A reader asks:
I smoke. Is that a sin? Should I quit smoking? I think people automatically assume I’m not a Christian because I smoke. I really struggle with it.
My answer:
We all struggle with sin. One person’s gluttony or lack of exercise (unhealthy habits) is no better than your struggle with your physically unhealthy habit. Smoking destroys your body, wastes money (health costs, stinky clothes and cars, it’s hard on your teeth, loss of productivity, etc.) and arguably hurts your testimony (which you have experienced since you admit many people don’t think you are a Christian because you smoke). So in that context, we can surely say smoking is a bad choice for Christians, but…
To declare all smoking dogmatically “a sin” is simply going beyond what the Bible says. Is smoking a cigar occasionally a sin? Many notable Christians smoked pipes and cigars. Before the destructive nature of cigarettes became known, lots of faithful and sincere Christians smoked. As with all sin that is not specifically listed in Scripture (such as lying, adultery, gluttony, drunkenness, etc.), it only becomes a “sin” at the moment God convicts us individually to “stop” and we do not. I get the same questions about “drinking a beer”. For some Christians, it’s not an issue… for others, God’s has convicted them personally “no!” so for them it is a sin. I think given the nature of cigarettes it is surely only a matter of time and maturity before any Christian becomes convicted they should cease the habit.
Once God convicts you that “you should stop” and you do not, then it would be a sin for you because you are not obeying God’s will in your life. To come to that conviction about smoking is usually a simple process, just answer these questions: 1) If your body is created by God and is a “holy temple”, does cigarette smoking do undeniable damage to that temple?; 2) smoking is pretty expensive, is that a good use of the financial blessings God has given you? 3) is it true that smoking can be a real obstruction to your testimony as Christian? 4) if the Christian life is about victory over “living in bondage to physical desires” (ie. “the flesh”) should you stop any habit that keeps you addicted to or bound to some physical desire that dictates much of your life?
We don’t need to legalistically pronounce smoking a “sin” (when the Bible does not) to wisely bring the maturing Christian to a point where they clearly see that smoking is a bondage God would have us free of. In fact, the prudent UN-believer would come to the same conclusion just based on health and financial reasons. When you add spiritual and Biblical reasons to the equation, it’s only a matter of time before a genuine Christian will realize their need to stop smoking.
God promises us the the strength and power to overcome the flesh, so every Christian is capable of kicking any habit including cigarettes. Don’t fall for the perpetual victim or endless recovery nonsense the world promotes today. God is greater than any drug, habit or desire and He will give you the strength to beat it if you only ask Him to and keep your focus on Him.
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at 4:26 pm
I think you answered this wonderfully. I am 33 yr old female, Christian, and have been smoking since I was 8yrs old. I quite several times and finally beat the habbit a few years ago. I felt that it was simply in my best interest, along with my family, and my God that I was to quite. I believe that it worked this time because I let Him lead me to. I still have cravings all the time, but not the want or need. To me thats a blessing.
at 1:33 pm
I used to be a heavy smoker, 70 to 80 a day.
In January 2000 I went on a missions trip to Vietnam.
One of the conditions was that anyone who smoked was not allowed to on the trip because it would be seen as hypocritical by the Vietnamese.
Come the time to leave Sydney (Australia) gave my smokes and lighter to my wife, she said what are you going to do. I said I will worry about it when I get back. 8.5 hr flight to Bangkok, got off the plane, walked into the terminal, couldn’t stand the smell of cigarettes, couldn’t bear to be near them. Haven’t had one since, no craving, no withdrawal, no mood swings, no weight gain and after many health checks since, my doctors and specialists cannot find any evidence that I ever smoked.
Your right, when God says to you “now is when to give it up” just do it! Trust Him, you won’t regret it.
at 2:09 pm
That’s a great story Ray… thanks for sharing it. Let’s pray that gives some courage and faith to others who want to quit.