Can Christians Smoke Cigarettes?

[WIP]

Perhaps then smoking is not sinful but smoking excessively is. In my mind the next question then is what is "smoking excessively?"
Does it become sinful when it begins to influence or control your life? In other words becomes a habit?

Ah..ha.. Yes. In my opinion, that is exactly it. When it seriously (not a 5 min. interval problem) interfers with one's walk with God there is a problem.

Example: If one won't go to church because they fear or know they can't sit through the service without a cigg. then it's a problem. If they damage their health to were they can't serve the Lord in a capacity that He may have for them to do, it's a problem.
That cigg. has control, you are addicted and it is interfering with your walk and your service.

Deb, are you okay? You seem to be taking a strong defensive position

Yes, I am for me anyway, taking a position anyway. Not in defense of me or mine but for the position of a saved person, in Christ.

It's not just smoking though, if the OP said something like "Can Christians Be Obese?" I would be just as defensive. Jesus, said we can come to Him just as we are and sometimes people shed a lot of junk when they get saved but some things are harder for them. Especially, habits whether it be overeating, smoking, undereating, etc. I don't believe that defines their position in Jesus.

My friend suffered with bulimia until the day she died. Do I believe she was saved and is with the Lord today? Yes, I do.
It didn't help her one bit to feel guilty about it and being told she wasn't faithful enough....
It didn't get her healed, it didn't make her stop.

If you had a kid that kept picking their nose (disgusting habit!!) would you disown them, rent or adopt them out, beat them, not feed them..... oh no, condemn them to hell. Now if they can't sit through church without doing this, it's time for handcuffs....

All "YOUs" are in third person, and I deny any of my statement being directed at anyone in this forum. You are all a blessing to me.

Jesus loves each and everyone of you, just as you are.

Thank you, Deb, for your clarification. For if I cannot be saved because I sin, then there is no hope. But there is hope. Hope in the one Christ, Jesus, in whom I trust. He has paid the atonement for me. My reaction therefore will be to do my best to live a life worthy of his sacrifice. Not because it will earn my salvation but because He already has. Praise God!

 

[farouk]

I quit June 16 1971. Before many of you were born... I chose to smoke because i was 'bad' at about 12 .... I quit cold turkey about 10+ years later... the sad part there are times yet when i wish i had one...

[MENTION=47381]reba[/MENTION]: Nothing wrong with saying you like it.

I quit, too, and am glad I did.

Blessings.

 

[Sparkey]

From another thread, flowing along side of this one, the analogy of a mighty river comes to mind... at the headwaters we may see other, smaller rivers (threads) joining and then? White water and turbulence... but just a little bit downstream? The combined power of the rivers is stronger and the turbulence has settled... so often this is the case where we are joined. The other thread speaks of another thing that could be called a cultural taboo, tattoos, but that is not the discussion here. What is common to both is the need to take a wide view (that of an old man river) even when the narrow view (that of the area of turbulence) together while considering all such matters.

To bring others "up to speed" a member of our forum has recently posted in another thread a comment, "one should be faithfully using/doing what they are advertising." She was talking about some of us who wear and brandish emblems of Christianity like big bibles encased in leather featuring the prominent lettering, "The Word of God" and other such things. Then she made the comment, about being faithful to what was being advertised (by them, by us) and turned her given reflections inward to question something that she alone is expert on (herself), "And what is that something to me?" The answer: "[that to me, means] showing the love of the Savior". Then, we hear the self-disclosure continue:

Am I always good at that, absolutely Not.

I come here, in a different thread, with a story about two rivers because those two threads, one about one thing, this about another, both flow together and reply to her observation, "That's not what I see of you." Another set of scriptures, of promises come to mind, "Where you were scarlet? There you shall be as white as snow. Where you are weak? There I am strong." Those are things that I see. But that's not why I came to this section of our river, to this thread. The other thread is used as a springboard from her reflection to here. There is a thought about cigarettes that came to me just now...

We turn our pages in our memories back to a Chess Tournament in the 70's while I was trying to love the game and study. I never made it to chess master but very much enjoyed a very specific view into a part of the game. You see, there were two grand-masters in competition for the title. This was back before young Bobby Fischer's time and the King's Gambit and the Fischer defense was virtually unknown. The two grand-masters sat in opposition one to another. Much was at stake and the game was suspended while Officials were asked for a ruling about smoking while playing.

The guy (I forget his name) brought forward the allegation that exhaled cigarette smoke had disturbed his concentration. The ruling was made and no more smoking during match play was allowed. Of course, this gave the non-smoker an advantage because the games would go on for days, to be adjourned and then resumed for further hours of play later. The smoker would now have to deal with his withdrawal symptoms. That could not have helped.

The ruling was not as interesting to me, an avid chess player and student of the game, so much as the second objection that was lodged was the game continued. The complaint that was mentioned is (paraphrased), "He looks like he wants to smoke!" You guessed it, right? The non-smoker was losing. There we may catch a glimpse of what can happen as we are engaged in competition, one against another. From that perspective is it not better to say, "Unbow yourselves. Look up. Your redeemer draweth nigh."

These are the words that I hear from and for my brothers and sisters here.

It's not a King's Gambit. There is no need of the Fisher defense. This is not chess, one person to another. It is not about gender. It is not about tattoos and not about cigarettes; not about carrying a bible everywhere we go or about wearing crosses around our necks. It is about quieting ourselves and joining together with each other as we ask and seek and begin and continue to earnestly desire, with our outstretched arms, our Master here with us, today, even now and before we die.

Those who have set their hands to this task, who have put their hands to this plow, and then look back? They are not worthy of me, so saith the Lord. Luke 9:62

Lord, I am not worthy. Any work that is performed is by you, as YOU are the only one worthy, O Lamb of God. Be here with us, strengthen each one as we do so need you now. The Spirit and the Bride saith "Come" and those who hear say, "Come".

Come, Lord Jesus, draw us close to you for we do so need you, O healer and deliverer and redeemer. We thank you and love you and yes, adore you today, as another has said, during the communion of the Saints. Reveal yourself to us and through us in this word, in these thoughts, in our actions, one to another.

 

[farouk]

From another thread, flowing along side of this one, the analogy of a mighty river comes to mind... at the headwaters we may see other, smaller rivers (threads) joining and then? White water and turbulence... but just a little bit downstream? The combined power of the rivers is stronger and the turbulence has settled... so often this is the case where we are joined. The other thread speaks of another thing that could be called a cultural taboo, tattoos, but that is not the discussion here. What is common to both is the need to take a wide view (that of an old man river) even when the narrow view (that of the area of turbulence) together while considering all such matters.

To bring others "up to speed" a member of our forum has recently posted in another thread a comment, "one should be faithfully using/doing what they are advertising." She was talking about some of us who wear and brandish emblems of Christianity like big bibles encased in leather featuring the prominent lettering, "The Word of God" and other such things. Then she made the comment, about being faithful to what was being advertised (by them, by us) and turned her given reflections inward to question something that she alone is expert on (herself), "And what is that something to me?" The answer: "[that to me, means] showing the love of the Savior". Then, we hear the self-disclosure continue:

Am I always good at that, absolutely Not.

I come here, in a different thread, with a story about two rivers because those two threads, one about one thing, this about another, both flow together and reply to her observation, "That's not what I see of you." Another set of scriptures, of promises come to mind, "Where you were scarlet? There you shall be as white as snow. Where you are weak? There I am strong." Those are things that I see. But that's not why I came to this section of our river, to this thread. The other thread is used as a springboard from her reflection to here. There is a thought about cigarettes that came to me just now...

We turn our pages in our memories back to a Chess Tournament in the 70's while I was trying to love the game and study. I never made it to chess master but very much enjoyed a very specific view into a part of the game. You see, there were two grand-masters in competition for the title. This was back before young Bobby Fischer's time and the King's Gambit and the Fischer defense was virtually unknown. The two grand-masters sat in opposition one to another. Much was at stake and the game was suspended while Officials were asked for a ruling about smoking while playing.

The guy (I forget his name) brought forward the allegation that exhaled cigarette smoke had disturbed his concentration. The ruling was made and no more smoking during match play was allowed. Of course, this gave the non-smoker an advantage because the games would go on for days, to be adjourned and then resumed for further hours of play later. The smoker would now have to deal with his withdrawal symptoms. That could not have helped.

The ruling was not as interesting to me, an avid chess player and student of the game, so much as the second objection that was lodged was the game continued. The complaint that was mentioned is (paraphrased), "He looks like he wants to smoke!" You guessed it, right? The non-smoker was losing. There we may catch a glimpse of what can happen as we are engaged in competition, one against another. From that perspective is it not better to say, "Unbow yourselves. Look up. Your redeemer draweth nigh."

These are the words that I hear from and for my brothers and sisters here.

It's not a King's Gambit. There is no need of the Fisher defense. This is not chess, one person to another. It is not about gender. It is not about tattoos and not about cigarettes; not about carrying a bible everywhere we go or about wearing crosses around our necks. It is about quieting ourselves and joining together with each other as we ask and seek and begin and continue to earnestly desire, with our outstretched arms, our Master here with us, today, even now and before we die.

Those who have set their hands to this task, who have put their hands to this plow, and then look back? They are not worthy of me, so saith the Lord. Luke 9:62

Lord, I am not worthy. Any work that is performed is by you, as YOU are the only one worthy, O Lamb of God. Be here with us, strengthen each one as we do so need you now. The Spirit and the Bride saith "Come" and those who hear say, "Come".

Come, Lord Jesus, draw us close to you for we do so need you, O healer and deliverer and redeemer. We thank you and love you and yes, adore you today, as another has said, during the communion of the Saints. Reveal yourself to us and through us in this word, in these thoughts, in our actions, one to another.

Philippians 2.5-11

 

[Sparkey]

Philippians 2.5-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+9:19-23&version=NIV

 

[farouk]

Philippians 2.5-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+9:19-23&version=NIV

[EDITED BY SPARROW TO INCLUDE THE ADDED EMOTICON FOR THE REDUNDANT THUMBSUPs]: :toofunny

 

[abide]

Let's get down to business here.

Can christians smoke cigarettes and still be christians?

There is so much made about this, I'd like to know what you all think about it?

Thank you.

I think that if we consider what is written in the new testament.

Whatsover things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report think on these things.

Cigarette smoking affects others.
It is wasting money. Burning paper
Damaging one's lungs
The whole point is if we are to glorify God in our body smoking will be out of the question.

What benefit is there in smoking. If a person can smoke cigarette and be a Christian what is wrong with them smoking marijuana.

I think the question which needs to be asked is. How can we develop the mind of Christ. What can we do enhance our health. The evidence against cigarette smoking is overwhelming and I think the whole idea makes no sense.

 

[Sparkey]

Greetings abide! I've not seen you for awhile. Good to hear you today.

Thank you! Yours is a very clear voice on a subject that may trouble many.

I think that if we consider what is written in the new testament.

Whatsover things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report think on these things.

Cigarette smoking affects others.
It is wasting money. Burning paper
Damaging one's lungs
The whole point is if we are to glorify God in our body smoking will be out of the question.

What benefit is there in smoking. If a person can smoke cigarette and be a Christian what is wrong with them smoking marijuana.

I think the question which needs to be asked is. How can we develop the mind of Christ. What can we do enhance our health. The evidence against cigarette smoking is overwhelming and I think the whole idea makes no sense.

 

[fishbreath]

Can christians smoke cigarettes and still be christians?

yes. but the answer is not so cut and dry.
I smoked cigarettes for years as a Christian, but I knew it was wrong and unhealthy. God finally set me free from it after a very long time of asking and when He did it was a miracle and instant.
But to answer the question, I was definitely a Christian the entire time I smoked, as nasty a habit as it is. It is certainly not God's will for His people to smoke.

 

[farouk]

Can christians smoke cigarettes and still be christians?

yes. but the answer is not so cut and dry.
I smoked cigarettes for years as a Christian, but I knew it was wrong and unhealthy. God finally set me free from it after a very long time of asking and when He did it was a miracle and instant.
But to answer the question, I was definitely a Christian the entire time I smoked, as nasty a habit as it is. It is certainly not God's will for His people to smoke.

@FloatingAxeHead :

I, too, used to smoke. And I'm glad I quit. But really I do think that although there were benefits to us from quitting, yet when you and I both smoked, when we were already Christians, it really wasn't anyone else's business.

This is how I look at it, really.

Blessings.

 

[fishbreath]

I, too, used to smoke. And I'm glad I quit. But really I do think that although there were benefits to us from quitting, yet when you and I both smoked, when we were already Christians, it really wasn't anyone else's business.

This is true to a point as I sure didn't want to hear long lectures about how I shouldn't smoke. I already KNEW I shouldn't smoke, but I liked it.
As for it not being anyone else's business, again this is true to a point.. but those who do not want smoke near them, their children, or even like the smell of it on our clothes when we were around them had every right to choose to not be around us... Notice I did not say they have the right to constantly go on about how bad the smoker is for smoking, lol.

That being said, since God performed a miracle to bring me to stop smoking, it was obviously His will that I not smoke. I could not quit on my own.

 

[farouk]

This is true to a point as I sure didn't want to hear long lectures about how I shouldn't smoke. I already KNEW I shouldn't smoke, but I liked it.
As for it not being anyone else's business, again this is true to a point.. but those who do not want smoke near them, their children, or even like the smell of it on our clothes when we were around them had every right to choose to not be around us... Notice I did not say they have the right to constantly go on about how bad the smoker is for smoking, lol.

That being said, since God performed a miracle to bring me to stop smoking, it was obviously His will that I not smoke. I could not quit on my own.

@FloatingAxeHead :

I'm glad I quit and you sound like you really are too!

But yes, you are absolutely right: there is, and should be, give and take. (Some Christians of a legalistic mindset, single issue campaigners, etc., seldom see it this way, though.) There should be some flexible give and take, though. Like you say, those who didn't want to be around you and me when we smoked, had the right not to be. And while it might have been good for our general humility for people to have moralized against us, yet it was really about you enjoying being a smoker and not about someone else enjoying eating chocolate. (How many preachers' wives have been denied participation in the Lord's Supper because they may enjoy eating chocolate?)

Blessings.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

I think after 178 replies, it's time I put my 2 cents worth in on this topic.

1. If you truly enjoy smoking and you are not feeling any health issues from it, then by all means continue to enjoy your smoke.


However, if you have heart or health issues due to smoking, it is time to quit.
All at once, just quit.
And it's not that hard.

You see, as a born again christian, you have victory in Jesus.
And that's not to be taken lightly.
We have real victory in Jesus.
And when we very sincerely lay our smoking habit at the foot of the cross, give it to Jesus and walk away, we will see for ourselves that we really do have victory in Jesus.

 

[farouk]

I think after 178 replies, it's time I put my 2 cents worth in on this topic.

1. If you truly enjoy smoking and you are not feeling any health issues from it, then by all means continue to enjoy your smoke.


However, if you have heart or health issues due to smoking, it is time to quit.
All at once, just quit.
And it's not that hard.

You see, as a born again christian, you have victory in Jesus.
And that's not to be taken lightly.
We have real victory in Jesus.
And when we very sincerely lay our smoking habit at the foot of the cross, give it to Jesus and walk away, we will see for ourselves that we really do have victory in Jesus.

[MENTION=92945]allenwynne[/MENTION]:

Sounds good.

And to be honest, for me it wasn't really hard to quit. (Sounds like [MENTION=96902]FloatingAxeHead[/MENTION] found it harder, though.) But meanwhile, for others to be constantly moralizing about it doesn't achieve much.

Blessings.

 

[Sparkey]

However, if you have heart or health issues due to smoking, it is time to quit.
All at once, just quit.
And it's not that hard.

What does the internet slang word, "MEH" mean? Could it mean voiced indifference? Would it be taken to mean, "Yeah, been there tried that, tell it to somebody who does not experientially know that the addictive power of nicotine is greater than cocaine?" Or could it not also mean, "I don't know how to accept this without a shrug."

If the shadow of your thought were to fall upon me and I found myself able to take my pallet and rise and walk? Then I too would jump for joy. Until such time? What shall I rightly do but to remain silent and shrug as I acknowledge the truth of such statements that you have rightly proclaimed about the marvelous healing power found in the word of truth. "Lord, I believe! Help me in my unbelief."

My doctor and I have formed a plan. This has happened after I have actually been delivered from the curse of addictive smoking, only to then be found to, like a dog, return to my vomit. I have confessed this and do indeed look forward to a time of cleansing and purging. It is with a glad heart that I speak of the long-suffering of God. Pray that this is well received by our God who looks upon hearts. I do need deliverance in this and in all things.

In an effort toward clarity, I do not find your statements here to be those that might be depicted as "moralizing" but instead to be better received as putting me in remembrance of those things that we both know to be true. It is acceptable for you to speak in faith to me, a weaker brother. In point of fact I would rise and say that you are admonished to do exactly this and accept your gift with thanks.

 

[Mike S]

However, if you have heart or health issues due to smoking, it is time to quit.
All at once, just quit.
And it's not that hard.

What does the internet slang word, "MEH" mean? Could it mean voiced indifference? Would it be taken to mean, "Yeah, been there tried that, tell it to somebody who does not experientially know that the addictive power of nicotine is greater than cocaine?" Or could it not also mean, "I don't know how to accept this without a shrug."

If the shadow of your thought were to fall upon me and I found myself able to take my pallet and rise and walk? Then I too would jump for joy. Until such time? What shall I rightly do but to remain silent and shrug as I acknowledge the truth of such statements that you have rightly proclaimed about the marvelous healing power found in the word of truth. "Lord, I believe! Help me in my unbelief."

My doctor and I have formed a plan. This has happened after I have actually been delivered from the curse of addictive smoking, only to then be found to, like a dog, return to my vomit. I have confessed this and do indeed look forward to a time of cleansing and purging. It is with a glad heart that I speak of the long-suffering of God. Pray that this is well received by our God who looks upon hearts. I do need deliverance in this and in all things.

I take it to mean indifference, a shrug and "big deal."

 

[Sparkey]

I take it to mean indifference, a shrug and "big deal."

Okay, so there is a better way to say what I meant? I don't doubt that. Words themselves entangle. Better to be quiet, methinks. Right?

 

[Mike S]

I take it to mean indifference, a shrug and "big deal."

Okay, so there is a better way to say what I meant? I don't doubt that. Words themselves entangle. Better to be quiet, methinks. Right?

Probably not. I don't think there's any "official" meaning...it's slang, after all.

 

[farouk]

Re. the 'big deal' that Sparrowhawke and [MENTION=68276]mark[/MENTION] are discussing, it ought to be seen as the deal for the person who does the smoking.

Not anyone else.

I'm glad I quit, but before I did I wasn't responsible to other people who might 'moralize' about it. As [MENTION=96902]FloatingAxeHead[/MENTION] seemed to say, she enjoyed it at the time, and this should have been the end of the matter as far as anyone else was concerned, as long as they didn't have to breathe her smoke.

But I don't advocate it, and I'm glad I'm not a smoker any more.

Blessings.

 

[fishbreath]

I'm glad I quit and you sound like you really are too!

But yes, you are absolutely right: there is, and should be, give and take. (Some Christians of a legalistic mindset, single issue campaigners, etc., seldom see it this way, though.) There should be some flexible give and take, though. Like you say, those who didn't want to be around you and me when we smoked, had the right not to be. And while it might have been good for our general humility for people to have moralized against us, yet it was really about you enjoying being a smoker and not about someone else enjoying eating chocolate. (How many preachers' wives have been denied participation in the Lord's Supper because they may enjoy eating chocolate?)

Oh my, you mean people have been denied communion because they smoke? I've not heard of this before and it just sounds wrong. Isn't the main point of communion for the seeker to examine his own heart? I would think that unforgiveness would be the largest sin obstacle.
Well this is certainly interesting..