Is smoking tobacco a sin?

[csmith8835]

I talked to a lady on the phone and she said sin is anything that we do that displeases God. Is smoking tobacco therefore considered a sin? I know we are supposed to keep our bodies pure and holy as it's a temple of the Holy Spirit but does that mean smoking is a sin?

 

[DavidTheGnome]

A person's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Smoking damages the body.
Think of it as similar to swinging a wrecking ball at a literal temple building.

 

[AlexB23]

I talked to a lady on the phone and she said sin is anything that we do that displeases God. Is smoking tobacco therefore considered a sin? I know we are supposed to keep our bodies pure and holy as it's a temple of the Holy Spirit but does that mean smoking is a sin?

Yep, it is a sin, but is forgivable. The two devotionals below are useful for your question.


Addictions devotional:

Ephesians 5:15-21 - Avoiding Addictions

New month, new Bible analysis. Today's analysis will be on Ephesians 5:15-21, with a sprinkling of other verses that discuss addictions. Date May 1, 2024 Verse Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because...

www.christianforums.com

Temple of the Spirit devotional:

Temple of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Study

Let's discuss 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Man, this verse is a heavy one for some people. A lot of us Christians, myself included have a degree of recklessness. While I do not smoke, or do any drugs, I sometimes did risky stuff due to my poor executive skills (ADHD and impulsivity, so I do not...

www.christianforums.com

 

[HTacianas]

I talked to a lady on the phone and she said sin is anything that we do that displeases God. Is smoking tobacco therefore considered a sin? I know we are supposed to keep our bodies pure and holy as it's a temple of the Holy Spirit but does that mean smoking is a sin?

In and of itself, no. It can become one if done in excess. Excessive smoking can become a lust. There are people who say that since smoking is bad for you it is a sin. But that would mean that smoking wasn't a sin before we knew it was bad for you. But if we are labelling everything that is bad for you a sin we have to call eating sugar a sin. Sugar kills more people than nearly anything else. So, is eating sugar a sin? As long as it isn't done in excess then no.

 

[com7fy8]

What is the real reason why you are smoking, if you are?

Is it because you consider it to be a good financial investment . . . now of maybe ten dollars a pack?

Is it because the second-hand smoke can damage a child or other adults?

Are you trying to set a good example for children so they can find out if they get addicted or not?

Or are you using the scent of the smoke on your clothing so people can smell you with that perfume?

Are you trying to fumigate your indoor relaxation space? Maybe that could work; there could be bugs that smell the smoke and know enough to get away from it . . . get outdoors!!

Or, are you trying to relax with the help of the cigarette?

In case you are doing it to relax, it could be that relaxation is the relief you feel when you satisfy your craving of being addicted to it.

Our Apostle Paul says >

"All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (in 1 Corinthians 6:12)