What are your views on smoking?

[DutchChristian]

sin = sin

Christ said nothing you put into your mouth makes you a sinner.

i have a problem with this here statement.

Because it is not good just to take a line like that, in my opinion. It must be placed in the right context. Besides that here is what Lord Jesus actually Said: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

By what a person says / comes out of the mouth they get defiled and not by what goes inside of the mouth (foods) when you eat you will not be able to defile yourself not even if it is with unwashen hands!

But the Pharisees were hypocrites: He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. This is part of what was Spoken by The Lord Jesus In answering this (Mark 7:6-13) here particular question (Mark 7:5): Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? that the Pharisees and scribes asked Him because they found fault. Pharisees were hypocrites judging and condemning The Lords disciples.

Otherwise some people might go ahead and think if:

Christ said nothing you put into your mouth makes you a sinner.

is true then this might meanto some that someone mat interpret and understand this as in: i might as well put a marihuana bowl in my mouth and inhale the drugs, or put something of another man's body part in my mouth and commit sodomy because hey... nothing can make me a sinner whatever i put in my mouth not even the act of sodomy.

i hope you see the ERROR!

Because if anyone puts something into their mouth that does not belong there they SIN: that can be a whole bottle of strong drink, or any kind of narcotic DRUGS, or acts of sodomy etc.

The Lord was only Speaking about FOOD and not about the other terrible unclean things!

Back to basics, The subject is:

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Lord Jesus Was Talking about eating food and them judging falsely (about condemning the eating of bread with unwashen hands and finding fault with the disciples) and although we may eat and this will not defile us that does not mean that this is a license or a free-pass to just go and put anything in your mouth whatever you want to! Food is allright but not the narcotic Drugs and such and such..

Lord Jesus is talking about the regular eating here (eat bread) with unwashen hands in this context, please read:

Mark 7:
18 And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

The purging of what?

purging of All meats indeed! Meats / foods are harmless they cannot defile you!

but go into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats

This is just talking about regular eating, not about the abuse of the human body with drugs and excessive drinking and fornication.

OR of drinking a bottle of strong drink! GOD FORBID!

Because that will make the one who does that drunk and so become defiled being a drunkard. And so it will defile you because drunkenness is sin.

Because anyone who is drunk (and has not repented of being drunk) is called a drunkard and we all should know that The Bible The Word of God Says:

1 Corinthians 6:
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

So at the end of the day:

Sin = still sin regardless of how well wrapped and clothed it looks and of a nice present ribbon it might have, it still STINKS and sin is sin it's wages is always unto DEATH!

we cannot and never should justify it in any way shape or form!

SIN is what the problem is! Sin is what caused and causes the separation between us and GOD

Romans 6:
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And furthermore the human body was not made for to inhale the poisonous smoke of tar filled cigarettes but to be a Living sacrifice unto GOD

Romans 12:
1 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.

God Bless and May He Give us all more Understanding of His Word in Jesus Name Amen
dutch

 

[spirit1st]

The problem is ? Telling people things are sin , that are not sin ? Can hurt many , maybe even keep some from eternal life ?
It ok to tell some , that certain things give a bad testimony or hurt the weak flesh ! But too call it sin , which is rebelllion again God is Not a good thing !

Our Words have great meaning ! They can bring life to some and death to others ! They are important ! We need to know GOD living words and understand them !

Rom_14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Mat_15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Mat_15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mar_7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
Mar_7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
Mar_7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Mat_12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

1Co_8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Joh_17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

We want to lift up others , satan already beating all down !

 

[brakelite]

The God I know does not want anyone to be addicted to anything, at any time. Period. Why? Because He wants us to be free agents and not under bondage to anyone or anything. To be in bondage to anything makes that thing an idol. However, He also understands we are but animated mud. We are weak, and He is patient. He waits. And waits. All the while gently convincing, persuading, encouraging us to be willing to live in His will and not our own. He doesn't condemn, nor accuse, but sends His Spirit to sweetly love us into submission.
The time comes however when we are all called to make that final decision. The wooing has been going on long enough. We are convinced, convicted, yet we stubbornly choose to live our own way doing our own thing. Much like the Satanic commandment. Do what thou wilt. At this point things get serious. It is no longer a matter of what we are putting in our mouths. Its a matter of obedience. Of submission to authority. Jesus' authority. Then our refusal and stubbornness becomes sin. When we know what to do to do good, but refuse. We allow our stubborn stony hearts to rule over the fleshly hearts God has graciously given us. Stony hard-hearted self willed Christians are not fit for the kingdom.
Praise God for His long-suffering. Tobacco is just one of a zillion problems that mankind have to deal with in their spiritual walk. Praise God for His patience. He waits, and waits. Then one glorious day we decide enough is enough, and we confess our helplessness and He takes away the bondage and we are set free! Praise God for His power! All we need do is decide in favour of the right, and let Him do the rest.

As for judging when in any individual the time has come when a habit becomes disobedience, I think I will leave that one for God.

 

[DHC]

Hello all.

Wow, this thread definitely generated some emotions. I know that smoking is the sacrificial
lamb in our society, but it does generate tremendous tax revenue. There is a bigger elephant
in the room though. Over eating will soon be the number one killer, obesity affects I think over 50%
of society now. I have never seen so many over weight people as in the last ten years.

They are not only obese but super lazy, they drive everywhere and never walk.

As for which of the two problems, smoking or obesity is worse, I would lean
towards obesity. There are few obese people in retirement villages but there
are plenty of smokers. Mmmmm I wonder sometimes.

Do Christians actually fast?

 

[AbbysAunt]

I've never smoked, but have been around those who have for most of my life. They way I see it is like this... cigarettes are dangerous to the lungs and body and
do damage, but there are other things we are guilty of doing that are just as dangerous and not good for the body. Two examples that I can think of off the top
of my head are over eating and drinking to much alcohol. My dad smoked for years as well as my sister and mom, but praise God by His hand he has delivered
them all from this habit.

My dad was delivered when he got the flu and though he admits he did try to smoke he just couldn't due to his chest and lungs hurting so much and coughing.
my mom was delivered after she prayed and prayed and gave it all to God and my sister she has never touched another cigarette since she became pregnant
with her first child and now that child is turning 11 in a few days. All different ways the Lord delivered but yet from the same addiction. We serve such an
Awesome God!

I believe this habit is bad for the body and can and sometimes does result in sickness in our bodies. Second hand smoke is also dangerous to others who
are in the same place and have no choice but to inhale it or deal with it. I have what I believe is an allergy to cigarette smoke because me eyes tend to
water and I cough a lot when I'm around it.

All that being said I certainly don't judge anyone who does smoke because I myself am not guiltless when it comes the fact that I haven't taken care of
my body the way I should with my over eating. Scripture tells us we are not our own, but that God owns this body, lives in this body and that our body
is the temple of the most High and we are to take care of it and present it to Him as pure.

1Cor. 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. Whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Let's not judge one another, but pray for one another that whatever it is that God would help us to take better care of our bodies and deliver us from those things
we know are not healthy for our bodies and help us to take better care of ourselves for only for us but first and foremost for Him who died for us and paid the price
for us on that cross.

God bless you brothers and sisters
AA

 

[Brighthouse]

WOW!!!! Some very tough words in here on this subject!! Nothing like a little condemnation to hurt anothers day. LOL ( rom 8:1) I like all of you know and understand anything that has to do with the flesh in never a good thing! We are all a work in progress,and sometimes that progress can be hampered by others who look to point there fingers at what they judge as being sin in there own lives. And look to conform you to there standards of living.(Rom 14:13-23) How is it that many brothers and sister look to what a person does on the outside as being good or bad?

When I was a smoker,early in my Christian walk I was in a baptist College.Oh dear!!! Smoking was sure a stumbling block to most of them for sure!! So the Lord reminded me of this scripture. Rom 12:3 If you are going to present me to them,you will need not to have a cig in your mouth doing so! Paul so he would not cause others to stumble cut his hair. So where does it seem is there any freedom in the things we may still do? Like have a drink of wine from time to time,this also can cause many to become upset! So where is a brothers or sisters freedom,when those who call themselves brothers and sisters of the Lord point and judge another in there walk?( john 13:34) ( john 14:7!!)

What makes my life better then anothers? Because I do not smoke or drink? What makes our life better brothers and sisters is presenting to others your good fruit in Jesus you have! LOVE< GRACE,yes compassion! I never heard Jesus speak to the people on there lack,but rather upon his love which covers there lack. I know many will disagree with me on this,many say but mark, you will know them by there fruits!! True,but before we can judge another by there fruits, should we not look to clean up our own backyard so that others can see ours? Can a person who smokes and drinks in there own freedom be saved? Who am I to judge them??

I know many will not take kindly to my words,but that is ok,I did not take to kindly to some of your either hehe. The final result for us believers is not who is right or wrong in the life style,but rather how they can draw Jesus by there lifestyle.Having good fruit,does not mean to consider another tree,but rather bloom and draw others in love for comfort and peace in there's. Consider this my good brothers and sisters.I do not tell anyone what or how they should live,it is enough for me to become accountable myself to my Jesus.In both words and deeds!( matt 10:36) And if my words condemn another in the freedom they believe they have in Christ Jesus,where does that leave me in my freedom? Just a thought all.

 

[shorty50]

GOd does not dwell in our flesh! Nothing entering our flesh body Defiles us ! Because our bodies are not HOLY and never will be ! What we speak is what defiles us , Because it comres from our Heart [Spirit] Listen smoking not good! Nor is lots of stuff we do in the flesh ! But it not Sin ! unless we are doing it against GOD ! But if we call anything Sin ? Then it is Sin to Us ! Much in the churches they teach is really evil ! Making people judge others and even bring judgment on them selves! People will look down on other they think are sinning! Then we messing up !
Because GOD sees All of us 100% sinners in the flesh! Only our Spirit after salvation is perfected !

Mat_15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Mar_7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Isa_42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Mat_12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Not sure What this smoking Flax is ?
But we need to stop judging others in so much junk !

It only hurts us and them !

We not here to look down on others but to lift them up!

So many have been turned away from churches for so many dumb things ! This does not please GOD!

2Co_10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
There are sin that we should not be allowing! But even them ? If they repent ? then we can fellowship with them again !

Rom_14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

We do not need to be looking for reasons to look down on any ! If we think someone is living in Sin? then we pray for them or fast for them ! the devils are the one who beat others down NOT US

amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well said

 

[Brighthouse]

Rom 2:1-4!!!! enough said by me. verse 4!!! The Scribes and Pharisees did much the same thing to the people ,and Jesus called them a brood of vipers!!( matt 12:34-37!!) same principle as rom 2:1-4! Brothers and sister i have learned the heartache of judging others! I shall NEVER!! EVER!!! do that again! Grace, like the entire fruit of the Spirit is not just for you,but is to always be given! In this way we know we believe when we love one another! I say this in love, then we judge??LOL Judgement does not come from love,love is never arrogant, judging always is,no matter how you say it or do it!( 1 cor 13:4-8!)

 

[AbbysAunt]

Hi BrightHouse,

I like what you had to say, but at the same time am questioning something. Why is it if someone disagrees
with someone they are automatically judging? Can't a person disagree just because on a personal level
they believe for themselves it's not right or a sin? My parents for years smoked I disagreed with them that
it wasn't a big deal, does that mean I judged them or condemned them? Nope it means I just didn't agree
with them. For me this physical body is where my Lord and Savior reside, He formed this body and made
me, He bought me with a price which was his life and my body is not my own. It says this in the bible that
we are not our own that means our souls and physical bodies belong to God and if I say that for me taking
care of this body is important and I believe anything that defiles it is wrong then am I condemning or judging?

For me personally I know where I came from and yes at one time food had control over me and I over
ate and didn't take care of this body so for me to judge would make me a hypocrite and it wouldn't
be fair. I'm not anyone's judge that is God Himself. However I think we should be able to disagree and be
able to discuss things like adults and not feel attacked or be accused of judging or condemning others.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Hi BrightHouse,

Why is it if someone disagrees with someone they are automatically judging? Can't a person disagree just because on a personal level
they believe for themselves it's not right or a sin? My parents for years smoked I disagreed with them that it wasn't a big deal, does that mean I judged them or condemned them? Nope it means I just didn't agree with them. For me this physical body is where my Lord and Savior reside, He formed this body and made me, He bought me with a price which was his life and my body is not my own. It says this in the bible that we are not our own that means our souls and physical bodies belong to God and if I say that for me taking care of this body is important and I believe anything that defiles it is wrong then am I condemning or judging?

Well said sister @AbbysAunt

Certainly when this thread was started there was no intention of being judgmental by raising the topic ......the hope was that a healthy discussion would develop.

I understand what you are saying @Brighthouse
I went to a church service once where a preacher shouted in condemnation about smokers and the evil of smoking
It was terrible....no love, no care and more importantly no Jesus.....just hell fire and condemnation

However, on a personal level....and any help here would be appreciated

Everyday I see someone very very dear to me, a smoker who is a Christian cough violently and uncontrollably.
He loves the Lord dearly.....yet in his own words not mine.....he says he is trapped by this addiction that is damaging his body and he knows it is not glorifying to the Lord

Smoking won't affect his salvation, it won't make the Lord love him less but by his own admission he says he realizes it is affecting his relationship with the Lord

I don't agree with his smoking habit, but at the same time I don't judge him.....and if he chooses to talk about it I try to encourage him that in the Lord's strength he can do all things which includes giving up smoking. I pray this is love rather than judgement.


I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!
Philippians 4:13


.

 

[Brighthouse]

hi sister AbbysAunt! Oh I understand fully what you are saying sis!! If you as a child did something that displeased your parents,they may have frowned at you for what you did,but if they would always have reminded you of of the same incident day in and day out,you would stay away from them as much as possible! I sure did!! LOL You may be right in how you think, but wrong in the words you choose to use to them about it.( col 4:6)

It is not through fear of sickness WE look to change them,but rather through God's love,the same love he had for us when he frowned on things we did,but left those deeds in the sea of forget full ness( Psalm 103:11-14!) As we are to do. It is not the thoughts which can hurt us sis,it is rather the mindset of speaking some of those thoughts that can. You see sis i still smoke myself. Does not the Lord use me in his will here? The body is his temple,it is not the temporal things that hurt the temple but that which is eternal which can!! 2 cor 4:16-18!! verse 18! Religion has hurt many fine believers into thinking in mans way,I never saw Jesus ever condemn people, only those like the Scribes and Pharisees who practiced such things to others while they themselves had weakness.

So do we all have a weakness in certain areas of our life? Well I sure do,and the reason for this weakness I have in myself,is so I am always reminded to give the very same grace as Jesus does me sis.The purpose of weakness is to be content in them,because through them we are ever dependent upon our Jesus daily!( 2 cor 12:9-10) Of course when a church calls me to speak, I sure do not smoke,for I would not have them to stumble! But since Jesus has given us freedom,do not use that freedom into an opportunity for the flesh,like condemning others,but through what sis?? amen LOVE SERVE!!!!! one another!( gal 5:13)

Service is done in words of love as well as by action of love as you well know!( james 1:22) My own weakness, does not prove I am weak,but rather that I depend upon our Jesus who is strong.As we all should who have weakness. And who among us does not have weakness in some area of our life? LOL I understand that every mindset is not this way,and the reason is by our choice not to set our minds this way. But when we do choose to set our mind on the things which are above and not on earth( Col 3:2) our words also will change to others as well.

Hope this helps you understand me better sis,for weakness is just that, unless we look to our Jesus,for in our self we find reason to look down at some,when we are to serve them.( rom 12:3) To hold anything against anyone is giving them the satisfaction of keeping our minds on the earth,this is why forgiveness is so very important! Jesus did not give us that satisfaction to hold sin against us,why should his children? hehe I know many will not agree with me on this,that is ok with me,I am under no bondage,the question we all need to ask ourselves is are we? I had to do this for me sis,my reward is peace,and the very comfort of being able to give that same peace Jesus gave me,for we cannot give to another something we ourselves do not have. Blessing sis!

 

[AbbysAunt]

Hi Brother BrotherHouse,

I see what you are saying. Be careful of the words we use so we don't come off as condemning. Lately I've been studying
the bible about the mouth and tongue and have written down a few bible verses about how we should use or words
to uplift and to be helpful never in a hurtful, angry, bitter or hateful way. Not only does this not help others around us it
grieves the Holy Spirit who lives with in us.

Thank you for the gentle reminder my friend and brother

God bless
AA

 

[james1523]

Our bodies are a temple, and other's bodies are temples too. If we want to ruin our temple, that's our choice, but we need to think about how it impacts the physical and emotional health of others, particularly our family.

 

[William Christopher]

Smoking does not advance the Kingdom of God.

 

[Chad]

This subject gets a little tricky. Let me explain a few things.

First, I enjoy fine cigars. Cigars, you do not inhale unlike cigarettes and hookah. The smoke stays in your mouth. Also, cigars are not bad habits like cigarettes where the nicotine just grasps your control.

Now, I certainly agree in treating our temple respectfully as Scripture states. I do. My little resume is this: I eat almost 100% organic food despite how costly it is. I've worked out religiously every day for the last 15-20 years including weightlifting mainly. I thank GOD I'm healthy, no health issues and I'm in shape. All glory to Him.

Here's the tricky part. What do you eat? Where do you live? How clean is the air you breath? If you live in a big city like NYC or any big smoggy city in China, isn't that extremely unhealthy to your lungs? Food these days, I don't need to explain this. Processed food, frozen food, sugar, more sugar, fats, artificial this and that, lies, diet lies, etc. Which is worst? GMO is like the devil of food these days.

I would easily say the dirty air and unhealthy food/diets people live in and live by are just as bad, if not worst than cigarettes. I personally cannot stand the smell of cigarettes for the record.

A few good articles to consider reading

Monsanto’s Dirty Dozen | Talk Jesus
Truth on Aspartame | Talk Jesus

 

[William Christopher]

I would easily say the dirty air and unhealthy food/diets people live in and live by are just as bad, if not worst than cigarettes.

"It's not AS BAD AS" -> Jesus isn't your standard -> Probably not right

At the very least, this thread stands as a testimony of the detrimental damage tobacco can and does cause in the lives and walks of believers; the only justification you present for its use is your own pleasure.

 

[Chad]

the only justification you present for its use is your own pleasure.

Nice judgmental, presumptuous attitude. I suggest you change it if you want to be a member of this community. Further, you're wrong. Don't assume what's inside someone's heart.

Go look in the mirror and work on yourself before pointing at me or anyone for that matter, and making passing statements about what they're up to.

 

[Travis]

Personally, I have an incredibly addictive personality (if that's the right phrase). Smoking tobacco is sinful for me to do, because it instantly becomes bondage to me. My flesh is not stronger than tobacco, it wins every time, so I leave it be. My lungs have enjoyed this decision of mine.

I could maybe do a cigar every once in a while. IDK, I'm too chicken to try I guess I don't enjoy the thought of feeding my nicotine cravings.

Travis

 

[Chad]

Here's some food for thought for everyone

- do you eat organic food or food with GMO? Most foods are unnatural, have GMO, and not organic
- do you drive an automobile? You're adding pollution to the air, which affects our lungs and the ecosystem
- are all your clothes not made in a sweatshop somewhere in a 3rd world country? All those famous brands people buy including H&M, Gap, are made in sweatshops
- do you recycle?

It's easy to point fingers, but let me remind everyone no one stands innocent before GOD on their own accord.

I'm thinking the Amish people just might have the right idea

 

[Br. Bear]

I'm thinking the Amish people just might have the right idea

growing a beard is a good start!

Greetings,
Bless you all and remember one and all, to keep the bond of peace amongst yourselves for it is such a peace that cost such a price and should always be our first and highest priority, both here and everywhere that we interact and have fellowship.

Bless you ....><>