Can Christians Smoke Cigarettes?

[Rollo Tamasi]

I once heard of a guy that went out and smoked with his boss on breaks.
It seemed that he was the only one that smoked.
When it came time for a promotion, he got it instead of others.
It appears that smoking isn't always a bad thing.

 

[Deborah13]

And to those who think you can remove yourself from the kingdom of God by virtue of destroying the physical body, as if the physical body is the 'building' of God that Paul warns against destroying ...

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." (2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV)

The 'building' of God is a spiritual building. It does not depend on the physical body for it to be established as the 'building' of God.

If you take away the health factor, what are you left with for a reason that it is sinful to smoke??
Don't tell me it's a stumbling block, it can only be a stumbling block if it's a sin.... or it's pure rabbinical type law. It's actually worse then not eating cheese with meat. At least the rabbis were trying to make sense of something God actually said.

Having rules just to have rules makes no sense. Having rules that make no sense is worse.

If one feels it's a sin to smoke then for heaven's sake and your's don't smoke, if one feels that it is sinful to use musical instruments in church, then don't go to a church that does. it one wants to wear a beard, don't go were they say no. But don't tell other Christians they are not Christians if they do because if you do You are the stumbling block.....

Jesus was a stumbling block for the extra rule makers, we can be stumbling blocks as extra rule makers, for the ones finding liberty, in Christ.
If it's sin, hate it, don't do it. If it not sin, it's your choice.


Oh and by the way, you are not a Christian if you live in LA, no Christian would live in LA. The air quality is way worse than smoking a pk of cigg a day if you live where the air is clean, like the mountains. :

NONE of this post is directed personally at the last poster, the quoted poster, or any other poster.....

JUST MY OPINION and what do I know, I'm just a woman......

 

[farouk]

Incidentally, for most, cigar smoke is not inhaled like cigarette smoke but there is still some smoke brought in even if it is indirectly and I suppose there could be some potential negatives to the teeth from the smoke and to the lips coming from contact.

Hmm.... interesting, WIP you went right again to destroying the body issues.

First let me say I don't see anything wrong with smoking cigars in your scenario, it wouldn't even harm the teeth with such little use.

But what's really the point is we can't come up with a reason why smoking is bad except for health reasons.
It's not something done traditionally by pagans. It's not something that harms others if done away from others inhaling the smoke.
So why is it bad for Christians to smoke? Who said that anyway? Why do pagans think the it's bad for Christians to smoke? Because the church said so but the Church can't tell you why??
Was it always considered bad by the church? Was it OK for men to smoke?

I was in a Baptist church. The only reason they could give for not smoking was smoking up the temple. They also say that Jesus didn't drink wine, it was grape juice. That when the Bible said wine it really meant new wine. And Jesus didn't wear a beard.
I guess, it's OK to lie to the children (lay people), it's for their own protection.

@Deborah13 :

So when liberals deny the miracles, they will find agreeing with them some fundamental baptists who think the Lord Jesus didn't really turn the water into wine at Cana after all, because Christians 'must not' drink wine, because it's a taboo for some people.

Just as smoking is a taboo for some people.

(I don't want to drink wine, or smoke, BTW.)

Blessings.

 

[WIP]

Deb, are you okay? You seem to be taking a strong defensive position. The reason I asked Jethro my question was so I can get a clearer understanding of where he is coming from. The truth is, I do not smoke cigarettes and I never have. I can't stand the smell, the odor is very offensive to me, and my nose, throat, and lungs are irritated by the smoke. The cigar smoking I described is me however. I tend to look at smoking similar to drinking alcoholic beverages. I drink in moderation (enjoy a beer or two now and then) and I smoke cigars in moderation. I personally don't see anything wrong with it any more than I see anything wrong with eating food so long as it is done in moderation.

As far as being sinful? Gluttony and drunkeness are both identified in the Bible as sinful. I don't know if smoking was something done back in those days or not. If it was then why was it not mentioned? If it wasn't does that mean it doesn't matter? Maybe we should consider the spirit of the law then.
Eating food is not sinful but gluttony is.
Drinking alcoholic beverages is not sinful but being drunk is.
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?
Does it become sinful when it introduces toxins into the system that can cause damage? In this case the automobile is sinful because every time we start one up we introduce toxins into the air we breath potentially causing damage. Same would then be true whenever we use fire in any form such as for heating our homes and business, generating electricity, and cooking our food.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Thank you, Jethro. I think I'm catching it. Correct me if I'm wrong. One must eat in order to survive but one does not have to abuse food. One does not have to smoke to survive so therein lies the difference between a smoker and an eater.

Real close.

We all are going to eat. Smoking doesn't follow along the lines of traditions, and culture, and upbringing, or whether the pagans do it or not, etc. Not true about smoking.

Do you think it is wrong to even light up once or maybe twice a month? For example, suppose one enjoys smoking a cigar once in a while. This person doesn't do it habitually, maybe only about a dozen or two cigars over the course of a year. Incidentally, for most, cigar smoke is not inhaled like cigarette smoke but there is still some smoke brought in even if it is indirectly and I suppose there could be some potential negatives to the teeth from the smoke and to the lips coming from contact.

I personally don't see any 'sin' problem with smoking in and of itself. The main problem I see in it is the damage it does to good Christian witness. I'm not sure I've ever met a smoker who wasn't addicted to it. God never intended for us to be slaves to the creation, but for us to be in command over created things. So when I see a Christian who can't even wait to get home from church to smoke (and does it in the parking lot) I see someone who's supposed to have the witness of the power of God bound by that which we Christians loudly proclaim we are set free from in Christ--the bondage of the flesh to created things.

Paul says all things are permissible, but not all things are constructive (1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB). And that's where I'd put smoking. You can do it, but from the viewpoint of witness, and the obvious natural consequences to physical health, I'd say it's simply not a wise thing, practically speaking, to do--for you, and those who see you do it. And in the scenario you spelled out, I'd say to that person just keep it the way it is...that is, Bill Clinton style (no inhaling), and done in secret. That to me is a spiritual answer for the person who wants to exercise his liberty to do it that can protect both the smoker and other people.

Interested in your thoughts.

Thank you, but out of good conscience I'm returning what you paid for them, as you paid waaaay too much for them:

 

[Potluck]

Thank you, Jethro. I think I'm catching it. Correct me if I'm wrong. One must eat in order to survive but one does not have to abuse food. One does not have to smoke to survive so therein lies the difference between a smoker and an eater.

One doesn't have to love to survive, or forgive to survive either.

 

[WIP]

Thank you, Jethro. I think I'm catching it. Correct me if I'm wrong. One must eat in order to survive but one does not have to abuse food. One does not have to smoke to survive so therein lies the difference between a smoker and an eater.

One doesn't have to love to survive, or forgive to survive either.

Interesting point. Can it then be said that one who loves or forgives too much is abusing love and forgiveness? Okay, poor attempt at some humor.

 

[Sparkey]

JUST MY OPINION and what do I know, I'm just a woman......

Woman. There are so many women that the Word of God mentions, aren't there. I don't find any of the "just a woman," kinds there though. Not one. Can you imagine being Mary for a moment? At the wedding feast and while sympathizing with the couple’s plight, Mary asked her son to help them. Her words show her heart. Full of grace. Full of trust, no, FAITH is the better word.

I am hearing something and trying to understand. Do you know that feeling maybe? To me, this is like being young and peering up over the edge of the table. I can see it, can smell it, but I'm also too short to taste it. That's the feeling that I have while listening to God as he says, "Be still. Know that I am God." But I want it soooo bad! How may I stop jumping up and down and fidgeting? How may I be like that woman? "They have no wine."

"Woman? What is that to me? My hour has not yet come."

Earlier in this thread, woman, we have talked about me being the only one who pressed the "No" button. Today I see there is another. I still agree with the heart of what you are saying, but not quite as touching. The way I read it is, "If it were up to you, should anybody smoke?"

Deborah, if it were up to you, should Adam sin?

That's not the case and the fact is some people do smoke and it is also true that this is not up to me. But in an ideal world where everything is up to me? Abandon all hope, ye who enter there. I can't power the sun. You are doomed beyond hope. So it's not up to me and you are absolutely correct. Yet, how may I be still? How may I close my mouth when the Joy of the Holy Spirit and the flow of the agape that forms between us is so easily impeded? Maybe it's just best for me to say, Deb? I do felio you, and I'm starting to agape you, but my busy heart is too concerned for the quiet moment that needs to carved between us as we stop and adore the King of kings together.

Father God? They (we) need a place carved that we may rightly see You.

 

[Sparkey]

The debate is, either it's okay, or it's not okay,

If it was simple like that the whole problem would be solved. In your ideal world, it is? I'm uncertain. Thanks though.

 

[Sparkey]

If you take away the health factor, what are you left with for a reason that it is sinful to smoke??

What is this? How dare you get right to the point like that? Good question.

Knowing that we should just leave it at that, and while almost tasting the food that is spread on YOUR table, I would also say that to a diabetic, excess sugar is harmful, but it is not sinful. To an alcoholic, that wine that Jesus did indeed consume, the fruit of the earth, symbolizing the joy that our Father wants for each of us, as we celebrate union, is also problematic. We live in a world where sin exists. Consequences for sin exists. How glad may we be if we know so well the fruit of the tree of good and evil?

This way is not the way of salvation. I need others to walk with me. Some have said, "no man is an island," so before I start singing an old Simon and Garfunkle, to every season, turn, turn, turn, there is a reason, turn, turn, turn, and a time for every ...

Is there a manly way to say "Ooopsie" ? No? Nevermind. Let me instead say, "That is a very good thought, Deborah13." I think I agree with you.

 

[Potluck]

Thank you, Jethro. I think I'm catching it. Correct me if I'm wrong. One must eat in order to survive but one does not have to abuse food. One does not have to smoke to survive so therein lies the difference between a smoker and an eater.

One doesn't have to love to survive, or forgive to survive either.

Interesting point. Can it then be said that one who loves or forgives too much is abusing love and forgiveness? Okay, poor attempt at some humor.

lol

It just seems to me that the Ten Commandments and Christ's ministry were all based on others, how we treat others and of course our love for God. One may argue that smoking shortens the time we have with others and I suppose that's true. But then death comes from all sides and it's the one thing nobody escapes.

Love can be abused in a sense through jealousy, stalking and overbearance to the point of oppression.
Forgiveness? Apathy, complacency may be symptoms of forgiveness abuse.
Forgiveness abuse. Somehow that sounds odd but keep in mind we humans have an extraordinary capacity to abuse just about anything and everything.
I've never heard anyone tell someone "You forgive too much." though.

 

[Sparkey]

I'm not sure I've ever met a smoker who wasn't addicted to it.

I smoke. I am addicted. It is a struggle. But not a daily struggle. Trying to quit is is exasperating that I only attempt it once every ten years or so. I've quit before though. Once was when I went to the Vacation Bible Camp as a camp counselor. It just would not do for those in my charge to see me sneak. It simply would not do. So I smuggled in some nicotine gum and did my sneaking invisibly. I would take a single piece and put it in after breakfast, chew it a couple times and then just let it rest and not chew. That one piece would last more than half a day.

Eventually, it was 10 days of bible camp, I didn't need the gum.

A couple months later, and in the good ol' adam style, that woman, whom God had given me, my wife (who had not quit smoking), she did bid me smoke and I did light up. Is the end known from the beginning? My choice, regrettable as it may be, was certainly not her fault. Also, she does not bear the consequence of my choice. My vigor is reduced. Even though I can walk stairs and even though I can go on hikes and can swim, that energy that I used to have for these things is reduced and this too is a struggle.

Should I smoke? No. I should not.

 

[reba]

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...

 

[Deborah13]

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.

 

[Sparkey]

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.

I hear a personal "you" in what you say, dear Deborah. Not an offensive one but more like an intercessory one. Do I know that Jesus was tempted like me? Yes. Do I know that He is my High Priest, the one that stands between God and sinful me? I do. Okay, now what about those brothers and sisters who stand with Him with their hands in His? Do I see them? Sometimes i do, yes.

Thank you.

 

[reba]

Us kids could discuss things with dad and/or mom as long as we did not get disrespectful ...

So i had been found out smoking again.... Dad is trying to reason with me... Dad where in the scriptures does it say do not smoke? His eventual reply "know ye not you are the temple of the holy Spirit... " We did a lot of king James English some times... Very carefully i suggested Romans 13...Dad those trout you bring home then go get another limit?

I had him! i was on a roll.... He gently took my shoulders looked me straight in the eye and told me, that i was right, he would never do that again and asked my forgiveness. I stopped for a while the deeper lesson i never forgot...

 

[reba]

Amen Deb

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

This thread is turning into a communion among the saints.
Praise the Lord!

 

[Sparkey]

I've never heard anyone tell someone "You forgive too much." though.

Oh, how tempted am I to try to be clever cleaver here. I could tell about that time when your Sparrow (that was my nickname) was in a Jewish forum. That Member was known as a Christian and it was 1995, before my membership began on CF.net. When the news of Rabin's assassination was heard there was almost an thundering silence, a pregnant pause, if you will.

Then, after not much time had passed, the questions came. They were addressed to me, as a representative of our Lord because I had associated myself with His name.

You can imagine, "What? You would forgive this?"

It was not a lynch mob. They didn't want to string me up. I do understand the need for Justice. That too is part of the weightier matters of the law. What does my witness say as I light up? Does it say that this is okay? Will those who know how to judge, not by the eye, not by the ear, but with righteous judgment, see me? Let it be unto me, meted out to me, in the same measure, given out in portions. apportioned unto me, dealt out, doled out, parceled out · distributed to me in the same manner that I distribute to others, with the same degree of care and compassion and mercy.

Let not their vigor be compromised in this (as mine has for blowing smoke) but may it also be seen that for him whom there is much forgiven? There is much love.

Too often we, as Christians, blow smoke. There is much need for study in many things so that we may rightly show ourselves UNTO GOD, as workmen and for His approval. Time for meat, not yet strong meat, but this is not milk anymore.

 

[Brother Mike]

This thread is turning into a communion among the saints.
Praise the Lord!

It is a blessing sharing and talking with each other. Sort of makes you wish this was on teamspeak or something. I have seen other Forums have a chat area but it normally ends up talking about food or things not worth talking about.

Mike.