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Ste

Isn't this what it comes down to:

James 4:17 "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Is God convicting you to give up smoking?

And before I criticize a brother about his smoking habits, I might want to read [url=http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=James%204:11;&version=50;]James 4:11[/url]..

@Neilgin & ZIONSLAVE, thanks for your testimonies! What a great reminder that the joy of obedience is so much greater than holding on to the things God has asked us to give up. :-)

Smoking is a big giant to a lot of Christians, but God is able and he still answers prayer.

In Christ,
GaryE

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Gary Eckenroth

Our Lord commands us to be Holy as He is holy. I can not see how smoking cigarettes fall into the catogary of being holy!!!! (1 Peter 1:16)

This is my standard, nothing more and nothing less.

By His strength,
Ruby

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Roxane greyling

Again...I can say the same about a greesy cheeseburger

Maybe this will help...

Isa 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

So when the opportunity arises for a person to choose the veggie delux instead of the greasy flesh burger he can know that Jesus chose the Veggie burger every time. ;-)

About the cigar subject....
Just because you only smoke once a year and George burns smoked once a day does that mean its sin to George and not for you???? If a person only murders once a year instead of once a day does it make the murder less of a sin???

Sin is not a matter of opinion. Its not sin for some and not for others. killing yourself (no matter how fast or slow) is sin. Come on people!!! Dont be a stumbling block! people need purity! inhaling smoke in your lungs is not a natural thing. When you purposely do that it is wrong. Its like If your best friend in the world bought you a gift would it be wrong for you to accept that gift and then mistreat it right in front of them? It may be "permissable" because the gift belongs to you. But its still wrong. It still hurts the Giver.

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tommy

I believe if we are serious about Jesus being the Lord of our lives we will constantly be examining ourselves to see if there is some thing in us that we need to deal with.
I also believe that until we die or He returns, we will be shown stuff we need to deal with. Some it will be murdering (hate) others smoking (dependance on other than Jesus) or greasy food (love of pleasure more than lovers of God)

II Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove
your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

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Ste

Yes. Blessings.

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tommy

I knew a pastor who said, "Smoking won't send you to hell. It'll just make you smell like you've been there."

The question is: Does it really matter if smoking is a sin or not?

Smoking is an extremely personal issue for me. After I was saved, everyone told me I had to quit smoking. In my heart, I knew this wasn't right. Jesus had saved me. I didn't save myself. So, how in the world was I going to save myself from smoking? I could no more quit smoking than I could make myself righteous.

Instead, I prayed about it. I said, "Lord, I don't know if smoking is a sin or not, but I like to smoke. I really enjoy it. In fact, it helps me on many levels and has many positive effects. I can't quit smoking. I have tried so many times. I like it way to much. So, if you want me to quit smoking, you are going to have to come down here and help me quit. I will quit if you want me to, but otherwise, I am going to smoke."

After that, I let it go and left it up to Christ. About a week later, I felt the Lord speaking to my heart. It was clear what I had to do. He told me to quit smoking. So, I told Him I would quit smoking at midnight that night.

I held to my word and trusted in Him. At midnight, I put down my last cigarette. I struggled some over the next few days, but not nearly as bad as in the past. I had very little side effects and have never smoked since.

I can see now that it was important for me to quit, not because of my health or sin or law. Rather, the Lord would later bring a most wonderful gift into my life, a woman, who is allergic to cigarette smoke. At the time, I knew not what the Lord had planned. However, I have now realized that He was preparing me for His grand plans.

From this experience, I believe as Christians, we should follow Christ. We should pray and trust in Him to direct our paths. For each person, that may be different.

I don't think there's a "one size fits all" law we can apply to everyone. It depends on what Christ has asked that person, and how He has directed thier future.

The question is not whether smoking is a sin or not, because all that is doing is establishing a law by which we can judge others. The questions is more personal: Is this what Jesus wants for your life?

I always ask people: Have you prayed about it? Are you trusting in Him to direct your path? What does the Lord say to you personally in your heart? What do you think is the Lord's will?

That is my experience with it anyway.

Hope this helps,

Blake

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Blake Kidney

I'm sorry but ... I am going to hell for watching MTV? Give me a break. I pull away from this debate.

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Arnaldo Santiago, Jnr.