor told me that 'every' Christian in Malawi believes that smoking will send a person to hell. There is absolutely no clear cut proof of it and he was shocked when I challenged him on the matter.

I smoked for 30 years and went through hell on earth trying to quit. The Lord finally delivered me. I was either too weak or didn't have the self-control or whatever, but the Lord did it for me. He has no favourites and can do it for you smokers also. I wrote about it in an article I call The Power Of Sin. It is at http://www.christianissues.biz/thepowerofsin.html

God bless,
Mick

[Servant89]

You shouldn't judge people for being self-righteous, that would make you self-righteous.

It comes down to the heart. Today we know the damage smoking causes ourselves and our loved ones. The consequent most self-sacrificing, others-centered position is obvious.
If someone came here and criticized people for letting their kids play on the interstate, they would not be told to stop being self-righteous. But because of cultural attitudes and because it gives self-pleasure to smoke, it is viewed differently.

And that is a very good point, excellent point. I stand corrected. I am self righteouss indeed. I hope you have a good day.

Peace!

[mattlad22]

You're extrapolating way too much from that verse. In the context Jesus was talking about obeying the vain traditions of men -- religious traditions that placed great emphasis on outward rituals, such as washing the hands before eating. The Legalists of Christ's day had little regard for true religion which has to do with keeping one's heart clean, for example.



All bad analogies as pointed out previously. Air, water and food are necessities of life. Are addictions by choice necessities of life? How can being enslaved to something be good? How does feeding the addiction around children provide a good role model for them? How does an addiction glorify God?



No, it is weak. Very weak! Addictions are not necessities. We must eat to live. We must drink to live. We must breathe air to live? Are you saying we must be addicted to substances in order to live?



Badly misapplied scripture. Paul is talking about food and drink, not addictions to drugs or any other substances.



Also misapplied because Jesus was correcting serious errors regarding religious traditions of men that emphasized external rituals that also involved food.



The difference is very simple. Addictive substances don't equate with food. Also, addictive substances aren't necessary to maintain life, whereas food is. You're comparing apples to onions. Taking your line of reasoning to the logical conclusion, one could profess to be a Christian and be a full time doper, let's say addicted to marijuana in state where it's legal to smoke. Or one could profess to be a Christian and get hooked up with a sympathetic doctor who will keep him well supplied with legal substances that will keep him high 24/7, etc., etc.

Rufus

You missed the entire point of the post and scriptures and also applied your own understanding to the word of God.
Nothing, absolutely nothing is unclean of itself through the Lord, your faith shows that you dont believe that smoking is clean through the Lord Jesus Christ, that is your faith and i am not saying that for any other purpose than the clarity you display in your post's, you dont like people who smoke, you dont because you think smoking is unclean, but i tell you through my faith I KNOW that nothing from the outside defiles me but what comes from my inwardly outwards, do drugs/alchohol (like actual drugs/alchohol that change your thinking structure and your body capable functions) affect what comes out, yes it does, can it be managed? yes it can, i can easily drink a few beers or some rye ext and if the Lord leads me to prayer or a word, I speak it or i do it.

Smoking doesnt even affect your body in the same manner as pot or alchohol, for those who dont smoke, yeah some get a small headrush sometimes, (breath really fast for 30 secs deep and fast, lay down and get back up quickly, got a head rush?)
Now as i said, because you think it is bad, as if you were a vegetarian who thinks eating meat is bad, i would not smoke around you as it obviously offends you and your fruit displays your heart so dont tell me your not actually offended, I know you are through your post's. You dont like cigarettes and you dont like people who do smoke them, you dont have to like cigarrettes but refrain from how you feel about others because they do smoke, hypocrite.

I'm going to continue to smoke and my faith tells me theres nothing wrong with it, but to keep peace i would throw away, dispose of my cigarrette around another who displays unafection towards it, its doesnt mean its wrong, but i would be in the wrong to ignore this persons request, they could stumble and i could stumble in arrogance, so to keep peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit i would put it out, or refrain around them, but if i am not around someone whos faith determines it is bad, im going to continue to smoke because i know nothing that enters the body defiles it.

Now if you want to bring in the reasoning is science says smoking is bad through studies, guess what they say snake venom can kill you too, seems Paul had no probem with the outwardly coming inwardly through the Lord Jesus Christ, man of great faith through the Lord.

The exact same applies for food, as per the scriptures posted. The exact same method to bring peace applies also.

[Rufus]

You missed the entire point of the post and scriptures and also applied your own understanding to the word of God.
Nothing, absolutely nothing is unclean of itself through the Lord, your faith shows that you dont believe that smoking is clean through the Lord Jesus Christ, that is your faith and i am not saying that for any other purpose than the clarity you display in your post's, you dont like people who smoke, you dont because you think smoking is unclean, but i tell you through my faith I KNOW that nothing from the outside defiles me but what comes from my inwardly outwards, do drugs/alchohol (like actual drugs/alchohol that change your thinking structure and your body capable functions) affect what comes out, yes it does, can it be managed? yes it can, i can easily drink a few beers or some rye ext and if the Lord leads me to prayer or a word, I speak it or i do it.

Smoking doesnt even affect your body in the same manner as pot or alchohol, for those who dont smoke, yeah some get a small headrush sometimes, (breath really fast for 30 secs deep and fast, lay down and get back up quickly, got a head rush?)
Now as i said, because you think it is bad, as if you were a vegetarian who thinks eating meat is bad, i would not smoke around you as it obviously offends you and your fruit displays your heart so dont tell me your not actually offended, I know you are through your post's. You dont like cigarettes and you dont like people who do smoke them, you dont have to like cigarrettes but refrain from how you feel about others because they do smoke, hypocrite.

I'm going to continue to smoke and my faith tells me theres nothing wrong with it, but to keep peace i would throw away, dispose of my cigarrette around another who displays unafection towards it, its doesnt mean its wrong, but i would be in the wrong to ignore this persons request, they could stumble and i could stumble in arrogance, so to keep peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit i would put it out, or refrain around them, but if i am not around someone whos faith determines it is bad, im going to continue to smoke because i know nothing that enters the body defiles it.

Now if you want to bring in the reasoning is science says smoking is bad through studies, guess what they say snake venom can kill you too, seems Paul had no probem with the outwardly coming inwardly through the Lord Jesus Christ, man of great faith through the Lord.

The exact same applies for food, as per the scriptures posted. The exact same method to bring peace applies also.

My faith comes from the bible. My faith is based on the teaching of the sacred scriptures. "All scripture is profitable for teaching..." Yes, smoking to me is "unclean" because there's nothing good in it. And when there's nothing good in a behavior, then that means it's evil You have yet to answer any of my questions pertaining to why you think having a drug addiction is good. 'Can you tell me why a drug addiction is a fruitful deed of the Light? Can you tell me how a drug addiction can be good, while it tramples underfoot a fruit of the Spirit called "self-control"? Can you tell me how having a drug addiction is consistent with the command to "cling to what is good"? Can you tell me how a drug addiction is consistent with the command to abstain even from the mere appearance of evil? Can you tell me how you came to approve the excellence of a drug addiction in all real knowledge and discernment?

Also, why do you shift this conversation to me personally? You said above about me, that "you don't like people who smoke"..., trying to cast aspersion upon my character and question my motives for even posting here. (Has your smoking habit given you such keen insights into people's hearts?) The question was asked on the thread, so I take it that I have the same posting privileges as everyone else and can participate by offering my insights into scripture about why I think a thing is right or wrong. But I suppose if I come down on the wrong side of the issue from your perspective, then it's time to deflect arguing the issue based on its merits and shift the conversation to personal remarks and innuendos?

Also, some people who twist the teaching of Jesus on what defiles a man can take their reasoning to its logical end and justify all manner of drug abuse. There are indeed churches in the country (and all over the world for that matter) who believe marijuana is a "sacrament", for example, that believers should partake in often -- in fact, religiously, if you will. I have also known professing Christians who have justified hard drug abuse by appealing to the same scriptures you have.

If you wish to continue this exchange, please keep your personal assessments of my motives to yourself. I'll be happy to discuss the merits of a drug addiction in light of scriptural principles, but that's all.

Rufus

[Rufus]

Absolutely no one here is saying that smoking is good.

Then if it's not good, it must be evil; for the essence of evil is the absence of good. Therefore, why would you want to participate in the "unfruitful deeds of darkness"? Are not Christians supposed to be children of Light?

Eph 5:8-12
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
NASB

How can a behavior that is not good be pleasing to the Lord?

Rufus

[mattlad22]

My faith comes from the bible. My faith is based on the teaching of the sacred scriptures. "All scripture is profitable to teaching..." Yes, smoking to me is "unclean" because there's nothing good in it. And when there's nothing good in a behavior, then that means it's evil You have yet to answer any of my questions pertaining to why you think having a drug addiction is good. 'Can you tell me why a drug addiction is a fruitful deed of the Light? Can you tell me how a drug addiction can be good, while it tramples underfoot a fruit of the Spirit called "self-control"? Can you tell me how having a drug addiction is consistent with the command to "cling to what is good"? Can you tell me how a drug addiction is consistent with the command to abstain even from the mere appearance of evil? Can you tell me how you came to approve the excellence of a drug addiction in all real knowledge and discernment?

Also, why do you shift this conversation to me personally? You said above about me, that "you don't like people who smoke"..., trying to cast aspersion upon my character and question my motives for even posting here. (Has your smoking habit given you such keen insights into people's hearts?) The question was asked on the thread, so I take it that I have the same posting privileges as everyone else and can participate by offering my insights into scripture about why I think a thing is right or wrong. But I suppose if I come down on the wrong side of the issue from your perspective, then it's time to deflect arguing the issue based on its merits and shift the conversation to personal remarks?

Also, some people who twist the teaching of Jesus on what defiles a man can take their reasoning to its logical end and justify all manner of drug abuse. There are indeed churches in the country (and all over the world for that matter) who believe marijuana is a "sacrament", for example, that believers should partake in often -- in fact, religiously, if you will. I have also known professing Christians who have justified hard drug abuse by appealing to the same scriptures you have.

If you wish to continue this exchange, please keep your personal assessments of my motives to yourself. I'll be happy to discuss the merits of a drug addiction in light of scriptural principles, but that's all.

Rufus

Ive told you i dont think it is a drug addiction. You do. Now you will say, why dont you quit? and ill say, because i dont want to, i smoke, and then you'll say in your heart pfffft and that conversation will profit nothing.

I've addressed everything im going to regarding the isue, it is not a sin, it is prefered and not prefered by all different people as is food. My faith is as ive been saying and yours is as you've been saying, i have no problem with you saying it isnt right, but your self-righteousness about it while it is said all things are clean through the Lord and that it isnt what goes into the body that defiles it but what comes out from the inward body in the Word would correct your reasoning, i understand and have stated on several occasions exactly what i would do in your presence, yet you continue to say it is unpure, unclean and wrong, yet my faith through scripture confirms it is indeed not for me through the Lord.

Your trying to change my faith, while i am telling you dont, you have no right through the Word of God and that i would serve you by not doing so in your presence, yet will you serve me?

[Servant89]

Then if it's not good, it must be evil; for the essence of evil is the absence of good. Therefore, why would you want to participate in the "unfruitful deeds of darkness"? Are not Christians supposed to be children of Light?

Eph 5:8-12
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
NASB

How can a behavior that is not good be pleasing to the Lord?

Rufus

Are you ready to add to the Bible? Good luck with that.

Eating with unwashed hands brings cholera to third world countries. It brings many diseases. Yet Jesus proclaimed it was not a sin to eat with unwashed hands. Sin, by definition is breaking of God's law.

ROM 4:15 … for where no law is, there is no transgression.

1JO 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

ROM 5:13 … but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Is eating something with germs a sin?

Is farting a sin?

Is getting into an accident (which is not good) a sin?

Peace

[Rufus]

Are you ready to add to the Bible? Good luck with that.

Eating with unwashed hands brings cholera to third world countries. It brings many diseases. Yet Jesus proclaimed it was not a sin to eat with unwashed hands. Sin, by definition is breaking of God's law.

ROM 4:15 … for where no law is, there is no transgression.

1JO 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

ROM 5:13 … but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Is eating something with germs a sin?

Is farting a sin?

Is getting into an accident (which is not good) a sin?

Peace

And we're under the Law of Christ, don't you know?

1 Cor 9:21
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ,
NASB


And why do you refuse to address your behavior as a drug addiction and quit comparing it to eating dirty food or food with dirty hands, fingers, feet, toes, or whatever? You have already admitted that "smoking" is not good; therefore, it must be evil. There's no behavior in between good or evil. So how does that square with the Ephesians passage I quoted? Why do you participate in an unfruitful deed of darkness? Is participating in such deeds pleasing to God? Does it glorify God?

Rufus

[Rufus]

Ive told you i dont think it is a drug addiction. You do. Now you will say, why dont you quit? and ill say, because i dont want to, i smoke, and then you'll say in your heart pfffft and that conversation will profit nothing.

I've addressed everything im going to regarding the isue, it is not a sin, it is prefered and not prefered by all different people as is food. My faith is as ive been saying and yours is as you've been saying, i have no problem with you saying it isnt right, but your self-righteousness about it while it is said all things are clean through the Lord and that it isnt what goes into the body that defiles it but what comes out from the inward body in the Word would correct your reasoning, i understand and have stated on several occasions exactly what i would do in your presence, yet you continue to say it is unpure, unclean and wrong, yet my faith through scripture confirms it is indeed not for me through the Lord.

Your trying to change my faith, while i am telling you dont, you have no right through the Word of God and that i would serve you by not doing so in your presence, yet will you serve me?

You're in denial in order to justify your habit. It's been scientifically proven that nicotine is a highly addictive psychoactive drug that induces euphoria.

And I'm not out to "change your faith". But by your own admission, you have stated that it's not a good behavior? So, why should I not classify as it impure, unclean and wrong -- in fact, evil since it's not good? Is this what the Lord has called Christians to do: To participate in the unfruitful, evil deeds of darkness? This is what the Christian life is all about? But aren't Christians called to be holy as God is holy? It's no wonder then, we are even commanded to abstain from the mere appearance of evil, let alone actual evil (1Thes 5:22). And why do you hold fast to that which is not good?

1 Thess 5:21-22
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
KJV

[mattlad22]

You're in denial in order to justify your habit. It's been scientifically proven that nicotine is a highly addictive psychoactive drug that induces euphoria.

And I'm not out to "change your faith". But by your own admission, you have stated that it's not a good behavior? So, why should I not classify as it impure, unclean and wrong -- in fact, evil since it's not good? Is this what the Lord has called Christians to do: To participate in the unfruitful, evil deeds of darkness? This is what the Christian life is all about? But aren't Christians called to be holy as God is holy? It's no wonder then, we are even commanded to abstain from the mere appearance of evil, let alone actual evil (1Thes 5:22). And why do you hold fast to that which is not good?

1 Thess 5:21-22
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
KJV

No im not in denial, ive told you several times, there is nothing about smoking that defiles me that i take into my body through the Lord Jesus Christ. For you it is different.

Rufus you think it is, i dont, thats what your not understanding, and your trying to imply that i understand it the way you do because my undersatanding is wrong, when it isnt, neither of us are it is simply determined through faith.
You veiw it as evil, unclean and unfruitful.
I dont, i veiw it as nothing is unclean through the Lord and that what enters my mouth does not defile me, what exits doe because it is from the heart.
Eating meat and being a vegetarian applies the same way, celebrating one day for you and me not doing so applies the same way, check out Romans 14.

I'll tell you again, if i was around you rufus i would not smoke so you would not stumble. I would abstain from all appearance of evil, because i would be avoiding causing you to stumble. You dont understand that.

[ProDeo]

And the really sad thing is that even Christians -- even true born again believers -- can easily deceive themselves into believing that something is good when it is really evil. They will rationalize a behavior until the cows come home. I have already touched on several principles that an honest Christian should serious consider in the Word. And I was only scratching the surface! There are several more I could easily think of, also.

I have made it a habit before I start a rant on my brothers and sisters to re-read Luke 6:41-42 first.

[Servant89]

And we're under the Law of Christ, don't you know?

1 Cor 9:21
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ,
NASB


And why do you refuse to address your behavior as a drug addiction and quit comparing it to eating dirty food or food with dirty hands, fingers, feet, toes, or whatever? You have already admitted that "smoking" is not good; therefore, it must be evil. There's no behavior in between good or evil. So how does that square with the Ephesians passage I quoted? Why do you participate in an unfruitful deed of darkness? Is participating in such deeds pleasing to God? Does it glorify God?

Rufus

I stink. I do not please God like you do. I do not glorify God like you do. I am not righteous like you are. But I do not smoke.

I am having a good day today.

Peace

[Servant89]

And why do you refuse to address your behavior as a drug addiction and quit comparing it to eating dirty food or food with dirty hands, fingers, feet, toes, or whatever? Why do you participate in an unfruitful deed of darkness? Is participating in such deeds pleasing to God? Does it glorify God?
Rufus

And that is the reason why I rather go fishing with smokers ... for they will never talk to me like that.

Peace

[RollTide21]

You missed the entire point of the post and scriptures and also applied your own understanding to the word of God.
Nothing, absolutely nothing is unclean of itself through the Lord, your faith shows that you dont believe that smoking is clean through the Lord Jesus Christ, that is your faith and i am not saying that for any other purpose than the clarity you display in your post's, you dont like people who smoke, you dont because you think smoking is unclean, but i tell you through my faith I KNOW that nothing from the outside defiles me but what comes from my inwardly outwards, do drugs/alchohol (like actual drugs/alchohol that change your thinking structure and your body capable functions) affect what comes out, yes it does, can it be managed? yes it can, i can easily drink a few beers or some rye ext and if the Lord leads me to prayer or a word, I speak it or i do it.

Smoking doesnt even affect your body in the same manner as pot or alchohol, for those who dont smoke, yeah some get a small headrush sometimes, (breath really fast for 30 secs deep and fast, lay down and get back up quickly, got a head rush?)
Now as i said, because you think it is bad, as if you were a vegetarian who thinks eating meat is bad, i would not smoke around you as it obviously offends you and your fruit displays your heart so dont tell me your not actually offended, I know you are through your post's. You dont like cigarettes and you dont like people who do smoke them, you dont have to like cigarrettes but refrain from how you feel about others because they do smoke, hypocrite.

I'm going to continue to smoke and my faith tells me theres nothing wrong with it, but to keep peace i would throw away, dispose of my cigarrette around another who displays unafection towards it, its doesnt mean its wrong, but i would be in the wrong to ignore this persons request, they could stumble and i could stumble in arrogance, so to keep peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit i would put it out, or refrain around them, but if i am not around someone whos faith determines it is bad, im going to continue to smoke because i know nothing that enters the body defiles it.

Now if you want to bring in the reasoning is science says smoking is bad through studies, guess what they say snake venom can kill you too, seems Paul had no probem with the outwardly coming inwardly through the Lord Jesus Christ, man of great faith through the Lord.

The exact same applies for food, as per the scriptures posted. The exact same method to bring peace applies also.

Here is my take:

The Lord doesn't want you to be addicted to cigarettes. Having an addiction is not in keeping step with the Holy Spirit. It's just not. However, my guess is that He just hasn't seen fit to deal with you on that particular issue just yet. Maybe there is another area of your life He is working on and molding. I don't know. I refuse to believe, however, that God is OK with a smoking addiction.

By the way, I am a current, regular smokeless tobacco user. I'm in the same boat you are. I have grown more Spiritually in the last 2 years than I ever have in my life. The Lord has delivered me from a lot and I have grown more and more mature in the Faith. I've been using snuff the entire time. It's simply not something He has laid on my heart to stop. Well...that's not entirely true, because I do believe in my heart that it is displeasing to Him to have this addiction. But...I think His Will for me is more about growing in Him right now and He is leading me accordingly.

[mattlad22]

Here is my take:

The Lord doesn't want you to be addicted to cigarettes. Having an addiction is not in keeping step with the Holy Spirit. It's just not. However, my guess is that He just hasn't seen fit to deal with you on that particular issue just yet. Maybe there is another area of your life He is working on and molding. I don't know. I refuse to believe, however, that God is OK with a smoking addiction.

By the way, I am a current, regular smokeless tobacco user. I'm in the same boat you are. I have grown more Spiritually in the last 2 years than I ever have in my life. The Lord has delivered me from a lot and I have grown more and more mature in the Faith. I've been using snuff the entire time. It's simply not something He has laid on my heart to stop. Well...that's not entirely true, because I do believe in my heart that it is displeasing to Him to have this addiction. But...I think His Will for me is more about growing in Him right now and He is leading me accordingly.

Ok, i know that for you when its time for you to stop you will.
For me as you said it isnt, the only reason i will quit later on is if i go into a relationship with a woman who desires that i do because of reasons those of you who do think its bad have stated, but for me, i %100 know that it isnt displeasing to the Lord because i hold full faith in knowing that it isnt unclean through the Lord Jesus Christ, i knowthat what comes into my mouth and enters my body holds nothing on me to displease the Lord, but what exits my body towards others and myself from my heart is where the Lord is pleased.