Smoking

[Ginny]

Is it a stumbling block to the person looking at the smoker?

Yes. It it can be to the Christian and non-Christian. People have high expectations of Christians.Whether one believes smoking is a sin or not, it can be judged as so.

.... the same principle used to call smoking inherently sinful could just as easily be used to say fast-food dining is inherently sinful.

Fast food dining itself is not, but gluttony is...if we want to go that far then is being overweight a sin? We could repeat the verse "1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

....but

People use that verse like the US Congress uses the Interstate Commerce clause of the Constitution. It's used to justify calling just about anything sin.

I Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

This is going in circles. Toke it up.

 

[ksen]

Toke it up.

Did you miss my post where I told you I don't smoke?

 

[mesue]

Am I the only one who thinks that 1 Corinthians might be talking about sin when it's referring to "destroying the temple"?

The previous verses are talking about our spiritual foundation being christ. The following verses are warning against considering ourselves wise and following human leaders over christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 is referring to teaching man to follow a false gospel, that is not based on Christ but the teachings of mans. That is destroying Gods temple.

Context, people. Context. It matters an awful lot.

You are using scripture falsely when you use those verses to state smoking is a sin. It may very well be, but not because of those verses.

We were created as physical beings as well as spiritual beings. Our temple is both physical and spiritual.
Smoking can destroy you physically and spiritually.
I believe in my heart that I had the passage in perfect context. I never said it was sin, I merely pointed out what God's word had to say about our bodies. If you were accusing me of using scripture falsely ... ummm ... ... I'm sorry you feel that way.

 

[M21]

Some of us just want a link that suggests smoking is a sin.

Please, feel free to provide one. (No, I won't accept a verse that condemns sexual immorality. Where's the link between the two?)

Smoking of itself would not be a sin, however, I believe addiction is. I believe that three days into you quitting and fiending for a smoke is not having the mind of Christ. If your not an addict then I suppose it's not a problem.

 

[Flynmonkie]

and chapter 10 (these verses apply to everything we do)...

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

--

Just for fun, how about the non-smokers in this thread take these verses and combine it with---

Galations 5:
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
7You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth? 8It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9But it takes only one wrong person among you to infect all the others--a little yeast spreads quickly through the whole batch of dough! 10I am trusting the Lord to bring you back to believing as I do about these things. God will judge that person, whoever it is, who has been troubling and confusing you.

Take some time to read the whole chapter to understand the spirit of what Paul is saying.

Just as a Husband and wifes relationship in marriage. If one is busy serving, and the other submitting - who has time for argument?

If we are too busy serving eachother as Christian brother and sisters....this conversation would not exist.

 

[Flynmonkie]

Smoking of itself would not be a sin, however, I believe addiction is. I believe that three days into you quitting and fiending for a smoke is not having the mind of Christ. If your not an addict then I suppose it's not a problem.

so I am sinning when I crave chocolate?

 

[M21]

so I am sinning when I crave chocolate?

Addiction: A compulsive physiological craving for a habit-forming substance, addiction is a chronic and progressive disease usually characterized by physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. The term "dependence" is often used synonymously to avoid the pejorative connotations of addiction.

Maybe since you are a woman

 

[Flynmonkie]

Maybe since you are a woman

Oh boy! Am I ever!

 

[mesue]

Paul goes on to say in Galatians, in that very same chapter:
Ga:5:13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Galatians 5:15: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:18: But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 5:19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21: 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 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:26: Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

We are under liberty to smoke. However cigarette smoke is a pollutant and a lust of the flesh is uncleanness, just something to consider if your looking for other verses.
Will I lose my salvation if I smoke?
As I said previously, no. I could pick up a cigarette right now and smoke it, die right after I have put it out, and go straight to Heaven. Because I know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior not because I quit smoking.
My witness to others may be destroyed, but my salvation is still intact.
I may lose my reward, but my salvation is still intact.

 

[Flynmonkie]

I posted this passage regarding unity amongst Christians. If we are too busy humbly serving with the fruits of the spirit. This conversation would not happen. Let the Holy Spirit do the convicting.

It is none of my business what someone eats, or over eats, or wears, or consumes. I am not worried about that as a Christian. I am worried about sharing the gospel in an effective manner, and it is safe to say there are many smokers, biker gangs, dancers, drinkers.....that need to realize exactly what you have said. It simply does not affect salvation.

Good for you, probably not. But as been mentioned many times in this thread....that can be said about many things. I have no problem with smokers or non-smokers. It is secondary to what my role here is. You know?

A selfish attitude destroys relationships

Phil 2:3
3Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.

James 4:1
1What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you?


An attitude of unselfishness develops relationships

Phil 2:44
Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.


An attitude of Disrespect destroys relationships

Proverbs 15:4
4Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.


An attitude of Respect develops relationships

1 Peter 2:17
17Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters.[a] Fear God. Show respect for the king.

* This verse is highly interesting 4 points to really study but the last part that says Show respect for your king...At this time it was Nero - (Foxes book of martyrs) A horrid wicked man. Yet the Bible says show respect!!!!IOW no matter how disgusting or mean you are treated. Show respect....very deep thought on this one

Romans 12:10
10Love each other with genuine affection,[a] and take delight in honoring each other.

*How Christians should act toward one another!


An angry attitude destroys relationships

Ephesians 4:26-27
26And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."[a] Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.
Do not let anger cause you to loose one of the most important fruits of the spirit – self control!


An attitude of forgiveness’ develops relationships

Col 3:13
13You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Make allowance for each others faults! AND FORGIVE! Lest we not be forgiven!

Proverbs 19:11
11People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.

We earn esteem by overlooking wrongs!!

I try to keep these verses handy. I feel until we have these things down pat, we don't have the ability to pass judgements. IMVHO

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

I don't know whether smoking is a sin or not. But what I do see is this. If something is harmful to a person AND those around them, what would you classify it to be? If a person who smokes wasn't smoking around other people, then there is no harm coming to other's bodies, but if they were smoking around others, they would be directly putting something harmful into another person. Whether it is a sin or not, putting something harmful into a friend or just another person couldn't be classified as good could it? Or like so many smokers tell me, a nonsmoker, "well you don't have to be around me when I do it." My response is, "Yey! That's fellowship!"

I think the biggest issue of smoking is how it effects those around us.

My wife smokes, all of my friends smoke and I hate it! It's disgusting, makes my wife unattractive, the smell is just so horrid, plus it's kind of hard to want to give my wife a kiss when she looks like smoke stack. So whether it is a sin or not it is something I abhor and personally think hurts a Christian's witness.

 

[mesue]

... If we are too busy humbly serving with the fruits of the spirit. This conversation would not happen...

This is true. If we were too busy humbly serving we wouldn't have time to post here.

 

[Smidlee]

Sin usually shorten ones life ... smoking shorten ones life.
I see the connection. Yet smoking doesn't do near the damage to the church as a gossiping tongues does. I don't smoke but I have been guilty of gossip before. As christians we should quit both of these bad habits.

 

[Tenorvoice]

Coming from a former smoker, even tho' I used to smoke, I think that it is the worst, nastiest habit that anyone can do.

I would love to see it outlawed in each and every public place. And this would include cars. There is nothing worse to me than getting into customers cars and feeling like I am sittin in an ash tray..

I also think that it is very stupid for resturants to place the smoking section either where you have walk through it to get to the bathroom or as you walk in the door.

And I would kindly like to ask any smoker that is posting in here. PLEASE do NOT stand infront of a buisness's front door smoking. There are many of use that are highly asmatic and alergic to it.

Thank you very much I am off my soep box now.