Cigarette anyone?

Cribstyl · Jan 23, 2010

What comes to your mind when you see a church member smoke?
Do you judge them as unsaved?

stormdancer0 · Jan 23, 2010

Of course not. It's silly to say someone is unsaved because they do something questionable. I don't know anyone who is without sin. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Cribstyl · Jan 23, 2010

stormdancer0 said:
Of course not. It's silly to say someone is unsaved because they do something questionable. I don't know anyone who is without sin. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Good answer...( to stir up dailog) but are you saying that smoking is sinful and comming up short?

stormdancer0 · Jan 23, 2010

I didn't say it was sinful or coming up short. I said it was questionable. Anything you do that destroys or damages the temple of God is questionable. and we are the temple of God.

Mela Monkey · Jan 25, 2010

I've been around some of my church members while they smoked. I don't have a problem with it.

I don't know if it's a sin, but addiction is sin, right? Just because I think it's wrong though doesn't mean I will let it get in the way of talking to that person, or let a barrier form between that person.

byhisstripes · Jan 25, 2010

There is only one judge and that is God, it is not for me to judge rather someone is saved or not because of things they may or may not do. I love Jesus with all of my heart (God and the Holy Spirit too) and I smoke on occasion, I used to smoke heavy expecially in manic times. I am working on quitting and have been doing a good job so far. Addictions are just another chain of bondage that ties us down and we need to break free of those and through the grace of God and on his strength alone we can and will over come them. This doesn't mean that I am perfect and in my attempt to quite there maybe days when I stuble and possibly fall but praying not.
So I guess if this determines if I am truely saved or not than I guess I am not. Never mind the fact that I try to live my life according to Gods standards and what not....anyways I do not remember where I am going with this so I am going to stop answering here LOL....Sorry, I completly lost my train of logical though

Cribstyl · Jan 25, 2010

byhisstripes said:
There is only one judge and that is God, it is not for me to judge rather someone is saved or not because of things they may or may not do. I love Jesus with all of my heart (God and the Holy Spirit too) and I smoke on occasion, I used to smoke heavy expecially in manic times. I am working on quitting and have been doing a good job so far. Addictions are just another chain of bondage that ties us down and we need to break free of those and through the grace of God and on his strength alone we can and will over come them. This doesn't mean that I am perfect and in my attempt to quite there maybe days when I stuble and possibly fall but praying not.
So I guess if this determines if I am truely saved or not than I guess I am not. Never mind the fact that I try to live my life according to Gods standards and what not....anyways I do not remember where I am going with this so I am going to stop answering here LOL....Sorry, I completly lost my train of logical though

Got a good laugh on that too. Bless your heart sister.

James 1:27 · Jan 25, 2010

I think God will be working that out in him eventually. Just as he works things out in me and everyone else. It's always a process.

mont974x4 · Jan 25, 2010

IN and of itself it is not a sin. One could argue the sin issue deals with allowing it to control you, or seeking peace through smoking (which could arguably be idolotry). The problem is, if we are going to draw this line then we need to by consistent (and therefore not hypcrits) and recognize the same sins in regards to a favorite TV show, hobby, chocolate, shopping, or anything else that we allow to control us or do for us what God alone can do.

All that said, I quit smoking last March after 20 years and I am glad I did. I realize that FOR ME I was placing cigarrettes in a place in my that they did not belong. The health issues are a non-starter as this body is temporary and the temple is spiritual. It is not what goes into a man that defiles him.

I also recognize that as a pastor my smoking could be an issue for others and I wanted to address that.

Cribstyl · Jan 25, 2010

I saw a young boy waiting for the school bus this morning smoking a cigarette. The fact that he was trying to hide drawn my attention to his age and the fact that he was waiting on the bus to middle school.

Then I noticed that he had tattoos and a black leather jackets with no books as the others who seemed more appropriately prepared for school.

God help us to make righteous judgments that we can pray for or help people in need of love and direction early in life.

CRIB

jdorsey · Jan 26, 2010

James 1:27 said:
I think God will be working that out in him eventually. Just as he works things out in me and everyone else. It's always a process.

Couldn't have said it better!!!

byhisstripes · Jan 26, 2010

mont974x4 said:
IN and of itself it is not a sin. One could argue the sin issue deals with allowing it to control you, or seeking peace through smoking (which could arguably be idolotry). The problem is, if we are going to draw this line then we need to by consistent (and therefore not hypcrits) and recognize the same sins in regards to a favorite TV show, hobby, chocolate, shopping, or anything else that we allow to control us or do for us what God alone can do.

All that said, I quit smoking last March after 20 years and I am glad I did. I realize that FOR ME I was placing cigarrettes in a place in my that they did not belong. The health issues are a non-starter as this body is temporary and the temple is spiritual. It is not what goes into a man that defiles him.

I also recognize that as a pastor my smoking could be an issue for others and I wanted to address that.

Thank you, I was trying to say that but just could not word it right, I like the way you put that and I so agree with you.

mont974x4 · Jan 26, 2010

lol I have my moments.

byhisstripes · Jan 26, 2010

DeleseRose · Jan 26, 2010

I think anything that defiles the temple is going against the will of GOD, ie...smoking, drinking, obesity. I know I probably sound harsh but It's not meant to be taken in that way. We should carry ourselves as royalty, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, etc...Set apart. How is smoking showing forth praises to him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light?
I personally loathe to see Christians smoke, it makes me sick to see Christians do that. I hate the smell of it. We are overcomers, not to be held in bondage to anything that Christ has set us free from.

Cigarette anyone?

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