Do any of you smoke?

CounselorForChrist · Jan 21, 2012

I am saddened by how people think smoking is ok. Yes, its not a sin. But you ruining your temple. It seems like alot of christians find it ok to do bad things as long as the bible doens't say specificly what they are doing is a sin.

No wonder so many christians today are headed down the wrong path. Further proof is in all the studies that involve christians. Something like 48% of christians think its ok to have sex before marraige. It was in a book I read about how christians today are doing the "feel good message" when it comes to christianity instead of stating things how they are. Very sad to me.

And using the example of a coal miner getting sick as sin. Thats diffrent. Its your job. And logically I would think you might want to avoid that job if you know thats it causes problems. But, any job can give you health problems, so I guess thats diffrent.

SMoking is not a job. Its something a person chooses to do. Therefor you choose to ruin your temple which God says not to. I love robotics. So I guess if I apply this logic of "its ok to ruin my body since its not a sin", I will have my arms and legs cut off and replaced with cybernetics. Although in this case I would be helping my body. Regardlss though my point is still there. People not to stop trying to find loopholes in the bible so they can do bad things.

wayfaring man · Jan 21, 2012

Nanopants said:
I allow my heart to be purified through faith. To the pure all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.

Well, dear one,

It appears to this yet "impure" soul, that applying the statement, "all things are pure to the pure", towards something which is a "bad habit", in most every logically minded reckoning is horribly twisted.

But we're all still learning, aren't we ?

wm

Nanopants · Jan 21, 2012

wayfaring man said:
Well, dear one,

It appears to this yet impure soul, that applying the statement, "all things are pure to the pure", towards something which is a "bad habit", in most every logically minded reckoning is horribly twisted.

But we're all still learning, aren't we ?

wm

Apparently .

Nanopants · Jan 21, 2012

xfreakazoidx said:
I am saddened by how people think smoking is ok. Yes, its not a sin. But you ruining your temple. It seems like alot of christians find it ok to do bad things as long as the bible doens't say specificly what they are doing is a sin.

No wonder so many christians today are headed down the wrong path. Further proof is in all the studies that involve christians. Something like 48% of christians think its ok to have sex before marraige. It was in a book I read about how christians today are doing the "feel good message" when it comes to christianity instead of stating things how they are. Very sad to me.

And using the example of a coal miner getting sick as sin. Thats diffrent. Its your job. And logically I would think you might want to avoid that job if you know thats it causes problems. But, any job can give you health problems, so I guess thats diffrent.

SMoking is not a job. Its something a person chooses to do. Therefor you choose to ruin your temple which God says not to. I love robotics. So I guess if I apply this logic of "its ok to ruin my body since its not a sin", I will have my arms and legs cut off and replaced with cybernetics. Although in this case I would be helping my body. Regardlss though my point is still there. People not to stop trying to find loopholes in the bible so they can do bad things.

Here's the problem as I see it: If you think "bad" things are "physical" things, which are temporary, then how is it that you can perceive the things of the Spirit?

The problem is in the heart. If you don't fix the heart, removing "bad" things from your life is just like sweeping the problem under the rug. If you live to be 130, well, great, because if you never had a faith in Christ that changes your heart then those 130 years are all you're going to have.

znr · Jan 21, 2012

xfreakazoidx said:
I am saddened by how people think smoking is ok. Yes, its not a sin. But you ruining your temple. It seems like alot of christians find it ok to do bad things as long as the bible doens't say specificly what they are doing is a sin.

No wonder so many christians today are headed down the wrong path. Further proof is in all the studies that involve christians. Something like 48% of christians think its ok to have sex before marraige. It was in a book I read about how christians today are doing the "feel good message" when it comes to christianity instead of stating things how they are. Very sad to me.

And using the example of a coal miner getting sick as sin. Thats diffrent. Its your job. And logically I would think you might want to avoid that job if you know thats it causes problems. But, any job can give you health problems, so I guess thats diffrent.

SMoking is not a job. Its something a person chooses to do. Therefor you choose to ruin your temple which God says not to. I love robotics. So I guess if I apply this logic of "its ok to ruin my body since its not a sin", I will have my arms and legs cut off and replaced with cybernetics. Although in this case I would be helping my body. Regardlss though my point is still there. People not to stop trying to find loopholes in the bible so they can do bad things.

Processed food is also highly addictive and very bad for the body.

Read that and weep.

wayfaring man · Jan 21, 2012

zeener said:
I don't nec. disagree with you, that is for the most part.

What I do disagree with isn't coming from you at all. It's with those who condemn others. Do we not have a God who can identify with our struggles? then who here has the right to condemn a fellow believer for having a struggle? but I see a lot of that here in particular, on this board. Not so much in other areas on CF. That's interesting. Or maybe the condemnation is just doled out in more educated terms.

Anyway, you get no disagreement from me that smoking is harmful and should be avoided. However being someone who has struggled with this addiction to a great extent I have a lot of compassion for people who also struggle with it.

Well this is probably why you're here...to show the side of things which God and life have given you.

And yes, being uncompassionate isn't good.

Yet, we are to speak out for what's right and against what's wrong, so that the voice that The Lord has given us may be heard, and others may be encouraged, edified, warned, or admonished...whichever is fitting.

It's the ol' hate the sin but love the sinner paradox.

Hard to sometimes do, but what a beautiful blend when had in right combination !

We should also remember that even those who fail to be compassionate are crying out inside for love too !

Consider Saul, before he became Paul !

And May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless !

wm

wayfaring man · Jan 21, 2012

zeener said:
Processed food is also highly addictive and very bad for the body.

Read that and weep.

Did you mean - "Read that and wept" ?

znr · Jan 21, 2012

wayfaring man said:
Did you mean - "Read that and wept" ?

No.

You know what I meant.

znr · Jan 21, 2012

wayfaring man said:
Well this is probably why you're here...to show the side of things which God and life have given you.

And yes, being uncompassionate isn't good.

Yet, we are to speak out for what's right and against what's wrong, so that the voice that The Lord has given us may be heard, and others may be encouraged, edified, warned, or admonished...whichever is fitting.

It's the ol' hate the sin but love the sinner paradox.

Hard to sometimes do, but what a beautiful blend when had in right combination !

We should also remember that even those who fail to be compassionate are crying out inside for love too !

Consider Saul, before he became Paul !

And May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless !

wm

I think most people should be that which they want othes to see, rather than attempt to use words to explain what is and what is not sin. I don't get why some believers feel they are compelled to constantly correct others in their sin. This is weird. Just be the example.

CounselorForChrist · Jan 21, 2012

Processed food is also highly addictive and very bad for the body.

If you are comparing that to smoking its a bad example. Eating is something you have to do and you eat what is around you, unless of course you live on a farm/in the country where its all healthy. Smoking is not something you have to do.

I'm not sure how to word this right. Smoking is a choice. Eating is a choice to, but only to a certain degree. Without eating you die. Without smoking nothing happens...well technically you live!

Smoking can be avoided (yes I know its not easy) but most people will try to make an excuse for it by saying they need it because it calms their stress. I'm not saying it doens't obviously, but there are a million other things you can do that help with stress. Painting, taking a walk in a park, reading your bible...etc.

Tehcnically, is a sin in terms of you (er not you personally) tend to put smoking before God, like an idol. Again I am sure people will say thats not true but many smokers I've met will be broke for church and yet they have money for more cigs.

I realize no one is perfect, heck I am far from perfect! This is why I say people can do what they want. I simply throw my view out there and leave it at that. I never say people have to accept my view.

As for the original thing you said about proccessed food. I don't eat that stuff. Again I am not perfect and I have eaten it when I was younger (and stupid lol), but for years now I've stuck to healthy and fresh foods. Such as Chipotles.

I think most people should be that which they want othes to see, rather than attempt to use words to explain what is and what is not sin. I don't get why some believers feel they are compelled to constantly correct others in their sin. This is weird. Just be the example.

I could type a a book on what you just said. I get what your saying but for starters how can one be an example if others do not want to be taught? And if you get aggrevated by people pointing out someones sin, then how are these people suppose to learn?

Lastly, we are told in the bible to call our brothers (and sisters) on the carpet when they are in sin. Lastly christians should talk about this stuff. If we don't talk then we don't learn anything. We can't just live our lives and assume what we are doing is right.

simplemessenger · Jan 22, 2012

Reminisce said:
I do. Secretly. Why is it we have to hide this from other Christians? Is it a sin?

---------

I used to smoke, as they say, "like a chimney", but GOD, The Lord JESUS CHRIST in HIS great mercy took it from me, and much, much more, and I thank and praise GOD.

Cry out to HIM constantly to help you. The Lord [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, And of great mercy. - Pss 145:8

All things belong to GOD, including our bodies.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" - 1 Cor 6:19

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Rom_12:1

wayfaring man · Jan 22, 2012

zeener said:
I think most people should be that which they want othes to see, rather than attempt to use words to explain what is and what is not sin. I don't get why some believers feel they are compelled to constantly correct others in their sin. This is weird. Just be the example.

It's really not a case of either or...it's a case of doing both, using words and setting a good example...especially on a forum where words are one of the main ways of communicating.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. <-----> 1st Timothy 4:2

wayfaring man · Jan 22, 2012

Nanopants said:
Here's the problem as I see it: If you think "bad" things are "physical" things, which are temporary, then how is it that you can perceive the things of the Spirit?

The problem is in the heart. If you don't fix the heart, removing "bad" things from your life is just like sweeping the problem under the rug. If you live to be 130, well, great, because if you never had a faith in Christ that changes your heart then those 130 years are all you're going to have.

The two are not mutually exclusive -

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? <-----> Ezekiel 18:31

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: <-----> Ezekiel 11:19

It's a matter of both together - working out our own salvation, in cooperation, with The Lord working inside us too !

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. <-----> Philippians 2:12+13

According to how it's being revealed to this wayfaring man.

wm

Nanopants · Jan 22, 2012

wayfaring man said:
The two are not mutually exclusive -

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? <-----> Ezekiel 18:31

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: <-----> Ezekiel 11:19

It's a matter of both together - working out our own salvation, in cooperation, with The Lord working inside us too !

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. <-----> Philippians 2:12+13

According to how it's being revealed to this wayfaring man.

wm

Well, in response to this and to another post you made elsewhere, context is relevant.

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when [your eye] is bad, your body also [is] full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. -Luke 11:34,35

But immediately following this teaching, Jesus sits down to eat with the Pharisees...

When the Pharisee saw [it], he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. -vs 38,39

And the conclusion is very peculiar...

Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. -vs 40,41

Let's not forget that Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard.

3rdHeaven · Jan 22, 2012

I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago and now I vape (electronic cigarette).

My Doctor gave me two thumbs up for it and wished she could get her mother to switch!

lemon-aid stand · Jan 22, 2012

Reminisce said:
I do. Secretly. Why is it we have to hide this from other Christians? Is it a sin?

trust in the Lord.. He will take it out of your life if it is a stumbling stone.. i used to smoke.. 10 yrs now.. i got on my knees and asked Him to take it away.. i have never had a craving.. i failed several times before this.. i wish you all the success in the world.. the fact that you are asking is a sign that you are questioning it..

znr · Jan 22, 2012

wayfaring man said:
It's really not a case of either or...it's a case of doing both, using words and setting a good example...especially on a forum where words are one of the main ways of communicating.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. <-----> 1st Timothy 4:2

Over the past week I've decided to explore the OT sincerely, from the hebraic view point. I'm not, how do I say, not relating with Christianity with much success right now. I'm hanging out elsehwere where I feel I might fit in better. Jesus is Lord, this very simple truth is all I have to hang on to right now, the teachings and doctrine I once held near my heart are posing more questions than answers. I don't feel at home with people here on this board and I never have. I am a Christian but for how much longer I don't know. Everything I've learned is being tested and challenged, the only safe spot is Christ. He never changes. They say God is not the author of confusion, but that well may be the truth, or maybe that passage has been taken out of context too often. I'm rambling now because it's late and I'm tired and feel hallowed out. I'm starting over again, this time from a new OT perspective. wm, your prayers would be welcome ...

3rdHeaven · Jan 22, 2012

zeener said:
Over the past week I've decided to explore the OT sincerely, from the hebraic view point. I'm not, how do I say, not relating with Christianity with much success right now. I'm hanging out elsehwere where I feel I might fit in better. Jesus is Lord, this very simple truth is all I have to hang on to right now, the teachings and doctrine I once held near my heart are posing more questions than answers. I don't feel at home with people here on this board and I never have. I am a Christian but for how much longer I don't know. Everything I've learned is being tested and challenged, the only safe spot is Christ. He never changes. They say God is not the author of confusion, but that well may be the truth, or maybe that passage has been taken out of context too often. I'm rambling now because it's late and I'm tired and feel hallowed out. I'm starting over again, this time from a new OT perspective. wm, your prayers would be welcome ...

Don't let that bother you. Life is a never ending winding road, yes I'm thinking of the Beatles

A lot of turns, ups and downs.

I was involved in orthodox, catholic, and just about every flavor of Protestant and thro in some cults for good measure! I was also the opposite extreme for awhile. Drugs, booze, women, clubs, the fast lane! Came back home.

You will be amazed how often your life can change!

But I have to warn you, once your a believer, your always a believer

znr · Jan 22, 2012

3rdHeaven said:
Don't let that bother you. Life is a never ending winding road, yes I'm thinking of the Beatles

A lot of turns, ups and downs.

I was involved in orthodox, catholic, and just about every flavor of Protestant and thro in some cults for good measure! I was also the opposite extreme for awhile. Drugs, booze, women, clubs, the fast lane! Came back home.

You will be amazed how often your life can change!

But I have to warn you, once your a believer, your always a believer

I don't hope to deconvert. Quite the opposite I hope to find deeper meaning through the OT as it relates to the NT. Drugs, booze? been there. You must have misread something I said. I don't know.

3rdHeaven · Jan 22, 2012

zeener said:
I don't hope to deconvert. Quite the opposite I hope to find deeper meaning through the OT as it relates to the NT. Drugs, booze? been there. You must have misread something I said. I don't know.

Sorry if I did, I'm in front of 3 computers, and read you don't feel you have a lot in common with a lot of people here and figured I'd thro in my extremely interesting if not applicable story as a sort of hope?

Do any of you smoke?

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