Do you smoke?

[LindaR]

When I was about 12, my father (who was a smoker at the time--as well as my mother) gathered me, my brother and my sister together and said "I'm going to teach you guys about smoking, since you all are so curious about it". This was back in the mid 50s. We all got sick. However, I was the only one who never picked up a pack of cigarettes. My brother and sister did later on (I have no clue why).

Smoking is nasty, stinky, and a hazard to your health (physically and financially). I also hear that "second hand" smoke can be worse than the smoke the smoker breathes in themselves. I have a friend who got COPD due to her husband's second hand smoke--he smoked for 30 years before he quit.

For a Christian to smoke, I believe, is a very bad witness. I believe that our body is the "temple of the Holy Ghost" and we are to "glorify God in our body". How does smoking do that?

[RayJr]

I do not smoke I use to dip but I was convicted and rightly so that tobacco is adrug and that a christian should not use it, Sin is sin I knew it was when I did it and did it anyways, Just cause you do it doesn't mean you have to defend it. I used tobacco and everytime I stuck that dip in my mouth I sinned against God, If one drug is ok why are the others not. Christ only teaches one belief he does not teach a different truth for each of us.

[matie-k]

I don't and never will. But it's a way of life here, and so we've had some second-hand fumes around us at times although we avoid it as much as possible. I'm always amazed when a man here will light up in a small area (elevator or car, for example) right next to our 2 year old. For some reason that just seems more rude than anything, but they think nothing of it. We've ridden in taxi's before where the driver was smoking, and we open our windows wide no matter how cold it is outside! He usually gets the point then.

I agree though that it's no worse than junk food - both are bad for the body and addicting. (I should know - I just can't seem to give up fries no matter how hard I try!) :frog

[brosmith]

No. Tried it as a teenager (thought it was cool). Fortunately my dad found out and used his leather belt on me. Haven't smoked since. I am 48.

But then again, why would a person smoke? or better yet, Why would a Christian smoke?

Is it for pleasure? Read Hebrews 11:24,25
Is it out of necessity? Read I Corinthians 6:12
Is it for comfort? Read I Corinthians 9:27
Is it to make a good impression? Read Psalm 1:1

You may not like what I say next. Too bad. If you are a Christian and you smoke, dip, or chew tobacco then you are sinning against God and defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit. It seems that some are even bragging on what they smoke. That is not only sinful but it is also sickening. Reminds me of Romans 1:32 - "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

[LAF]

I hate when they smoke all the way up to a door .Then stand there and continue to puff away until there is hardly anything left .

I do find it amazing that smokers who quit its then they realize how much they stink .

It really makes me ill .

[Sojourner]

My whole childhood was in a smoker's home. Thankfully, my Dad quit 20 years ago. But both of my siblings are chain smokers. I go to my sister's house for 5 minutes and come out reeking. I love her dearly and wish she would kick the habit.

I'm not advocating eating french fries, etc.... but if I do eat them, they won't leave those around me coughing and reeking of smoke.

[dwayner79]

No. Tried it as a teenager (thought it was cool). Fortunately my dad found out and used his leather belt on me. Haven't smoked since. I am 48.

But then again, why would a person smoke? or better yet, Why would a Christian smoke?

Is it for pleasure? Read Hebrews 11:24,25
Is it out of necessity? Read I Corinthians 6:12
Is it for comfort? Read I Corinthians 9:27
Is it to make a good impression? Read Psalm 1:1

You may not like what I say next. Too bad. If you are a Christian and you smoke, dip, or chew tobacco then you are sinning against God and defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit. It seems that some are even bragging on what they smoke. That is not only sinful but it is also sickening. Reminds me of Romans 1:32 - "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Brosmith,

Can you please detail for us where scripture says that using tobacco is 1, sinning against God, and 2, defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit?

Also, Since you must be referring to me, I'll be happy to clarify that no bragging was going on. Anytime I talk to another cigar/pipe smoker, I ask the same questions. So you can chalk one of your concerns off your list. I look forward to examining the scriptures you put forward.

-Dwayne

[pneu-engine]

Brosmith,

Can you please detail for us where scripture says that using tobacco is 1, sinning against God, and 2, defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit?

Also, Since you must be referring to me, I'll be happy to clarify that no bragging was going on. Anytime I talk to another cigar/pipe smoker, I ask the same questions. So you can chalk one of your concerns off your list. I look forward to examining the scriptures you put forward.

-Dwayne

A very simple search of this topic can be found by looking up all the references dealing with "Sorcery", and "sorceries". It has to do with illicit drug use. Tobacco contains the very high-powered drug, nicotine.

Here are a few for starters:::::::::

Isaiah 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.


Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.


Acts 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.


Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.


Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

[chev1958]

Why would a Christian smoke?

While I'm not advocating smoking nor am I a smoker, smoking among Christians was prevalent during the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the South. So, it's a fairly "recent" sin. I remember folks (including the pastor) going outside after Sunday School to get their "fix" to hold them through the worship service.

[pneu-engine]

While I'm not advocating smoking nor am I a smoker' date=' smoking among Christians was prevalent during the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the South. So, it's a fairly "recent" sin. I remember folks (including the pastor) going outside after Sunday School to get their "fix" to hold them through the worship service.[/quote']
Yes, they did. Probably because they didn't know that it was Biblically wrong. There are certain aboriginal tribes our church is helping to reach with the Gospel that were still practicing cannibalism even after they were saved. They simply did not know it was wrong. To us it seems basic, but to them it was their whole lifestyle. I suspect that it is the same with many individuals who still smoke after they get saved.

[dwayner79]

A very simple search of this topic can be found by looking up all the references dealing with "Sorcery", and "sorceries". It has to do with illicit drug use. Tobacco contains the very high-powered drug, nicotine.

Here are a few for starters:::::::::

Isaiah 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.


Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.


Acts 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.


Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.


Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

PE,

Sorcery in scripture is only implicity related to drug use, and that would be heavy drug use. Trying to make smoking a pipe into sorcery takes some serious gymnastics.

[pneu-engine]

PE,

Sorcery in scripture is only implicity related to drug use, and that would be heavy drug use. Trying to make smoking a pipe into sorcery takes some serious gymnastics.

Actually not.

It has to do with using drugs for pleasure or any use other than medicinal or technical. If we engage in tobacco use for personal enjoyment, is that not pleasure-use???

The mental gymnsatics occur wherein we attempt to twist, or wrest, the Scriptures to fit our own personal agendas and desires.

The Biblical term sorcery is not the only issue here. There is also the matter of one's testimony before the world and other believers who may be young in their faith. If we offend them by our practices, we do greatly err.

[dwayner79]

Actually not.

It has to do with using drugs for pleasure or any use other than medicinal or technical. If we engage in tobacco use for personal enjoyment, is that not pleasure-use???

The mental gymnsatics occur wherein we attempt to twist, or wrest, the Scriptures to fit our own personal agendas and desires.

The Biblical term sorcery is not the only issue here. There is also the matter of one's testimony before the world and other believers who may be young in their faith. If we offend them by our practices, we do greatly err.

PE,

Chocolate contains a few powerful drugs including Tryptophan and phenylethylamine which are aphrodisiacs and anandamide a psychoactive drug. So may I assume that your affinity for Wilbur Chocolates has tainted your view on the matter and you are reasoning in your mind that chocolate is ok to eat. If you eat chocolate for personal enjoyment, is that not pleasure-use?

There is nothing wrong with enjoying things. We do so every day, like with chocolate, or cheeseburgers even though they contain 'drugs' in them. Sorcery is a weak argument. Pleasure-use even weaker.

[dwayner79]

The issue that seems to be getting buried here is that of the defiling of the temple of the Holy spirit.

Some time in the last 50 years or so, "defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit" turned into "smoking, drinking, and being fat" (although the latter is often looked past). I think this is one of the top misquoted verses in scripture. What did Jesus say in Matt 15:11? We have this idea all wrong, and the true warning of defiling the temple of God has been minimized to this silly "be healthy" idea. Defiling the temple leads to God's destruction! (I cor 3) Defiling the temple is a matter of personal holiness and the seriousness of that issue never gets spoken of because its been replaced by a disdain for smoking (all the while promoting the latest all you can eat fried chicken dinner on the grounds). What a shame that the message has been lost to many a Baptist church.

[pneu-engine]

PE,

Chocolate contains a few powerful drugs including Tryptophan and phenylethylamine which are aphrodisiacs and anandamide a psychoactive drug. So may I assume that your affinity for Wilbur Chocolates has tainted your view on the matter and you are reasoning in your mind that chocolate is ok to eat. If you eat chocolate for personal enjoyment, is that not pleasure-use?

There is nothing wrong with enjoying things. We do so every day, like with chocolate, or cheeseburgers even though they contain 'drugs' in them. Sorcery is a weak argument. Pleasure-use even weaker.

I've read that chocoalte is quite good for the human body. I have to find that documentation. The sugar in milk chocolate is not so good, but semi-sweet is ok from what I read.

Tryptophans are proteins and as found in foods are not harmful.

I know that no human being will ever change another human being's thinking. Only the Spirit of God can do that. We'll have to agree to disagree.