Christians & Smoking
A short while after our church first began, back when there were only 100 of us or so, a young guy walked up to me after church and asked me, almost in a whisper, “what do you guys believe about smoking? Is it okay to smoke in this church?” I laughed a little, not because it was a stupid question but because the church had people from such a great diversity of backgrounds. We had heaps of ex-Catholics, a core of ex-Charismatics, a few long-time Southern Baptists and so on. I told him I had no idea what the general consensus was but that I’m sure as long as he smoked outside no one would care.
I know lots of Christians who smoke and it has never really caused me to examine the idea of a conflict between that action (or addiction) and their faith. I guess for some people this is a real stumbling block. Some people seem to think that those who smoke reveal something about their faith.
Christianity Today has a small article that provides the usual arguments.
- Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, so be careful what we put in our bodies.
- Smoking is an addiction and Christians are to guard against addictions.
- Smoking has many harmful effects and can often lead to other addictions.
These are all rational arguments. Another common argument to add to that list is that God provides our finances and we are told to use them carefully.
All of these arguments are well and good, but they all have other sides to them. Yes, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, but how much worse is it to put smoke (and all it carries with it) into our bodies than it is to gorge ourselves on junk food? Judging by the lineup at the coffee table on Sunday mornings I would say that there are far more Christians addicted to caffeine than there are to nicotine. Sure smoking has lots of harmful effects, but so does overeating or eating the wrong things. God provides us money, but how often do we use it to buy things we don’t really need?
I guess it seems to me that the arguments used against smoking are usually quite inconsistent. I see the logic behind them, but those same principles seem to fail when they are extended to the rest of the Christian life.
I hate smoking. I hate the smell of it and I especially hate seeing cigarette butts lying on the ground outside buildings. But I don’t presume to think that I can tell the first thing about a person’s spiritual condition by the fact that they smoke.
Comments (30) »
1. Jesse
May 23, 2004
4:31 PM
What about other drugs (at least where they’re legal)?
2. Doug
May 23, 2004
11:31 PM
It seems to me the Pharisees were experts at condemning one act and then performing other acts that were much worse, but were not spelled out in the law as clearly.
I wore sandals to church with cargo pants and a golf-shirt (no tie). Does that make me guilty of not respecting the church? Of course not, but there are those who believe a suit and tie should be mandatory.
The best religious reason I can think of why a Christian would stop smoking is to avoid harming the faith of another person. My reference to that is 1 Corinthians 8.
3. Tim Challies
May 24, 2004
6:45 AM
Doug,
I think that is a somewhat valid argument - though perhaps quitting would not be necessary if you simply avoided smoking when that person was there.
Another valid argument is that smoking harms other people (especially kids), though I think a lot of smokers these days know not to smoke around their children.
4. Anthony
May 24, 2004
11:34 AM
As a smoker and a Christian I recognize many valid arguments for not smoking, though not the normal arguments as given. I recognize no argument that smoking, in and of itself, is sinful.
Yes it is, and here Paul is speaking about sexual immorality and not defiling your body by joining it to a prostitute’s. Taking this verse and applying it to smoking, drinking, etc. is taking the verse totally out of context and making it violate other scripture simply to condem the thing I wish to argue against. Jesus told the Pharisees that it wasn’t what went into the mouth that defiled a man, but what came out of it.
That’s true, anything which enslaves us or our passions can be dangerous if that thing is not Christ-centered. My daily goal in life is to live more in God’s will and less in my will every day. To the extent that anything hinders that goal then it is dangerous, though not necessarily sinful.
Life is fatal, no one gets out alive. Seriously, the argument that smoking is sinful because its bad for your body doesn’t wash. The wonderful medical practice of bleeding was cutting edge (forgive the pun) for hundreds of years. Unknown numbers died because of it. It was always harmful. Did those who practice it sin? Or is it only sinful if you know its harmful (not a valid argument bu beyond the scope of my comment). There is no evidence, medical, statistical, or otherwise that smoking leads to other addictions.
When I do something which causes my brother to stumble, I have sinned. Not because of what I did, which may or may not be sinful in and of itself, but because of the pride and self-will in my heart which put my desires over my brother’s wellfare.
Smoking may not be wise; but christians are supposed to grow in wisdom. Full measures of it are not handed to us when we are saved, getting it is a life-long process that the Spirit helps us with. When we take the things we dislike and brand them ‘sinful’ apart from the word of God, we steal God’s authority and forget our place.
Yes, smoking is stupid, but its not (IMHO) sinful. It is surely addictive and I’m trying to quit (keep me in your prayers), but if smoking were the worst thing I were to ever do, I would be a very happy camper.
5. Doug
May 24, 2004
3:37 PM
Check out http://www.lungusa.org/ This is the site of the American Lung Association. There is a free interactive program called Freedom From Smoking (often referred to as FFS) inside there with support forums and a step-by-step guide to meet that commitment.
6. Reid
May 25, 2004
12:31 AM
I would say that if someone was smoking a cigarette outside of our church here in Minnesota, that almost every single person walking into that church would potentially judge that person and look at him differently… sad but true.
7. Phoenix
May 26, 2004
5:44 AM
heh. maybe everyone should take a page from the late Kenneth E. Hagin, who told a smoker to thank God (honest! he was to do it sincerely) for each time he smoked. the man quit within a week! he said something about feeling very uncomfy. i guess that’s God’s perspective on smoking, eh? :D
agreeing with Reid. that’s a major reason people don’t want to be Christian. we’re more used to attacking each other than the devil.
“me a Christian? heck no! that’ll mean God, the devil and the Church all having a go @ me. no thanks, i’ll pass!”
8. Anthony
May 26, 2004
10:13 AM
I once knew a very dedicated preacher who got cancer of the larnyx (he was not a smoker). After surgery, the doctor told him to start smoking because it would help tighten his vocal cords and help him get his voice back sooner. He did as told and finally quit years later.
9. Ashamed
May 26, 2004
8:28 PM
Anthony, I agree, I had 5 Krispy Kremes today and another 7 are sitting on the counter talking to me. Maybe I should take up smoking! I’m praying that I will do better, but in the mean time, I don’t see where it comes between me and God. My weaknesses just make me know just how much I need him.
10. Anthony
May 27, 2004
1:04 PM
Lol Ashamed, 2 of my 3 greates weaknesses - food and cigarettes. Many medical professionals now say that being 20 pounds overweight is worse for you than being a smoker. I’m both, Ack!
11. Jerry
June 20, 2004
12:59 PM
I’m a Christian, and I smoke a pipe. I find cigarette smoke to be nasty, but that’s just my personal taste. The aromatic smells and flavors of a good pipe on the other hand….mmm. Relaxing. Spurgeon’s love of fine cigars is quite legendary. I believe that tobacco is a thing indifferent, which may be used in moderation for the glory of God, or which may be obstained from for the glory of God. All things in moderation, all things for the glory of God. Good post, thank you!
12. Joseph
August 24, 2004
7:16 AM
A christian and a smoker as well. I am quitting though, just because living in the “light” haunts me. My innermost desire wants me to quit. I understand that the devil does blind us of what we really need and want. I usually resort to smoking in the car, on my own, in secret behind other christians and non-christians as well. My reason of smoking is simply because of bordom and its truly a calming substance. It even makes me think more clearly. It’s hard to realize that it is the work of the devil that makes me think that smoking would help me rather than harm me. It’s weird cause i would take a couple of cigarettes then feel guilty after doing so and throw away my pack. After a day or two, i go out and buy another pack. it’s a wierd delima but i’m sure you smokers out there know what i’m feeling. The key is now, how do we step out of the boundaries of this addiction? Sure my body is a temple, but i think the key is a Christian life is a life in the “Light”, where not only it is a moral definition, but a Christian life is a life of complete exposure, boldness, and honesty. How i see it is, if you can’t smoke in front of another Christian, then you can’t smoke anywhere else. Or even imagine yourself smoking inside of Church….during Praise and Worship… If we believe for sure that Smoking is an innocent act, i challenge us to smoke in front of a child, in church, in front of a pastor, and in front of everyone. Imagine walking on the way to heaven puffing a cigarette. Although to some it may be really cool, there is something wrong with that picture. Living in light is probably the scariest idea but the truth. I don’t want to be exposed in all my doings. I’m sure God is counting every cigarette puff. What’s important to our Lord is our lives and our willingness to neglect our physical desires so that we can represent ourselves as a true ambassador of Christ. If and only if cigarettes can shame us of being a christian, we shouldn’t do it. If cigarettes cause us or others to stray, we shouldn’t do it. And if cigarettes harm us and others, we shouldn’t do it.
I struggled and prayed all the time “Lord please guide me to path without addiction especially with smoking.” It didn’t work. But i realized that i didn’t take the steps of true decipleship. I was missing the steps: the “desire to come to him, deny ourselves, take our cross, and follow him”. I believe as we come to him, and slowly deny our lives, God will fill that void of unnessessary acts to something beneficial to us and others and glorifying.
Living in Light. No secrets can be kept from God.
13. Joshua
September 23, 2004
2:03 PM
I do not think that we can justify smoking by pointing out other things that Christians do that are harmful to the body or wasteful to their money. Pot calling the kettle black. However I do agree with you, but we should stop pointing fingures and all start eatting right and spending our money right.
14. Lee
January 21, 2006
10:05 AM
I’m a smoker and I love the Lord. I’ve never been able to see an inconsistency between the two. My self-serving argument has always been that smoking is not a sin - that God cares about your heart. I’ve used the scripture where Jesus says “nothing you put into your body can make you unclean…only the words that come out of your mouth can make you unclean… (my paraphrase). My rationalizations have served me and my addiction well over the last few years…until my recent decision to quit, that is.
Now that I’ve experienced first hand the difficulties associated with quitting, I’ve changed my tune. I find that in the morning, I can’t pray ordirect my attention to the Lord because I can’t stop thinking about that first cigarette (idolatry). So I have that first cigarette, telling myself that I can give my attention to the Lord after I’ve satisfied my addiction. That first failure of the day, however, sets up a shame spiral that haunts me the rest of the day. I go to bed giving my cigarettes and my addiction to the Lord and wake up breaking my vow. I want to quit, but I can’t seem to do it (concupiscence).
The truth is, addiction is so damaging on so many levels. Physically - duh. Emotionally/psychologically - the classic guilt/shame spirals that come from the repeated cycle of trying to quit and failing. Spiritually - running to cigarettes instead of running to the Lord during times of stress. I have found that my smoking violates basic spiritual principles, ie. a house divided against itself will fall into ruin. Selfishness and unselfishness can’t exist in the same place at the same time. Addictions are selfish and unselfishness is the first requirement of descipleship. How can you love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength if your heart, mind, soul and strength are devoted to your addiction? How can you love your neighbor as yourself when you show contempt for yourself by repeatedly filling your lungs with over 4000 chemicals (nicotine itself is in the same family of chemicals as arsenic and strychnine and more deadly).
Anyway, these are the principles I’m finding at work in myself. I was blind to the negative impact smoking was having on my life until I actually began the process of quitting.
Well, gotta go - I need a cigarette before I can begin my devotions…
15. Lee
January 21, 2006
12:23 PM
Oh, my. There are two Lee’s out here. Now what do I do?? I’m the one who’s been posting over in “End of the Spear”.
I don’t smoke!!! From now on, I guess I’ll need to change the way I’ve been signing off.
God Bless, Fresh Air Lee
16. Lee2
January 21, 2006
1:46 PM
Lee - Please don’t change your name - I’ll change mine (this was my first post).
Anyway, I am starting to come to terms with the fact that the only way I’m going to be able to quit is to put it into God’s hands and trust Him completely. It is a blow to my ego to realize just how powerless I am over it…
I challenge any Christian smoker out there to go a day or two without smoking just to find out what kind of impact smoking really has on his/her spiritual life. The average smoker thinks about cigarettes every twenty minutes. The average smoker smokes when they’re hungry instead of eating, when they’re tired instead of sleeping, when they’re bored instead of praying…
It’s not just a bad habit - it’s a powerful addiction and its insidious the way it takes over people’s lives. I never understood that before, because I always enjoyed smoking, but denial ain’t a river in Egypt. 20% of people who kick the heroin habit are still clean a year later. Only 5%-6% of people who kick the nicotine habit are still clean a year later - that’s what a powerful addiction it is.
Anything that has the potential to take the place of God in one’s life has the potential to become a serious sin. Not to mention - what kind of message does it send to those who look up to us?
God Bless, Lee2
17. Tim T
January 21, 2006
2:49 PM
When I was a child my Father told me that this passage was proof that smoking was a sin, I’m still not quite sure why.
Isaiah 6 (New American Standard Bible)
4And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
5Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
I even checked the KJV and still am puzzled. For this reason it didn’t stop me from trying smoking. But the fact that it made me sick did, and it did not give me more energy. Maybe I should have stuck to it. I’m sure there is a verse about that or at least a kitty poster encouraging me to hang in there.
18. Lee
January 21, 2006
7:33 PM
Lee2,
I am praying that God will do an amazing thing in your life and make kicking the habit easier. If you haven’t already tried, your doctor may be able to assist you.
I hope you post more - you are honest, and a very good writer.
God Bless, Lee (the other one)
19. Steve B
February 6, 2006
3:51 PM
Wow, what a great topic, and thoughts by all.
I am a Christian, and I truly love Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I too smoke cigarettes. What frustrates me is that Jesus died for our sins, and He said, Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
We all fall short in many ways, in our lives, our habits, etc. How about watching TV, anybody buy too many clothes, stuffed there face lately. Anyone have an addiction to any of those? Does a large person in church, or of Christ, deserve any less respect, and love because they are falling short of the Glory of God. None of us reach perfection on this earth. The only perfect One is Christ.
My points are a couple. We are to love one another as Christ loved us. Hard to do, but really worth praying and striving toward. I should be “allowed” to smoke right out in front of the church, and those seeing me should pray for me rather than condemn me. Be my friend, talk with me about smoking, and helping me through this by The Grace of God, that I do quit some day, but until then don’t throw me out, as some piece of trash, and turning their back on me.
I do love those who struggle with many addictions, which are too numerous to count. Even Paul, said, I’m paraphasing, I do not do what I want to do, and that which I want to do. I do not do. Sounds like each of us who struggle with anything that hampers our walk with Christ.
I pray that God will give me the strength to quit. Because it, them, the cigs, have a strong grip on me. Addiction.
Anyway, to all those who are writting in this. God Bless you for your trials in Christ. Your trials to keep The Faith.
Struggling with that darned addiction.
Steve
20. lisa
February 7, 2006
3:28 PM
WOW- I am so in Love with the Lord and I am on my first day of quitting. PTL
I have tried to quit now for over a year on and off. Lee2 and Steve spoke all the words I felt on the issue of trying to quit, and I also feel satan is using this addiction as a device to take me away from the Lord. I pray I am completely delivered from smoking in Jesus Name.
God Bless and Prayers for all who are trying to quit. Lisa
21. Jordan
February 28, 2006
4:18 PM
I had smoked for about 15 years and could never experience the true love of God until i quit. It was not easy for me to give it up. It wasn’t until i was determined to deny myself the” pleasure?” of smoking that i was able to quit. I must have tried to quit at least 20 times be i eventually gave it up. But i never gave up trying until i quit. When i did, i felt much better about myself and could talk to God without any guilt. Also, i have learned to depend on God for everyting even to quench the urge to smoke. I encourage everyone who smokes to never give trying to quit. You can do it. God has a great reward for you if you do!
22. Jordan
February 28, 2006
4:20 PM
I had smoked for about 15 years and could never experience the true love of God until i quit. It was not easy for me to give it up. It wasn’t until i was determined to deny myself the” pleasure?” of smoking that i was able to quit. I must have tried to quit at least 20 times before i eventually gave it up. But i never gave up trying until i quit. When i did, i felt much better about myself and could talk to God without any guilt. Also, i have learned to depend on God for everyting even to quench the urge to smoke. I encourage everyone who smokes to never give trying to quit. You can do it. God has a great reward for you if you do!
23. philip
February 28, 2006
7:37 PM
On Feb. 10, 2000 the Lord Jesus Christ delivered me from some 25 ys of alcohol addiction. At that time I was homeless, hungry, spiritualy dead and physicaly probrably not that far behind. Every spare cent I could beg, borrow, or steal went towards alcohol. I was also addicted to other drugs, nicotine being one of them. My source of nicotine was primarily the discards of other smokers. That is to say that I picked butts up off the ground and retrieved butts from ashtrays throughout the city. Sometimes, due to the persistant Vancouver Island winter rains these butts would be too soggy to light and I would resort to using the microwave oven at the local soup kitchen to dry them out . On that night in Feb. through the magnificent and munificent Grace of God I received Salvation. Instantly I recognized this as a gift from God and the desire to drink was removed. I continued to smoke however. My source of cigarettes now became the charitable contributions of those that frequented the local twelve step program and for service work I offered to clean up after the meetings and empty the ashtrays (wink,wink). From the outset I realized that, unlike others I did not struggle with being without booze. I wondered if God could or would do the same for my nicotine addiction. One night I got on my knees and prayed that God would help me deal with the withdrawls that I was quite sure would follow.( I tried to quit many times in the past) Before I could finish my prayer I was overcome with an astoundingly beautiful event that culminated with an ‘oilly, putrid and digusting essence’ being pulled from my innermost being and swirlled up through the air. I knew this was my nicotine addiction. Praise God!! As they say around here (and I heartily concur) Soli Deo Gloria ,the Glory is Gods’ alone. I’m sorry if some find this testimony too lengthly for this space but I ‘m convicted that it is my small part to play in what I consider to be a true miracle of God. That is ‘That victory over my difficulties may bare witness to those that may be availed to His Love, His Power, His way of Life. What was seemingly impossible for me was well within Gods’ realm. With God ALL things ARE possible. I don’t know if it is Gods will that others smoke.I just know that it was His will that I don’t smoke.Or do cocaine , pot, or booze.
Yours in Christ the Great Redeemer. philip
24. CamelJoe
February 28, 2006
8:09 PM
Well, I to smoke…..and I am a new Christian ( Nov. 20th 2005 ) was Catholic…..Does that mean my new faith is any less then yours…… NO
Yes smoking is a sin if it does take away from God………. But you can say the same about food or coffee. I know so many people that say , wow I cant think until I have my coffee, or all they do is think about eating. So I guess thats a sin to….Jesus did say “man does not live on bread alone” right? If we look at anything we do Work Play sports Take really good care of our selves Type on the computer watch TV or a good movie or if your to sick to go to church
Then we are sining all the time because we are not thinking of GOD……100% of the time
God himself created all things on earth for us to use and enjoy..He knows we have to live out our mortal lives before we go to him….Including the people who made what we use….
To over induldge in anything is a sin when you put it before GOD but in moderation it is not…..If you use pot for medical reasons its ok but not to relax ( althouh I do not condone drug use at all ) But its ok to drink wine to relax just not get drunk The bible says that to about drinking, its ok as long as we dont over do it…so the same should go for everything…. no one should work more then 40hrs a week ever or they are sining We can not pick and chose what we as christians think is a sin or not, we are not God and no where in the Bible does it say that we can…. Just like anything else The Bible plainly states what are sins, and what not to do and none of the above are on it…. except to over indulge…. Plus someone who has an adiction to something is not a sinner, they are sick and in need of help not judgement put on them… Because if you call yourself a Christian and would not help an alcohalic get back on his feet or find them help, just say well they are a sinner and I wont talk to them or help them, just sit there and judge them and tell them they are a sinner…Then you are the one who is a sinner in the highest…. Help , Love and take care of each other and give thanks to God is what we are told by Jesus….
This reminds me of a message I heard from a Pastor about how we think God wants us to speak for him…. The biggest goof most people make is that they put the wise men in the manger…..It was the SHEPHERDS that saw Jesus in the manger the wise men did not get there until Jesus was a young child, they say around the age of 2 that’s why King Herod had all children 2 and under killed….. Read that chapter you will see that when he was in the manger he was called the babe and when the wise men get there he was a young child also the wise men came to the house…..not the manger, it never talks about the manger in the bible when the wise men get there
The other big goof is that there was three wise men the bible does not say three, so someone thought he had to speak for God and say three because there was three types of gifts….what if 1 wise men gave frankincense and gold the other gave myrrh…..
What if 12 wise men came and 10 had gold…..that would still be 3 types of gifts We dont know the bible dont say……The bible says wise men, plural meaning 2 or more. So neither should we say what God means….its all writen out for us…. We dont need to twist it to say this is what God ment by three gifts or that this is a sin because its bad for you…because sometimes even to much of a good thing can be bad for you…
This is why I stoped being Catholic because the Fathers they told us what was right and wrong.. But not from the words of God…it was there own words and what they thought was right and wrong…. Dont get me wrong here I love being a christian….Have never been happier my life is getting better every day and soon with GOD’S help I wont smoke anymore either….but until then I wont let it stop me from going to Church 2 or 3 time a week or from my prayers.When i am around my Christian friends or non christian friends that dont smoke , I dont either. I dont smoke at church. i smoke when I can where i can, and when I feel like it. that dont make me a sinner and like someone else posted if thats the worst thing I do, I know I wont be burning in hell…God knows I am far to week minded to quit on my own.. He will answer my prayers about quiting soon enough if he wants me to….
Thanks for taking time to read this and I hope everyone will stop being a judge of who’s a sinner or not. As Jesus siad “Judge not, That you not be judged” and Dont take Gods words and twist them to what you dont like, that others do…Bless them and try to help them in a friendly loving manner….. Because , There is only one man who can judge who is a sinner or not… That is our HEAVENLY FATHER
God Bless you all
25. Mike
February 28, 2006
10:59 PM
Wow…… So many words, so little content! :-)
Anyway….I will disagree with you CamelJoe……We are all sinners….how about that for “judgmental?”
You have misrepresented so much it is hard to know where to begin. Do you really think that your usage above of “judge not that ye be not judged” is correct?
26. CamelJoe
March 1, 2006
1:29 AM
25) A COMMENT BY Mike: Wow…… So many words, so little content! :-)
Anyway….I will disagree with you CamelJoe……We are all sinners….how about that for “judgmental?”
You have misrepresented so much it is hard to know where to begin. Do you really think that your usage above of “judge not that ye be not judged” is correct?Yes I know we are all sinners and fall way short of God ! thats why my last post I said we are sinning all the time because you can take everything that we do, except going to church, praying and helping someone learn the word of God, as a sin… I dont think that’s true… If it was then no real christain would work or execise, take there family on vacation, or anything… But if you think that because I smoke instead of eating a doughnut , or watching tv , or maybe playing football with my time is more of a sin. Then yes you are Judgemental to others…and that to is a sin. Where in the bible does it say smoking is a sin. I have not read the whole bible yet so maybe I did not get to that part. ( Galatians 5:19-21 )
My point is dont say that someone who smokes does not believe, and has less faith then you. So yeah its correct. Dont judge me to be less faithful then you, you sin just as I do, and to tell me that what I am doing is worse because it can kill me someday, does not make it right. A sin is a sin. no one sin is better then the other… Judge yourself and be free of sin before you tell me whats a sin or not.( Matthew 7: 1-5 ) People judge someone because they smoke and say well he must not really believe or he would not do that.
Just like you said we are all sinners. We all end up doing something wrong, does Jesus Judge us, no he forgives us and with his guidence hopefuly we wont do that again and learn to live a better life.. Do you really think smoking is a sin Mike? Smoking sure aint the best thing for you. But I can think of tons of Jobs and other things people do that are just as dangerous as smoking.. Its just that more people smoke then do those jobs. But percentage wise they are just as bad for you. So I guess the guy’s or lady’s that do those jobs are sinning to then….. You see how easy it is to take something and turn it around.I dont support smoking , I my self am trying to quit, not only for me but my family as well. Even though I dont smoke around them…
So you said there was alot wrong with my last post…What else have I misrepresented.. because I am still kind of a new christain and learning so maybe you can help me here, where else do you think I am wrong with what I said?
27. philip
March 7, 2006
12:29 AM
CamelJoe, I’ve been giving quite a bit of thought to your last couple of posts. Firstly, let me assure you that in no way was I comparing our experiences.I was hopefully trying to show people,such as yourself how God has such a love for us all that there is nothing he can’t do for those that are His. Secondly,I’m delighted to hear that God has begun a great work in your life;
Quote; ‘Dont get me wrong here I love being a christian….Have never been happier my life is getting better every day’
To that I say Praise God!
As Mike said there are some errors with reference to scripture in your posts.I went to the member list of this site to email you privately to discuss some of these.But I couldn’t find you.
CamelJoe,I’m no spiritaul giant,and my limited knowledge may not be of much help to you but together we can grow in Christ.There are some spiritual giants that frequent this site and some are even willing to teach us. Please join this site by registering,then look up my email, I’m philgk . Email me…. I’d like to walk with you.
Yours in Christ, philip
28. Chris
April 16, 2006
5:07 PM
Hi. My name is Chris. I am 16 yrs old and I gave my life to Jesus about 3 years ago, yet I am also addicted to smoking.
I would just like to say that smoking is really seen as a minor setback in promoting the christian faith, in my opinion. If smoking was truely wrong, it would come under the ten commandments or the two main outlines of living would turn into THREE main outline (Love the Lord your GOD, Love thy neighbour… and do not smoke!) Not one of the 10 commandments says that we cannot smoke or necessarily implies that we can’t. I agree with paul, in the sense that it is important to guard our bodies and treat them as temples, but that means that we should eat nothing but Salad and stay away for all McDonalds, Burger Kings and Taco Bells everywhere! I also tend to think - what is worse for you: 8 marlboro lights a day or 8 pints of bud everyday? How come we cannot smoke but we can drink? In other words, I suppose my main argument is where do we draw the line with what Paul is testifying here?
I hope i’ve helped and given good insight to my opinion! I will conclude just by saying, having only been a smoker for about 9 months, it hasnt set me back in my faith in anyway. I feel no shame in telling people that I smoke and no shame when coming before the throne of God!
Bless you all!
29. Lin
April 16, 2006
5:44 PM
I cannot for the life of me remember where I read this but here goes: Spurgeon, a cigar smoker was once asked by a member of his congregation if smoking cigars was’t a sin. Spurgeon replied: Only in excess. The member asked what he considered excess and Spurgeon replied: Smoking two at a time.
30. Rick
July 3, 2006
11:30 PM
Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site. It gives me assurance that I am not the only one who is a Christian smoker.
I started when I was 13 years old….my parents were divorced, and my mom would go out on weekends with her boyfriend and would leave me alone. This is when I got addicted.
A few years later, I came to Christ (at 19 ….I am now 27 ). I thought that as soon as I came to Christ, my habit would go away. Well it didn’t. I never smoked in front of my friends or family as i felt that it would only make me smoke all the more. Also, I am the only one of my immidiate family who is saved and who smokes….double whammy.
I am afraid to admit to people at my church and to my Christian friends that I smoke occasionally (I’ve been able to reduse my cig intake considerably thanks to God!). The main reason is, judgement. I have a roomate in particular who is a Christian and who is VERY judgemental about things.
I need some help as to how to deal with this. I appreciate your time reading this, and especially sharing your opinions.
God Bless you all