My Brothers and Sisters in Christ
I firmly believe we are born into bondage, for we are all born of the flesh. I see that we struggle everyday to not walk after the flesh and to keep our bodily temple clean. But I tell you this; we are all stuck in the bondage of this world. We are all guilty of walking in the flesh at many different parts of our lives, and probably every day.
When you crave a cigarette, and fulfill this craving, you're clanking your chains of bondage. But do not feel alone and troubled and feel sinful by this act. I am firmly convinced the act of smoking is not a sin. What you must realize, however, the BONDAGE/ADDICTION that comes from it is (I COR 6:12). Just like MY belief the act of drinking a beer is not sin (if your 21), but the addiction, and excess (drunkenness)(EPH 5:18) is. This is I believe is true and we are taught this by no less than our Lord Himself is, and His apostles. There is NOTHING in this world that can defile you. (MARK 7:15,ROM 14:14) You defile yourself by sin, which comes from within YOU. This can be applied to anything I believe. If we crave a candy bar, and fulfill that craving of the flesh, are we not walking in the flesh? Can you think of other things that fulfill the desires of the flesh? YES we are walking in the flesh, even though this is seemingly innocent. Not a one of us is perfect, or without sin. I am not advocating the denying yourself candy bars by all means, but trying to make a simple example. NOT one of us can save ourselves, NOT ONE.
So how do we break this bondage? Should we feel condemned at every act we do? The Lord knows that we will never be perfect in our fleshly bondage, but that does not mean you stop trying to fight, and just commit sin. I think that if we make a commitment to the Lord, and try every day to fulfill that commitment, He knows your heart is in the right place. As a former smoker of 15 years I take this day by day. I fast, and refuse myself to fulfil the flesh. Sometimes I break, but I pray and pick up my cross the next day and continue on. Your cleanliness will come from the heart, constant prayer, and confession of sin.
There is a saying that; "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions". That I think is what we need to be careful of. Do not accept the fact that you're addicted to something and continue in this. What you need to do is keep a commitment to break the bondage of addiction. If you break down and allow yourself a smoke, continue your struggle. This is a daily struggle that may be with us all of our lives. Do not condemn yourself in your heart because you broke, for we have an advocate with our Lord. (ROM 14:22)
This life is full of vices every where you turn. Overeating, Sugar Cravings, Too much TV, etc. The list is forever and ever. Think about it. Defilement does not come from the world. (ROM 14:14, ROM 14:21) If this was true, then the enemy just has to feed us something unclean to prevent our salvation. The enemy, the Devil wants you to feel condemned, and to give up. Realize this, and be happy with yourself. Live for the Lord, understanding WE are NOT perfect and break the chains, YOU CAN. He will give you the strength to break them. The Lord will finally break our bondage of the flesh, when we are changed, in the twinkling of an eye.
It is perfectly OK for someone to believe it is a sin to smoke or drink. That is VERY a good way to live. Many doctrines teach this, and there is NOTHING wrong with this doctrine. Smoking is a very very addictive habit that I can personally testify to. We all should respect this doctrine, and those who keep it. (ROM 14:14-23)
Life is a daily struggle, but the Law cannot condemn us because we accepted his Gift. (GAL 3:22-25). The Lord Jesus Christ made sure of that in his covenant with us, if we are led in the Spirit (GAL 5:1-26)(GAL 2:15-17). Every stripe he took for our sin counts. We struggle to not be chained by this world, in our thankfulness and Love for Him. He knows who is His. I hope you find some consolation and strength in these words.
May the Lord Bless us all in our struggles.
(Do not take anything I say as a fact, for in Life I find my self very, very painfully wrong MOST of the time. This is my personal belief only)
I firmly believe we are born into bondage, for we are all born of the flesh. I see that we struggle everyday to not walk after the flesh and to keep our bodily temple clean. But I tell you this; we are all stuck in the bondage of this world. We are all guilty of walking in the flesh at many different parts of our lives, and probably every day.
When you crave a cigarette, and fulfill this craving, you're clanking your chains of bondage. But do not feel alone and troubled and feel sinful by this act. I am firmly convinced the act of smoking is not a sin. What you must realize, however, the BONDAGE/ADDICTION that comes from it is (I COR 6:12). Just like MY belief the act of drinking a beer is not sin (if your 21), but the addiction, and excess (drunkenness)(EPH 5:18) is. This is I believe is true and we are taught this by no less than our Lord Himself is, and His apostles. There is NOTHING in this world that can defile you. (MARK 7:15,ROM 14:14) You defile yourself by sin, which comes from within YOU. This can be applied to anything I believe. If we crave a candy bar, and fulfill that craving of the flesh, are we not walking in the flesh? Can you think of other things that fulfill the desires of the flesh? YES we are walking in the flesh, even though this is seemingly innocent. Not a one of us is perfect, or without sin. I am not advocating the denying yourself candy bars by all means, but trying to make a simple example. NOT one of us can save ourselves, NOT ONE.
So how do we break this bondage? Should we feel condemned at every act we do? The Lord knows that we will never be perfect in our fleshly bondage, but that does not mean you stop trying to fight, and just commit sin. I think that if we make a commitment to the Lord, and try every day to fulfill that commitment, He knows your heart is in the right place. As a former smoker of 15 years I take this day by day. I fast, and refuse myself to fulfil the flesh. Sometimes I break, but I pray and pick up my cross the next day and continue on. Your cleanliness will come from the heart, constant prayer, and confession of sin.
There is a saying that; "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions". That I think is what we need to be careful of. Do not accept the fact that you're addicted to something and continue in this. What you need to do is keep a commitment to break the bondage of addiction. If you break down and allow yourself a smoke, continue your struggle. This is a daily struggle that may be with us all of our lives. Do not condemn yourself in your heart because you broke, for we have an advocate with our Lord. (ROM 14:22)
This life is full of vices every where you turn. Overeating, Sugar Cravings, Too much TV, etc. The list is forever and ever. Think about it. Defilement does not come from the world. (ROM 14:14, ROM 14:21) If this was true, then the enemy just has to feed us something unclean to prevent our salvation. The enemy, the Devil wants you to feel condemned, and to give up. Realize this, and be happy with yourself. Live for the Lord, understanding WE are NOT perfect and break the chains, YOU CAN. He will give you the strength to break them. The Lord will finally break our bondage of the flesh, when we are changed, in the twinkling of an eye.
It is perfectly OK for someone to believe it is a sin to smoke or drink. That is VERY a good way to live. Many doctrines teach this, and there is NOTHING wrong with this doctrine. Smoking is a very very addictive habit that I can personally testify to. We all should respect this doctrine, and those who keep it. (ROM 14:14-23)
Life is a daily struggle, but the Law cannot condemn us because we accepted his Gift. (GAL 3:22-25). The Lord Jesus Christ made sure of that in his covenant with us, if we are led in the Spirit (GAL 5:1-26)(GAL 2:15-17). Every stripe he took for our sin counts. We struggle to not be chained by this world, in our thankfulness and Love for Him. He knows who is His. I hope you find some consolation and strength in these words.
May the Lord Bless us all in our struggles.
(Do not take anything I say as a fact, for in Life I find my self very, very painfully wrong MOST of the time. This is my personal belief only)
