Smoking

Someone once asked if they could get to heaven if they smoked, to which the answer was:
"sure! and you will get there faster!"


Seriously though. Are you saved by works or grace?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Ephesians 2:8)

So, you aren't going lose your salvation, if you truly are saved no matter what you do.

Also, just where in the Bible does it say it is wrong to smoke anyway?

I don't smoke, but I eat chocolate. Anyone who says smoking is a sin is adding to the law.
Also, anyone that tells you that you can lose your salvation has no understanding of God's grace in salvation.

I hope this helps.

 

I agree that it won't keep you out of heaven - rejecting Jesus will do that.

But, it is an unhealthy habit (not to mention expensive). I pray that God would take the desire to smoke from you, and relplace with with a desire for Him and His Word.

 

It is unhealthy and expensive.
Until I quit all things that are bad for me and cost me money though, I am not going to get onto someone else for smoking.

BTW, Charles Spurgeon smoked.
Charles Spurgeon died also.

Jack Hyles, I believe, didn't smoke. Jack Hyles died.

So, you will die either way. This is a subject that is between each man and God.

 

the only way a person can miss heaven is not knowing Jesus.

 

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not getting on to anyone - just pointing out a few facts.

Yes, the stats are that 1 out of every 1 dies - some sooner, some later, but all die (although I'm kind hoping on the rapture in my lifetime, but that's another thread...). I just want to encourage this brother not to hurry it along, and that God can take the desire from Him.

 

smoking is a sin....but so is bragging, so is conceit, so is knowing right and not doing it.....

But the only thing you will go to hell for is not accepting Jesus as Saviour.

Jesus paid for ALL our sins, long before we committed them.

Debbie Mc

 

Pertinent quote of the day:

"Smoking doesn't send you to hell. It just makes you smell like you've been there."

-Rbell, quoting someone wittier than he

 

The fact that you are feeling conviction for smoking tells me you need to give it up. You know the dangers, emphasema (sp?), cancer, respitory ailments, etc.

James 4 tells us to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

To feel conviction for smoking, but to continue smoking, is sin.

On the lighter side, some advocate smoking by using this verse:

Genesis 24:64 (KJV) And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

Of course, they are taking that verse way out of context.

 

Dude, I really wanted to say that but you beat me to it! :laugh:

 

==First of all smoking is dangerous. I have asthma and I know what it is like not being able to breath, and it is not a good feeling. In fact I have been in the emergency room more than once, in recent years, because of my asthma. Not being able to breath is frightening it is a feeling I would not wish on my worst enemy. If you continue smoking you are heading towards serious health problems that will cause you to know the feeling I am talking about. You need to stop smoking, now. I don't care if you stop out of fear, you need to stop asap.

Second smoking is no more of a sin then eating McDonalds or Burger King every day. It is a sin for a believer to smoke (etc) in the sense that you are not taking care of the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 6:19-20). Stop smoking, stop eating fast food, and start taking care of yourself.

Third a true believer cannot lose his/her salvation (Jn 6:37-39). However you still must stop smoking.

 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say you shall not smoke, you shall not drink, you shall not stink up the place with your perfume, you shall not dance, you shall not play cards (but you can play dominoes and "42"), and the list goes on, of what people tell you is sin.

For the present stop reading, except here, such misinformation found on the Internet. And yes, you can find such remakes here also. Because you are a smoker will not and cannot send you to hell. Hell is for those that do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

The best thing you can do is read your Bible, and read it with understanding. You are responsible for you. You will find in this book what is sin, and what is not sin. Don't let the overly pious, the uniformed, the ignorant; the "babes in Christ" control your life, and certainly not those of the world. Once we are in the Body of Christ we will find we can do what we perhaps were doing before we believed in His name. If we listen all the do's, and don'ts, the overzealous place on those not versed in scripture, burdens they believe you should shoulder, they will take the joy of your salvation from you, and stunt your growth in His Word, and your life. We are of "faith, and if you smoke do it in the faith that to you it is not sin". Sin is spelled out for us in His Word.

You are fooling yourself. You don't want to quit smoking are you would. I don't believe you actualy believe smoking will send you to hell. Why? You are are still smoking. Quit torchering yourself and it enjoy it, but don't over do it. You will stop smoking when you no longer enjoy it. It is a habit.


Scripture is being furnished and I hope you will read, and comprehend.

Ben, you need some "peace of mind" in your salvation. Your mother, dad, siblings, friends may turn against you, but we are on a one on one situation when it comes to our salvation. How is the only possible way for you to be saved? We must look at what our gospel is today, and not anywhere else. Acts 9 with emphasis on verse 15. Pay attention to who Christ from heaven is talking to, and what is said to Ananias. Christ tells Ananias to go his way, for this New Apostle will be taught (Galatians 1:11-12) another way, and will now include the Gentile, as well as those of Israel.

Acts 13:2-4, "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." We must understand something is happening, and the happening had its beginning on Damascus Road.

We then find God wants Saul to have a Gentile name, just as He wanted Abram (a Gentile) to have a defining Hebrew name, Abraham. Acts 13:9, "Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him."

Contrast Acts 2:36-39, with Acts 16:28-31. In Acts 2, those of the nation of Israel were to believe at that time, and place the gospel preached to them by their Apostles Peter, and the others. In Acts 16 the Gentile jailer was to believe the gospel preached to him by his Apostle Paul.

To help us separate these gospels the Holy Spirit lays it before us to either believe or reject, for He has written to us Galatians 2:7- 9, "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." This corresponds to what we find in Acts 15.

Romans 1:24 - sins of the Body. Romans 6:12 - We can lust after Ice Cream, cigarettes, toe nail polish, or anything else, but we are to not over do in these "lustful" bodies we live in. Many that don't smoke believe it is a sin because they don't lust after it. But these same one's may lust after food and not acknowledge they are the one's that are sinning.

Romans 7:24-25, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

I began smoking at the age of 14 as the nation was still trying to come out of the "great depression", and then World War II had begun, we entering into it in 1941. Almost all men and women in the Armed Forces, including Doctors and Nurses SMOKED, as did the general population. The USofA furnished all troops with cigarettes along with their food, as did the families of service people, if a loved one smoked.

Of All those years I smoked from 1940 until January 29, 1996, approx. 56 years only a very few "religious fringe groups" thought anybody would go to hell that smoked. Not until people with an agenda (those of the world) began telling Christians they were sinning, did the sinning begin, that great sin of smoking. It is the worldly that accuse you of sin and not the Holy Spirit.
Since when has it been a sin to cut down a tree, kill animals for us to eat, to have a fur coat, to have a fire place and burn real wood? Not until these same people tell you how ignorant you are of what they believe their God tells them. Their God, is not our God.

Our bodies are not for fornication (I Corinthians 6:13) as these temples of the Holy Spirit are not to be contaminated with sin. I believe Paul puts it in proper perspective as men try to bring about their will in this matter of our bodies. Colossians 2:20-23, "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21. (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22. Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

I believe Paul is telling us in our world we in our wisdom will be tempted (yes even Christians) to subject ourselves to the commandments and doctrines of man. How many of us nearly have a heart attach if we fail to all hold hands and pray such a holy prayer that everyone can hear and know just how Holy We Are. Don't we self impose there are certain things we must do? We feel we must do certain things to make sure we are saved. Pray the first thing we do when we get up, and go to bed. Pretty soon it's, I wonder if I should not "kneel when I pray to make sure He hears me". And on and on we go with these "commandments and doctrines of men".

 

Thanks!!, Man I needed that. I been quit for years, but still think of them.

 

If all you want is assurance that smoking won't make you "loose" your salvation, then you have what you want from what others have posted. That really doesn't address the real issue; why do you keep smoking when you know that it is sinful?

Do you believe smoking is a sin? Do you believe smoking is being disobedient to God? From what you have said, it appears that you do.

The bottom line is, every time you light up, you are being conciously disobedient to God. That is neither safe nor wise. God will not be mocked. God disciplines those He loves. He gives those who are not His over to the lusts of their hearts to dishonor their bodies according to their own depraved minds.

You are obviously under conviction for this activity in your life. Whether or not smoking is actually a sin in God's eyes is no longer an issue. You are violating your own conscience.

The answer to your unspoken question (sorry if I am too bold) you have to give up smoking if you want to be obedient to God.

peace to youraying:

 

SMOKE UP, JOHNNIE!

:godisgood:

 

Congratulations. I have been fortunate in that regard. Just quit cold turkey, and haven't had the desire. I don't propose any should smoke, or not smoke for there is evidence some can smoke (I, one and a half packs a day), and others can't. Some in other nations smoke as much, or more than we, yet cancer is not as high a risk.

Six of nine on my mother's side died of cancer, of which one smoked. I don't believe things are as well understood as they are presented. But I am not knocking smoking can cause cancer, along with other things in this world that cause us to die.

Most of my "old" friends have died; some too young. Some smoked and some didn't.

 

Benz:

Hell is for those who do not have a Savior, for those whose sins have not been atoned for by Christ according to His will, and whose spirits have not been assured by His Spirit that they are His children.

Smoking, contrary to what others here say, is not a sin, anymore than drinking excessive caffeine is, and some Baptist preachers I know guzzle up mugs and mugs of coffee the whole day. And they're not decaf, mind you.

Both, however, can damage your health, tobacco stinks up your breath, and coffee yellows your teeth, and if you have a potential heart problem, the combination of both can give you arrythmia. In addition, smoking can give you asthma, and loads of other illnesses.

Not only does tobacco stink up your breath, the smelll clings to your hair, your whiskers, your clothes, even your eyebrows.

Also, that white cancer stick dictates your life for you, and you take risks for it that you normally wouldn't.

At work I sit behind somebody who is a heavy smoker, and although I have not personally seen him smoking, I know he does because he smells like it, and most especially when he's just been out of the building for a few puffs.

And a few puffs is a risk he's taking because as most of those who works the phone knows, there are certain statistics you don't want to go beyond and one of them is aux 3, at least where I work that's it.

Aux 3 is when you need to go out for personal reasons (bathroom, etc) and you're allowed a max of eight minutes for the whole day, but make sure you can account for them when your supervisor asks you about them.

He uses these minutes to run out of the building, light up a stick which at $6.00 a pack (I don't know how much a pack costs now) is worth 30 cents per stick, sucks and puffs at it for maybe five times, then crush it in the ashtray box outside the building, and run back to his seat, in the second floor of the building, all in a record under 4 minutes time.

Do you see how ridiculous it is ? He's risking his job for approximately 3 and a half minutes of sucking on a poison stick !! Shave of a minute and a half running out and running in to the building, and it becomes more stupid !

So, like everybody here, my advice is get rid of the habit, man.

I did it cold turkey, with prayers. Somebody here did it cold turkey. Unbelievers do it cold turkey.

Don't go for that coupla sticks less a day jive, it don't work.

 

Having never smoked due to not being able to get past the putrid, foul stench, I cannot comprehend why anyone would WANT to smoke. It pollutes the air, your body, makes you stink because the stench gets in your hair, on your skin, and permeates your clothes, and it's extremely unhealthy.

People use the lame excuse, "I can't quit." There's no such thing as CAN'T. They should be honest with themselves and say,"I don't want to quit." I knew a man who quit cold turkey after many years of smoking. Yes, he suffered, but he stayed with it and was victorious. It can be done, but first a person has to determine, "I WILL quit because I care about my body and my health." Of course, the best thing is to never start in the first place. I thank God that He kept me from that filthy habit.

 

No, you will not go to hell for smoking.

My wife and I quit smoking in January 1996 when we learned she had lung cancer. We had previously tried to quit several times but we were never successful. When that cancer diagnosis came we both laid them down and that was it. The incentive to quit was really there that time and it sure helped. BTW, my wife's lung cancer was not fatal - she had the kind that is pretty much contained in one place and doesn't spread like wild fire. She still has trouble breathing after all these years, but I would much prefer to have her around than to have her gone. Yes, she would be with Jesus, but i guess i'm kinda selfish...

Ben, I'm not going to give you a tongue lashing for smoking. It is something I did for nearly 20 years and therefore I cannot condemn anyone else for doing it. I am not one of those "reformed smokers" who is worse than those who never smoked. However, we all know it is bad for our health (and expensive) and I will pray that you can overcome the habit if that is what you decide to do.

Another thing you may want to consider is how it may affect your Christian witness to others. If someone you are witnessing to thinks "He says I sin and there he is smoking" then it damages your witness.

Think about it. Pray about it. And if you decide you really want to quit then I pray that God will help you to do so. There are also support groups to help - people who have been through the same thing and who are willing to support you as you quit smoking. Here in Ohio there is a "Quit Line" designed to help those who are quitting. The smoker calls a toll-free phone number, gets support, and sets a "quit date" if I understand correctly. There may be a similar program in Canada. Why not check into it?