Can Christians smoke and drink beer?

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Why would anyone ask how close they can walk to the edge without falling over? Is that wise?

That said, several principles apply. We are obligated to care for our bodies.

But in spite of what many teach, and often need to wrangle the Scriptures in an attempt to prove - drinking alcohol isn't a sin. Christ turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana, and Paul advised Timothy to drink a little wine for the sake of his stomach. However - being drunk IS a sin.

Cigarettes serve no useful purpose, and are bad for the body in any amount, so if someone were to ask me, I think the correct thing to do is not to smoke.

But Christianity isn't meant to be a set of laws, do's and don'ts - rather it is a way of moving toward God and healing the damage done by sin. Still, smoking won't help this, nor will getting drunk. Restrained drinking of beer or wine isn't prohibited though.

(But I will say, we must know ourselves. If one has a tendency to alcoholism, for example, any amount of alcohol might be a poor choice for that person and should be avoided.)

(And just to answer in advance what folks will surely oppose - I am allergic to tobacco and so never smoked, and I don't really enjoy the taste of alcohol, so I generally go months without ever tasting any or it crossing my mind, then I might have a glass of wine with my husband on our anniversary or whatever - but I have no stake at all in justifying either of these things. This is simply what I believe, history supports, and the Scriptures teach. And I have no desire to debate.) :)
 
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NothingIsImpossible

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I'd say its a hard topic. To much of anything turns it into a sin. Whether it being making something an idol, addiction to it, abuse of it...etc. Most agree unless you get drunk or smoke a ton, its not a big deal. I'm mixed on it because even if someone feels its not a sin and not a big deal, your still harming your temple. Even if its one cig a day or one drink a day.

But then again eating/drinking to much/little of anything can harm your temple. When it comes to cigs/drinking I just stay away from it all together. Even if I never become addicted I still know its bad for the body. Not that I am judging if someone else smokes or drinks. We all have our vices and idols.
 
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ewq1938

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Can Christians smoke and drink beer?
Maybe 1 package of cigarette per day, 1 pint of beer per day.
Is that allowable?


The bible does not address the issue of smoking. It says not to be a drunkard but says drinking in moderation is ok.

So, I say YES to both.
 
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ewq1938

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Here's what our Father had St. Paul write about those who party and impure in heart.
Galations 5:
19: Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
20: idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,
21: envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


Nothing about drinking or smoking in that verse.

Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
 
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ewq1938

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The works of the flesh is denied by the flesh but those who are born of God will never drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes in Eternal Life.

I doubt alcohol or cigs will exist in the eternity so I guess I agree with that part of your post. However, The saints of THIS LIFE might smoke and drink without condemnation.
 
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Blindspot6

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Smoking has always been bothering me in my mind being a Christian.
I smoke and I always feel so guilty about it but I just don't have the strong will to stop. I rarely consume alcohol other than on special occasion and also very little of it.

It started when I went to college which is away from my home.
No one couch to me it. Just that at time you feel so stress and lonely on the initial stage. You think you will kill some time with it telling yourself that you can stop if you wanted to. Sadly it turn out to be not true.

I have been smoking for the last 20+ years.
I tried to stop couple of time but, like I said, I just don't have the strong will.

Or maybe another part inside of me refuse to let it go.
I find cigarette like some kind of a companion to me, it relieve my tension and stress. Call it an excuses but that's how I feel.
 
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ewq1938

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Smoking cigs is not a moral issue regarding your eternal soul.

You should quit! But no one goes to hell for smoking.


Smoking has always been bothering me in my mind being a Christian.
I smoke and I always feel so guilty about it but I just don't have the strong will to stop. I rarely consume alcohol other than on special occasion and also very little of it.

It started when I went to college which is away from my home.
No one couch to me it. Just that at time you feel so stress and lonely on the initial stage. You think you will kill some time with it telling yourself that you can stop if you wanted to. Sadly it turn out to be not true.

I have been smoking for the last 20+ years.
I tried to stop couple of time but, like I said, I just don't have the strong will.

Or maybe another part inside of me refuse to let it go.
I find cigarette like some kind of a companion to me, it relieve my tension and stress. Call it an excuses but that's how I feel.
 
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ewq1938

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I hope this helps you understand why you can't drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes as a Spirit in God.


It does not address human life nor drinking and smoking in this life.
 
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Blindspot6

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Smoking cigs is not a moral issue regarding your eternal soul.

You should quit! But no one goes to hell for smoking.

To me, somehow, I feel its a moral issue being a christian.

I know I should quit. I will have to try harder.
 
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ewq1938

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Do you understand anything about quantum mechanics that today's physicists are talking about?


Can you explain why knowing any of that pertains to the discussed issue of drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes?
 
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Inkfingers

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Can Christians smoke and drink beer?
Maybe 1 package of cigarette per day, 1 pint of beer per day.
Is that allowable?

As far as I can tell a drink is acceptable but drunkenness is not.

As for smoking, I would class that as recklessly destructive of the temple of the holy spirit.

For info: I smoked for a couple of years but quit, and I drink very moderately (at most a small glass of cognac at night or a glass of wine on a special occasion meal).
 
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Dave-W

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The bible does not address the issue of smoking.
Indeed.

I heard a very interesting theological discussion in the summer of 1970 - at least interesting to my 15 year old ears. It was 2 teen age guys, both Southern Baptists AFAICT; one from a southern state and the other from the north. The southerner posited that if you did not smoke you could not be saved, while the northerner believed that if you DID smoke you could not be saved.

Neither had a shred of biblical support for their respective positions. What was so interesting was their attempts to twist scriptures to fit their arguments.
 
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I don't think anyone can smoke beer, Christian or not.
My college roommate did. He used beer in a bong while he smoked dope.
 
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Dave-W

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That's what all sinners do. They twist the scriptures to defend themselves as a hypocrite who can't possibly obey the Ten Commandments. Only those born of God can understand what the Tree of Life is and obey ALL the commandments of God.
Gimme a break. You are judging 2 young teenage guys you know absolutely nothing about.
 
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