Nick
Member
Yes. I have a coffee machine, so that's literally what I have every morning. I'm pretty into coffee, actually.
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Can Christians Smoke Cigarettes?
- Thread starter Rollo Tamasi
- Start date
farouk
Member
It was in the context of Jethro's previous post.
Nick
Member
I know. I was wondering if you think that because Spurgeon smoked that you think it's ok to smoke?
I mean, as Jethro said, it's unhealthy, it's addictive and it's a bad wittness. Personally I don't care who does or doesn't do it - I don't do it becasue it harms my body, my spiritual walk and others' spiritual walk, as well as others' general health.
Simple, really.
farouk
Member
Oh I don't advocate smoking at all.
We can't get hung up on such things, though. As if it were some kind of norm for piety or fellowship (seeing as some of the great servants of the Lord smoked, too.)
Blessings.
Nick
Member
Actually I think it is very unloving to our Brothers and Sisters if we don't consider what affect our behaviour has on them, and what affect our behaviour has on our wittness.
So yes, I think talking about this stuff is very important.
farouk
Member
Yes, it's good to be loving, but I would certainly not describe C H Spurgeon as unloving. His ministry was among the most warm-hearted towards his fellow sinners.
It's a sad commentary about the state of our society and culture. Used to be that smokers were ignorant of the consequence of their vice on others. Today? Even my grandchildren know more than I did when I was an adult smoker. There was need for protective laws even back then but big $$ and congressional lobby efforts persuaded us and our representatives to make room for their essential profits.
Now? There are universal 25 foot rules in the state of Washington where no smoke may be exhaled close to nearby entranceways or windows of any building publically occupied and this includes multi-housing units too. But the need for this type of law? It is a reflection of the callous nature, and the searing of the conscience, while one weighs their wants vs. society needs. Which one of us, who claims to be part of the larger group called the Kingdom of God but who fails to give heed to man's law, does not experience a prick of conscience? I agree with you, Nick, even if it is in my old man way.
I hope to be taking an ethics class soon. This may be an excellent subject for discussion there too: "Am I just blowing smoke?"
Nick
Member
Thanks, [MENTION=13142]Sparrowhawke[/MENTION].
To compare that to today's world and extrapolate that therefore it's ok for Christians to smoke, I feel is not right.
I'm all for Christian liberty, but love for the Body should come first. The extreme focus on Christian liberty as the be all and end all is not only incorrect, but it also creates an "I culture - very selfish. I'm not saying that's what you're advocating - certainly not to that extreme, but I am saying that we need to be careful. On the other hand, let's not get legalistic about this, but rather be loving and what we do, and how that affects others and others' perceptions.
I'm not saying Spurgeon was unloving. But let's remember, he lived in a very different time, when smoking was fully acceptable.
To compare that to today's world and extrapolate that therefore it's ok for Christians to smoke, I feel is not right.
I'm all for Christian liberty, but love for the Body should come first. The extreme focus on Christian liberty as the be all and end all is not only incorrect, but it also creates an "I culture - very selfish. I'm not saying that's what you're advocating - certainly not to that extreme, but I am saying that we need to be careful. On the other hand, let's not get legalistic about this, but rather be loving and what we do, and how that affects others and others' perceptions.
Sometimes I jump the fence of the conversation where I normally stand so that I can argue for the other side too (becoming an advocate for those who smoke, not for smoking itself). Actually, being a smoker means that circumstances dictate this on occasion. Yesterday was one such occasion.
It was one of those autumn days here in the Great Pacific Northwest. Perfect for riding a motorcycle while wearing shorts and tee-shirt. Sure, it looks a little funny to be all Summer except for leather gloves and helmet, and sandals are not the best gear for the purpose, but the park is very close, the sky was blue and the warm southern breeze beckoned. A quick phone call and my son and two grandsons agreed to join me at the park an my day was set. I stopped at the grocery store and bought two bags of grapes, both seedless, one green and one red. Did I say perfect? It was.
Then, as I stood watching my grans play I noticed that the older (6 years old) had a heart for going around to the little babes who could just barely walk. He is a bright young man and he would walk up to the baby, and while making conversation with the parent, offer his helping hand to the child. I'm proud of his heart and so is his dad, my son. The other gran? The word robust describes that ready to go youngster. He would join his brother on occasion but the playground toys occupied more of his time.
It was a beautiful day. Only one blemish on it. I had stood back and onto the grass away from the playground while watching and enjoying life to light a cigarette. There was one rather large grandmother type who had been giving sideways glances toward but, but I'm not all the quick and not knowing how to figure such things, ignored her occasional gaze. While talking to my son a moment later though, we were interrupted by this rather large woman who said:
"I really hate to say this," she lied, then continued, "But it is not good for children when you smoke around them."
Now there are two ways that I could handle this, it seemed at the moment. What path to take?
Me being me? I chose another course. Taking a step closer to her I said, "It is 25 feet, ma'am."
To which she replied, "What is 25 feet?"
The end of that conversation came when I told her that my cigarette would be extinguished when it went out in a moment or two.
I took the position of man's law and the 'you have no authority' stance while daring her (in a silent and unspoken way) to call the police.
Not the most pleasant of conversations but that was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect day at the park. The woman smile politely and left later as the sun began to set. We had not exchanged another word.
It was one of those autumn days here in the Great Pacific Northwest. Perfect for riding a motorcycle while wearing shorts and tee-shirt. Sure, it looks a little funny to be all Summer except for leather gloves and helmet, and sandals are not the best gear for the purpose, but the park is very close, the sky was blue and the warm southern breeze beckoned. A quick phone call and my son and two grandsons agreed to join me at the park an my day was set. I stopped at the grocery store and bought two bags of grapes, both seedless, one green and one red. Did I say perfect? It was.
Then, as I stood watching my grans play I noticed that the older (6 years old) had a heart for going around to the little babes who could just barely walk. He is a bright young man and he would walk up to the baby, and while making conversation with the parent, offer his helping hand to the child. I'm proud of his heart and so is his dad, my son. The other gran? The word robust describes that ready to go youngster. He would join his brother on occasion but the playground toys occupied more of his time.
It was a beautiful day. Only one blemish on it. I had stood back and onto the grass away from the playground while watching and enjoying life to light a cigarette. There was one rather large grandmother type who had been giving sideways glances toward but, but I'm not all the quick and not knowing how to figure such things, ignored her occasional gaze. While talking to my son a moment later though, we were interrupted by this rather large woman who said:
"I really hate to say this," she lied, then continued, "But it is not good for children when you smoke around them."
Now there are two ways that I could handle this, it seemed at the moment. What path to take?
- "Ma'am? Do I know you? -and- "This, my smoking, is not your business."
- "Yes, ma'am. You're right, of course." -and- extinguish the cigarette.
Me being me? I chose another course. Taking a step closer to her I said, "It is 25 feet, ma'am."
To which she replied, "What is 25 feet?"
The end of that conversation came when I told her that my cigarette would be extinguished when it went out in a moment or two.
I took the position of man's law and the 'you have no authority' stance while daring her (in a silent and unspoken way) to call the police.
Not the most pleasant of conversations but that was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect day at the park. The woman smile politely and left later as the sun began to set. We had not exchanged another word.
TRUTH over TRADITION
Member
The answer would depend in my mind on whether the person did so recreationally and had control over smoking as opposed to it being a habit that has control over them. 1 Corintians 6:12 says that though someone has the right or ability to do something, that doesn't mean it's beneficial to engage in that activity, ESPECIALLY if that activity has the potential to control them. And if one continues reading, 1 Corinthians 6:20 has even more to say.
Respect and care for your body, you only get one.
Respect and care for your body, you only get one.
It is good to preach to the choir. They are those who are inclined to listen and we are in a place where we are told to practice dividing the word of trust, the word of truth, to show ourselves approved unto God.
Thank you, for this word, spoken in kindness and in truth(!).
farouk
Member
[MENTION=96902]FloatingAxeHead[/MENTION]:
So a number of us think that not smoking is definitely preferable!
Do you think that some of the anti-smoking arguments a little 'over the top'?
Blessings.
fishbreath
Member
argh. I lost the long reply I wrote when I got logged out
Anyway... I won't go into labelling arguments, all I can do is share what God did for me which was convict me so that I wasn't living under today's hyper-grace message.. and then He made me give up trying to quit. As soon as I gave up trying in the flesh, He set me free instantly. He is incredibly amazing and gracious. He set me free from other vices also but I'll save those stories for other posts.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Wonderful testimony.
argh. I lost the long reply I wrote when I got logged out
Anyway... I won't go into labelling arguments, all I can do is share what God did for me which was convict me so that I wasn't living under today's hyper-grace message.. and then He made me give up trying to quit. As soon as I gave up trying in the flesh, He set me free instantly. He is incredibly amazing and gracious. He set me free from other vices also but I'll save those stories for other posts.
We tell the world all about this gracious power of God to turn away from the appetites of the flesh...then when the world comes to church they see us standing around outside the church taking a smoke break. It derails the message of Christ...for both, the church and the world.
Maybe they can all line up and each of them blow a letter or number of 'John 3:16' into the air. So, instead of putting to death the appetites of the flesh that bring reproach on Christ, they can use them to witness to Christ.
Wonderful testimony.
argh. I lost the long reply I wrote when I got logged out
Anyway... I won't go into labelling arguments, all I can do is share what God did for me which was convict me so that I wasn't living under today's hyper-grace message.. and then He made me give up trying to quit. As soon as I gave up trying in the flesh, He set me free instantly. He is incredibly amazing and gracious. He set me free from other vices also but I'll save those stories for other posts.
We tell the world all about this gracious power of God to turn away from the appetites of the flesh...then when the world comes to church they see us standing around outside the church taking a smoke break. It derails the message of Christ...for both, the church and the world.
Maybe they can all line up and each of them blow a letter or number of 'John 3:16' into the air. So, instead of putting to death the appetites of the flesh that bring reproach on Christ, they can use them to witness to Christ.
Jethro, is that a real picture of you?
Jethro Bodine
Member
If this were E-Harmony...yes, that is me.
But in this forum, no, that is not me.
Actually, I look like Rob Reiner (minus the liver spots).
My kids tell me that I looked like Aston Kutcher when I was young. That's what just a few cigarettes in your late teens can do to you.
But in this forum, no, that is not me.
Actually, I look like Rob Reiner (minus the liver spots).
My kids tell me that I looked like Aston Kutcher when I was young. That's what just a few cigarettes in your late teens can do to you.
If this were E-Harmony...yes, that is me.
But in this forum, no, that is not me.
Actually, I look like Rob Reiner (minus the liver spots).
My kids tell me that I looked like Aston Kutcher when I was young. That's what just a few cigarettes in your late teens can do to you.
He Jethro, is that your real name?
K
King James
Guest
How about this. Some Christians smoke. Some drink. Some eat too much. Some take a bunch of drugs from their doctor. All of these things are bad for you. Just simple. God gave us these bodies. We should respect them and take care of them. Give God respect for these vessels he gave us. If you don't smoke realize that it is really, really hard to stop for most, harder to quit than crack or heroin for some. So, if you do it, let's not judge and form witch hunts. If you don't do it, please don't start as it is highly addictive. I have some missing family members that died early deaths because of smoking, drinking, overeating, legal and illegal drugs, and combinations of these things. My definition of early deaths? Between 40-60.