DamianWarS

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While 1 Corinthians 6:18 is dealing soley with fornication alone, the truths expressed in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 still holds true universally when talking about other sins and or in doing righteousness. For we should not sin (in general) because we are bought and paid for with a price. We should not sin (in general) because we should use our body to glorify God in all things.

except that you're taking a controversial claim and applying it to this verse which is out of context to begin with.... and by the way, 1 Cor 3:16-17 is also taken out of context, it's referring to the work we do for God's glory, not smoking. these verses are not about defiling our body through smoking. Christ himself tells us "What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." I realize that statement has limits but we're talking about a controversial claim judged with out-of-context verses. If smoking is implicated then what else? coffee? candy? alcohol? tv dinners? where does it stop and who gets to decide what is unhealthy for our bodies but not sinful? Everything is sinful and everything is not at the same time (broadly speaking). smoking may be sinful, it also may not be because smoking itself is nothing it's how it gets in the way of giving glory to God that is the problem. a smoker may be able to reach another smoker for the gospel where someone who condemns smoking and calls it a sin may distance a smoker from the gospel and ultimately from God which is not worth it and is a far greater sin. does someone smoke? who cares (the bible certainly doesn't), focus on how they are giving glory to God, and let God deal with their heart.
 
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Strong in Him

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To all:

I am deeply saddened by the many responses here justifying the sin of smoking as if it was okay with the Lord Jesus. Even unbelievers know of the horrible devastation that smoking causes in their own families. Many who are smokers desire to quit and they know it is bad. But Christians today seem to want to justify it as being okay.

Saying that smoking is bad for you, a nasty habit, may be antisocial and may cause your health to break down so that you have a shorter life-span, and saying that it is a serious sin in God's eyes and may lead to damnation or loss of salvation - are two very different things.

Regarding the former; I agree.
Regarding the latter; untrue.

There is a judgment coming and the Lord is returning. My encouragement to all here is to not live for the self indulgences of this life that are destructive, but live for our Lord Jesus Christ and His good ways.

I'm sure many appreciate such encouragement and are doing their best; but to suggest that smoking is the one sin that might ruin that, is wrong.
In the parts of my post you chose not to answer, I spoke of drinking alcohol, too much coffee, taking part in dangerous sports etc - these are also bad for your health, and alcohol, in particular, can affect someone's relationship with their neighbour. How many crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol? Yet you don't mention these.

For we should all be picking up our cross, and denying ourselves, and following Jesus with God's help.

Who says a person can't follow Jesus and smoke?
Many may indeed try to give it up when they become Christians, but it, alone, does not damn anyone.
 
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Ceallaigh

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NOW YE NOT THAT YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU? IF ANY MAN DEFILE (or destroys) THE TEMPLE OF GOD, HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY; FOR THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS HOLY, WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE. LET NO MAN DECEIVE HIMSELF- (1 Corinthians 3:16-18)

full


The same Greek word translated as “defile” has been translated as “destroy“ in the same verse.

full


Look at 1 Corinthians 3:17 here:

full


The Greek word φθείρω phtheirō (G5351) is used for defile and for destroy.

This means if we destroy our temples or bodies like with smoking, God will destroy us. This is not just an early death but it is a destruction of one's soul in Gehenna. For Jesus says fear not the one who can destroy the body but fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28).

effects-of-a-poor-diet.png
 
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Unless the person repents and asks for help not to do that again, or to keep doing it.

So you agree that the sin in looking upon a woman in lust can destroy our souls? But before you said there was only one sin that can condemn.

You said:
Yes, and refusing and rejecting Jesus and not wanting to be saved is the biggest sin.
Jesus died so that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God. If a person does not accept God's forgiveness they are not saved.

This would only be past sins being forgiven because 1 John 1:9 teaches that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You cannot confess sin and be forgiven of sin if all future sin was forgiven you (if you hold to the popular candy coated version of Christianity that says that we can sin and still be saved on some level by having a belief alone in Jesus as the Savior).

You said:
Yes, and?
Is a non Christian condemned by the words they speak or by their rejection of God?

No. Jesus says, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36).

Jesus said this in Matthew 5:22,

“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:22) (NASB).

Even someone who does not do them will not enter the kingdom unless they are born again, John 3:3 and enter in through Jesus, John 10:7, John 14:6.

Nowhere did I ever suggest that a person can be saved without God's grace and without being born again. In fact, it proves my point that these sins mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21 are for the believer only because a believer can not do these sins and still be condemned by not accepting Jesus as their Savior.

You said:
No one can be of God unless they are saved.
Salvation comes first and whoever rejects the Son does not have eternal life, John 3:16, John 3:36, 1 John 5:12.

Again, I am a Christian here and not an atheist. Most Christians believe we must first be saved by God's grace first and that is how we are ultimately or foundationally saved. But again, the point here is that John is referring to born again believers in that they do righteousness (1 John 2:29). John is referring to believers when he refers to them in 1 John 3:10. So if a believer is teaching they can sin and still be saved they are going against the words of John because he says that he that does not righteousness and or loves not his brother is not of God. A person who is not of God is not saved.

You said:
What I said; salvation comes first and rejecting God's salvation is a serious sin.

We are saved by the gospel (Which is believing that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later) (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), but the gospel also calls us, too. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, the gospel calls us to... God has chosen us to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth.

Now, this Sanctification of the Spirit is in being cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word (Scripture) to live a holy life by the power of the Spirit because if you were to look at the verses before and after it confirms this truth.
 
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To those who point out unhealthy eating habits:

Well, this is a very weak argument.

One bad thing does not undo another bad thing. It has nothing to do with smoking. We need food to live, and we do not need to smoke in order to live. Smoking is not necessary for us to live and it kills us and other people around us with second hand smoke.

It's not loving towards your neighbor.

Jesus agreed witht he lawyer that to love God and love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).

The apostle John says he that does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10). Obviously if one is killing their brother by giving them secondhand smoke, they are not loving him.
1 John 3:15 says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
If a person murders themselves and or others (with smoking the slower killer), they have no eternal life abiding in them.
 
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Strong in Him

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NOW YE NOT THAT YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU? IF ANY MAN DEFILE (or destroys) THE TEMPLE OF GOD, HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY; FOR THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS HOLY, WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE. LET NO MAN DECEIVE HIMSELF- (1 Corinthians 3:16-18)



The same Greek word translated as “defile” has been translated as “destroy“ in the same verse.



Look at 1 Corinthians 3:17 here:



The Greek word φθείρω phtheirō (G5351) is used for defile and for destroy.

This means if we destroy our temples or bodies like with smoking, God will destroy us.

We might die sooner; we will not lose our salvation.
Otherwise you are going to have to include alcohol, junk food, sweets, cakes, sugar, dangerous sports etc into that category.
And just out of interest, do you carry a gun?

This is not just an early death but it is a destruction of one's soul in Gehenna. (Matthew 10:28).

Where does the Bible say that then?
Where does it say that Jesus overcame the devil for us, has reconciled us to God, given us the Holy Spirit who guarantees our inheritance, every spiritual blessing and eternal life - but that can all be snatched away by man made cigarettes?

For Jesus says fear not the one who can destroy the body but fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28).

Yes, he can - but not because they have smoked.
Jesus was saying that many people might be afraid of those who can kill our bodies, but they should fear God, who can kill both body and soul.
 
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Ceallaigh

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To those who point out unhealthy eating habits:

Well, this is a very weak argument.

One bad thing does not undo another bad thing. It has nothing to do with smoking. We need food to live, and we do not need to smoke in order to live. Smoking is not necessary for us to live and it kills us and other people around us with second hand smoke.

We don't need to eat or drink anything other than vegetables and water to live. Anything that you consume that's not completely heathy, is defiling your temple.
 
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except that you're taking a controversial claim and applying it to this verse which is out of context to begin with.... and by the way, 1 Cor 3:16-17 is also taken out of context, it's referring to the work we do for God's glory, not smoking. these verses are not about defiling our body through smoking. Christ himself tells us "What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." I realize that statement has limits but we're talking about a controversial claim judged with out-of-context verses. If smoking is implicated then what else? coffee? candy? alcohol? tv dinners? where does it stop and who gets to decide what is unhealthy for our bodies but not sinful? Everything is sinful and everything is not at the same time (broadly speaking). smoking may be sinful, it also may not be because smoking itself is nothing it's how it gets in the way of giving glory to God that is the problem. a smoker may be able to reach another smoker for the gospel where someone who condemns smoking and calls it a sin may distance a smoker from the gospel and ultimately from God which is not worth it and is a far greater sin. does someone smoke? who cares (the bible certainly doesn't), focus on how they are giving glory to God, and let God deal with their heart.

Paul references various sins in general (sins of strife, envy - 1 Corinthians 3:3) and condemns them as sins that can cause a loss of salvation elswhere (See: Galatians 5:19-21). Paul is not saying that only these sins of strife, envy, and divisions can defile the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:17). Even Jesus said many other kinds of sins can defile us.

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:19-20).

Also, see my post #200 for a further explanation on 1 Corinthians 3:17, as well.
 
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BeyondET

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To those who point out unhealthy eating habits:

Well, this is a very weak argument.

One bad thing does not undo another bad thing. It has nothing to do with smoking. We need food to live, and we do not need to smoke in order to live. Smoking is not necessary for us to live and it kills us and other people around us with second hand smoke.

It's not loving towards your neighbor.

Jesus agreed witht he lawyer that to love God and love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).

The apostle John says he that does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10). Obviously if one is killing their brother by giving them secondhand smoke, they are not loving him.
1 John 3:15 says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
If a person murders themselves and or others (with smoking the slower killer), they have no eternal life abiding in them.

And because we need food to live is not a good argument for eating anything you want, chips,donuts,candy and a lot of stuff that is hazardous to our health. Feeding people hazardous food can be a slow killer.
 
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We might die sooner; we will not lose our salvation.

Paul is not talking about God taking the life of a believer earlier with them being saved. The sins of strife and envy in 1 Corinthians 3:3 are condemned in Galatians 5:19-21. It says they which do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is in relation to salvation because “inherit the kingdom” is referred to the faithful believer who helped the poor in this life as being contrasted with the one who did not help the poor in this life and they were told to go away into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). Some have argued that Matthew 25:31-46 only applies to nations, but this same truth is taught in Luke 10:25-37.

You said:
Otherwise you are going to have to include alcohol,

I wanted to make it clear that I believe that smoking and an extreme moderate use of alcohol does not condemn if they do so in ignorance. But these kinds of cases are rare and not the norm. Most know of the destructive nature of smoking and alcohol and they do not care about it's bad fruits and they simply partake of these drugs anyways despite the bad harm that they cause. In other words, they are not loving themselves or their neighbor. But yes, I believe if a Native American was saved by God's grace by a colonist back in the early days of America, and this Indian smoked and did not know it was wrong or harmful in any way, I believe it is possible he could be potentially saved because he sinned in ignorance. But most people today do not have this luxury.

You said:
junk food, sweets, cakes, sugar, dangerous sports etc into that category.

Comparing smoking to food is a poor argument. First, they are both bad for you. But one bad thing does not undo the responsibility in doing another bad thing. Second, smoking is not a requirement to live like food is required to live. So some people may eat certain things not really realizing that it is all that harmful. But smoking is not like that. Most people (Especially unbelievers) will admit smoking is bad for you. Just read up on government websites on the bad effects of smoking. Unbelievers know smoking is really bad, and it is highly destructive and addictive.

You said:
And just out of interest, do you carry a gun?

I believe in Jesus's teaching on New Testament Non-Resistance.

Nonresistance as Taught in the New Testament is Moral and Good.

Yes, I know what you and others may say. I am putting my life at risk when bad guys show up. Well, I am of the belief that God can protect us, and if we are to die or be persecuted it is to share in the sufferings of Christ (Which is a great honor). For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (and it would be in line with when God wants to take me home and in obeying His Word).

You said:
Where does the Bible say that then?

It's a piecing together of various different verses and not just one verse alone.
For nowhere will you find in God's Holy Word whereby He takes a believer home early because they sin.
On the contrary many verses talk about how sin is separation from God. Just click on the following spoiler button to check out the verses.

The Bible’s teaching that serious sin is separation from GOD,

[God said to Adam,]
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:17).

[Eve said to the serpent,]
"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Genesis 3:3).

And the serpent said unto the woman,
"Ye shall not surely die." (Genesis 3:4).

"...she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked..." (Genesis 3:6-7).

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12).

"For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23).

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2).

"Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears." (John 9:31).

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” (Psalms 66:18).

“...whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
(Matthew 5:22).

28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:28-30).

“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” (Proverbs 6:32).

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Important Note: If you were to look at 1 Thessalonians 4:3 you would learn that the will of God (i.e. the Father) is to be holy or it is our sanctification; And Hebrews 12:14 says, without holiness no man shall see the Lord.

“22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23 ESV).

“26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:26-27).

“15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20).

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Hebrews 10:26).

"he that commits sin is of the devil." (1 John 3:8).

"everyone who does evil hates the light." (John 3:20).

"Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." (Acts of the Apostles 8:22).

6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7).

"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4).

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15).

"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." (1 John 2:9).

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1 John 3:10).

41 "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,
42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13:41-43 ESV).

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16).

3 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing,..." (1 Timothy 6:3-4).

"...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
(James 4:6).

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." (Romans 11:21-22).

16 "There is a sin unto death..."
17 "...and there is a sin not unto death." (1 John 5:16-17).

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8).

19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21).

5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affe
ction, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them." (Colossians 3:5-7).

5 “...God;
6 ...will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” (Romans 2:5-12).

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” (Ezekiel 18:24).

9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. “ (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17).

"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:30).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

You said:
Where does it say that Jesus overcame the devil for us, has reconciled us to God, given us the Holy Spirit who guarantees our inheritance, every spiritual blessing and eternal life - but that can all be snatched away by man made cigarettes?

The Bible is not written in a way that we prefer. It is obvious that smoking is not loving yourself or your brother which are grevious sins in God's sight. It's obvious that smoking is slow murder. Most unbelievers know that smoking takes years off their life and it can lead to many health problems. This is a harmful substance and it is not a requirement for you to live. It is a sin. It will lead people to hell.

You said:
Yes, he can - but not because they have smoked.
Jesus was saying that many people might be afraid of those who can kill our bodies, but they should fear God, who can kill both body and soul.

ALL of Jesus' words have to be taken into account here. To believe in Jesus is to do more than just believe in the person of Jesus for salvation but it is to believe in everything He taught, said, and did, too. That's a part of the faith, too. To trust in what Jesus told us to do. Jesus says in Matthew 7:26-27 that everyone who does not do what He says is like a fool who built his house upon the sand and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house. Meaning, we will lose our salvation if we justify sin. For not everyone who says unto me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). It is the one who does the will of the Father who will enter. To see the will of the Father or the will of God, we learn in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 that God's will is our Sanctification.
 
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And because we need food to live is not a good argument for eating anything you want, chips,donuts,candy and a lot of stuff that is hazardous to our health. Feeding people hazardous food can be a slow killer.

Again, one bad thing does not undo another bad thing. Smoking causes your lungs to be black and causes all kinds of other serious health issues. This is not in any way close to the problems of various different foods. Although we should also eat healthy and not over eat, too. Also, smoking is not a requirement to live like food. Many people eat things without realizing the harmful side effects of it. But smoking is pretty obvious to most people that it is really really bad. People can see smokers coughing like they are dying. In truth to be told.... they are dying... but very slowly.
 
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I am quoting again the snippet from Pastor Cooper Adam's article, “Is Smoking a Sin?”

“...I am not a stranger to the effects of smoking. My sister Lelia died a horrible death over a three year period at 47 years old from lung cancer the doctors said was caused by cigarettes. My father also died from emphysema partly caused by smoking after years using cigarettes and cigars. My grandmother died at 76 smoking at least a pack of Lucky Strikes a day and had a terrible hacking cough. Clearly smoking shorten her life. They all knew that smoking was harmful and several times when I tried to urge them to quit because I was concerned for their health, they became angry and offended, telling me to mind my own business. For twenty years I do not remember any time I did not see my dad without a cigar in his mouth or in his hand. My sister smoked constantly lighting one cigarette with another. All died untimely deaths and I miss them and believe they would still be here if they had not smoked. Both my two younger brothers are presently smokers and I know they are headed for the same fate. (2005 update....one brother has quit!)

Over the years as a pastor I have been by the bed side of many people who were dying as a result of smoking and I have conducted many of their funerals. I have watched people whose lungs were so badly damaged they could not live without oxygen, remove the oxygen tube, coughing and gasping for breath light a cigarette and smoke it between their rasping coughs. I have seen the horrible pain caused as tobacco caused cancer in its final stages as it ate through the bodies of people coming through the skin.

I have seen the doctors increase the doses of morpheme until it had little or no effect on their pain. I have watched the pain of smokers having ugly fits of coughing and yet in a few minutes later light another cigarette. I actually have seen people put a cigarette to their trichotomy because tobacco caused cancer had destroyed their throats and they could no longer breath through their mouth or nose. It is no fun to watch someone dying from cancer or heart disease when you know was totally preventable and was caused by their addiction to cigarettes. When I see a young or a middle age person smoking I see their future and it concerns me deeply to know what probably lies ahead for them. Tobacco is a slow but merciless killer that first debilitates its victim and them methodically destroys their lives all the while giving their prey a murderous pleasure.

I have also watched professing Christians living spiritually defeated lives because of smoking. They knew it was wrong and because they could not overcome it they were affected spiritually. I have seen them as they tried to justify their sin gradually develop a rebellious spirit. I have seen it destroy people's faith in God because they were controlled by their addiction and could not seem to overcome it. I have seen professing Christian farmers who made most of their income by raising tobacco lie to themselves and to other claiming there was nothing wrong with smoking. In all my years as a pastor I have never seen any spiritually strong or mature Christian who smoked.”​

Source:
Is Smoking a Sin?

Please keep in mind that I do not agree with this Pastor's view of sin and salvation, but he makes a great point in that smoking is a sin, and how it destroys lives and how we must condemn it as believers. Let the reader understand.
 
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Neogaia777

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Again, one bad thing does not undo another bad thing. Smoking causes your lungs to be black and causes all kinds of other serious health issues. This is not in any way close to the problems of various different foods. Although we should also eat healthy and not over eat, too. Also, smoking is not a requirement to live like food. Many people eat things without realizing the harmful side effects of it. But smoking is pretty obvious to most people that it is really really bad. People can see smokers coughing like they are dying. In truth to be told.... they are dying... but very slowly.
This shows your ignorance even more, etc, I do not cough at all, and hardly ever get sick, etc, and I still do quite a bit of physical activity, etc, and some people find smoking as a kind of cure all for things like great stress and/or anxiety also, etc, that might even be better for them in the long run than some of the medications they might put them on for it, which are wrought with side effects and consequences that could kill them even sooner and even faster, etc, and one can be addicted to sugar or foods that are bad for them or overeating as well, and cannot quit or stop also, etc, of which I have no problems with, etc...

You really don't know about much, do you...?

Or maybe you just don't/didn't think enough maybe...?

Anyway...?

God Bless!
 
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Bible Highlighter

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For me, if after reading the Pastor's testimony in post #212 you are not moved emotionally by the loss of life, you need to check your spiritual pulse in Christ Jesus, my friends. So I beg of folks here to reconsider and to take a step back. Did God really give us liberty to put known poisons into our bodies and or partake of poisons that can harm others?
 
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Neogaia777

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For me, if after reading the Pastor's testimony in post #212 you are not moved emotionally by the loss of life, you need to check your spiritual pulse in Christ Jesus, my friends. So I beg of folks here to reconsider and to take a step back. Did God really give us liberty to put known poisons into our bodies and or partake of poisons that can harm others?
It's just only my life only, and I'm not harming any others, and please re-read my last post, etc...

God Bless!
 
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Isilwen

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For me, if after reading the Pastor's testimony in post #212 you are not moved emotionally by the loss of life, you need to check your spiritual pulse in Christ Jesus, my friends. So I beg of folks here to reconsider and to take a step back. Did God really give us liberty to put known poisons into our bodies and or partake of poisons that can harm others?

YOU have to remember that not everyone is where you are in your walk.

Shouldn't you give them the time that God gave you?
 
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Strong in Him

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So you agree that the sin in looking upon a woman in lust can destroy our souls? But before you said there was only one sin that can condemn.

There is.
If a non Christian looks lustfully at a woman, or even worse, then dies 5 minutes later, they will not be condemned solely because of that sin, but because they didn't trust in Christ for forgiveness or receive eternal life from him.
If a Christian looks lustfully at a woman and then dies 5 minutes later, they still have eternal life.

Unless you're suggesting that Christ's work on the cross can be negated by our actions?

This would only be past sins being forgiven because 1 John 1:9 teaches that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I know.
A person confesses that they have sinned against God, that however good they may have been their good deeds will not save them, trusts in Jesus for forgiveness and receives eternal life. They have been born again and are saved.

(if you hold to the popular candy coated version of Christianity that says that we can sin and still be saved on some level by having a belief alone in Jesus as the Savior).

Christians still sin; a person does not become perfect when they are born again.
But if we sin we have One who speaks to the Father on our behalf, 1 John 2:1. We also have the Spirit who convicts us of our sins so that we can confess and be forgiven.

No. Jesus says, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36).

"Give account of" is not the same as "lose your salvation because of".

So if a believer is teaching they can sin and still be saved they are going against the words of John because he says that he that does not righteousness and or loves not his brother is not of God. A person who is not of God is not saved.

But all Christians DO sin - none of us is 100% perfect in thought, word, deed or motive 24/7.
If we lost our salvation when we sinned and got it back when we repented, we'd all be in a constant state of having/losing our salvation - and getting to heaven would be a question of luck; depending on whether or not you had/lost it when you died.

We are saved by the gospel

Exactly - not by managing to stop smoking.
 
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Bible Highlighter

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To all:

I know for some who may think the way of Christ is a liberty to sin and do whatever they like, I know that there is a chance they may never see what I am talking about here. But I know one day they will see it at the Judgment. I pray that is not the case for anyone here, but I also have to face the reality that there is that possiblity. Do not be that person. My encouragement to all is... Do not live for yourself and the things of this world, but live for Christ and His good ways. I am sure you can find plenty of verses of how we must live for our Lord and reject ourselves and what we want and desire. For if we take a step back and look at the destruction our vices cause, we will see them for what they are (i.e. sin and how that leads to hell).

So I beg of you all, please talk to the Lord more about it and be open to the possibility that you may be wrong on this issue. For if I am wrong, there should be no harm done but leading people to stay away from a destructive drug that would take lives early. But if I am right, I shudder to think that my words will not be heeded here.

Anyways, please be well, and may God's good ways be upon you.

Sincerely,

~ BL. Highlighter.
 
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Neogaia777

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Everything is a trade-off @Bible Highlighter...

Until you can truly overcome everything...

And I'm just not fully there yet, etc...

Sorry if that upsets or offends you...

But I don't think you have any right at all to tell me I am going to hell for it, etc...

God Bless!
 
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YOU have to remember that not everyone is where you are in your walk.

Shouldn't you give them the time that God gave you?

That is why I am preaching now. The fact that they are still alive is a testimony to God's grace. But folks need to repent if they know the truth in how smoke kills themselves and others and they simply do not care to change. I believe some Native Americans who smoked were potentially saved back in the colonial days because they would not be aware of the medical knowledge we have today in that smoking kills. For they would be committing this sin in ignorance. But most people today do not have this luxury.
 
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