Smoking?

[Faithful Son]

I'm not preaching to anyone that they should smoke, I'm just tired of being treated like a lowlife by Christians because I smoke. It's probably one of the things I hate the most and makes me confused as how people could preach Jesus but they treat you like dirt because you smoke.

I would much rather stay away from Christians and live a normal life serving God and know I'm loved Him than to constantly wait for the next Christian on the horizon to judge me or persecute me because of smoking.

I'm not talking about anyone at TJ, I'm talking about interactions in my life. Someone who judged me for being a smoker committed adultery on his wife a few years ago and he's a wreck, but at that time he believed he was God's gift to mankind.

I love my Lord and I will ask Him to give me a soft heart about this, not to lead people on the wrong path, but God have mercy on me, that I don't forsake Him because of other Christians and their attitudes.

 

[John14:1]

I'm not preaching to anyone that they should smoke, I'm just tired of being treated like a lowlife by Christians because I smoke. It's probably one of the things I hate the most and makes me confused as how people could preach Jesus but they treat you like dirt because you smoke.

I would much rather stay away from Christians and live a normal life serving God and know I'm loved Him than to constantly wait for the next Christian on the horizon to judge me or persecute me because of smoking.

I'm not talking about anyone at TJ, I'm talking about interactions in my life. Someone who judged me for being a smoker committed adultery on his wife a few years ago and he's a wreck, but at that time he believed he was God's gift to mankind.

I love my Lord and I will ask Him to give me a soft heart about this, not to lead people on the wrong path, but God have mercy on me, that I don't forsake Him because of other Christians and their attitudes.

You're correct, unfortunately. Christians often have the sharpest tongues and seem to offer the least compassion. I always like to remind my brothers in Christ of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Luke 18:9-14

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

[stephen]

Is it a sin to smoke cigarettes? Please tell me your thoughts on the matter.

Smoking is a stupid, I use the word carefully "stupid" habit. The smoker is a man/woman without a brain.

It is a proven fact that cigarette smoke is a killer. It is also an outlet for the hidden talent/gifting, frustrated within a person. They find expression for such talent outlet in the satisfaction offered by the tranquillizing ***

It is not a sin to smoke. Surely not. It is not what goes in to the mouth, but what comes out of the mouth which registers a person in the light of others.

But get rid of the smoke. God Bless and help You

In Jesus

 

[sonnyd]

1 Co 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.

Paul in the letter to the church at Corinth made a strong point in the above verse by stating that everything was lawful for him to do but all thing was not necessary for a individual.

To me the final part of the verse very important in that Paul wouldn't let anything bring him under its influence or addiction.

How can we be sure that this will not happen. DO NOT PARTAKE OF ANYTHING THAT COULD CAUSE ADDICTION.

The Christian addiction should be to praise Jesus.

 

[dalan-ranna]

The Christian addiction should be to praise Jesus.

AMEN!!!!!

God Bless!!!

 

[dalan-ranna]

well folks,

I have felt so much conviction from this thread, combined with prayer and guidance from God that I quit smoking today - thank you all so much for helping me with this, God bless you all and feel free to check in and keep me accountable for my decision to God!

God bless you all

Dalan

 

[Coconut]

Smoking is a stupid, I use the word carefully "stupid" habit. The smoker is a man/woman without a brain.

It is a proven fact that cigarette smoke is a killer. It is also an outlet for the hidden talent/gifting, frustrated within a person. They find expression for such talent outlet in the satisfaction offered by the tranquillizing ***

It is not a sin to smoke. Surely not. It is not what goes in to the mouth, but what comes out of the mouth which registers a person in the light of others.

But get rid of the smoke. God Bless and help You

In Jesus

I have to claim moderator immunity to post in the mens thread, hopefully that wont upset you men

Stephen, I have the brains to be mildly amused at your statement, that "smokers dont have a brain." However you were`nt careful enough. Would you care to rephrase that before you offend a whole lot of people?

Faithful Son, keep on being faithful, God bless you.

In regards to the OP: I am a smoker, and I am not ashamed. Jesus Christ (Is He still Lord?) tells me that nothing that enters into my body makes me a sinner. Period.
[Matthew 15:11- Read it again with the self-righteous blinders off people]
Reason away His words with our own wisdom will we? Now thats something to be ashamed of doing. Who here thinks they know better than Christ what makes a man a sinner? When it comes to your own salvation, you gladly quote Christ WORD FOR WORD, when it comes to the salvation of another,
you`d rather preach to the tune of the religious song and dance.


Mat 11:15 Listen, then, if you have ears!
Mat 11:16 "Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other,
Mat 11:17 'We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!'
Mat 11:18 When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, 'He has a demon in him!'
Mat 11:19 When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said, 'Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!'
God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results."

 

[Faithful Son]

Thank you Coconut

I confessed to Chad last weekend when I posted in this thread that I was going through a rough time. Essentially, deep down I know smoking is not what God would want for me.

I'm not keen on losing this battle of sin against evil and the devil, but I pray that God gives me strength to keep pushing forward and be the good warrior I know I could be.

I'm God's Samurai, as cheesy as that may sound. He put us all here to fight the good fight and whether we give up and give into the enemy and his weapons is what matters.

I'm not about to give up soon, although I may stumble, God will give me strength through Jesus to keep winning my battles, even though they may be stupid or dumb to other people.

God bless

 

[spitnot]

Heart check. Why would you want to smoke, or perhaps why would you want to justify as if smoking is ok? We all know that there’s nothing good in smoking cigarette or tobacco. Reading from the comments posted, I see that it was about the “self”—justifications of an action that is not proper for God’s people. When we do some things, let’s not forget about the eyes that are watching us, especially if we call ourselves Christians. Have you considered that your “witness” to other people is very important when you prophesy to be a follower of Christ? Otherwise you’ll only be giving Christianity a bad name and that’s the problem of the majority today… like it was said, “the problem of Christianity are the Christians itself.”, “I like their Jesus but I don’t like their Christians.” –doesn’t this hurt you?

It is very clear that we are called to be set apart and thus, not to act as the world does. My brothers, please consider what is written 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
[Context: The Believer's Freedom] "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

In the first year of my Christian life, I still do drugs, drink and smoke… but my fellow Christians in church showed me even more care and love. They didn’t judge me or leadenly rebuked me. I stopped my vices not because Christianity doesn’t allow them, but because of God’s grace that was revealed to me that it’s just not right to continue doing such things. It’s not because now I am a Christian I can’t smoke. It’s because by God’s grace He gave me strength to will and chose not to smoke anymore. Indeed there’s freedom in Christ! My joy and happiness is complete in Christ. I don’t need all those rubbish for what, to be happy? To have something to do as past time activity? To feel contented?

I have nothing against any brother who smokes, it might be your personal struggle as of the moment, but nonetheless should you say that smoking is ok because it’s clearly not! I pray He’ll shine His light upon you to give you a clear mind.

It would be right for you to pray and seek Jesus to tell you personally what He thinks about you smoking.

And lastly, when He speaks, please don’t play deaf and still hold unto your justifications. Be honest to yourself.

Galatians 6:8 NIV
"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature [ Or his flesh, from the flesh] will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Lots of LOVE from the Almighty above! Jesus be glorified!

 

[Atonement]

I smoked for many years, and I will not pass judgement on anyone, because I know how hard it is to stop. But we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should not defile our temple.

1Cr3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

I'll pray for you, but all prayer can go with amiss. You must first be willing to quit this nasty habit!

 

[Faithful Son]

Heart check. Why would you want to smoke, or perhaps why would you want to justify as if smoking is ok? We all know that there’s nothing good in smoking cigarette or tobacco. Reading from the comments posted, I see that it was about the “self”—justifications of an action that is not proper for God’s people. When we do some things, let’s not forget about the eyes that are watching us, especially if we call ourselves Christians. Have you considered that your “witness” to other people is very important when you prophesy to be a follower of Christ? Otherwise you’ll only be giving Christianity a bad name and that’s the problem of the majority today… like it was said, “the problem of Christianity are the Christians itself.”, “I like their Jesus but I don’t like their Christians.” –doesn’t this hurt you?

It is very clear that we are called to be set apart and thus, not to act as the world does. My brothers, please consider what is written 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
[Context: The Believer's Freedom] "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

In the first year of my Christian life, I still do drugs, drink and smoke… but my fellow Christians in church showed me even more care and love. They didn’t judge me or leadenly rebuked me. I stopped my vices not because Christianity doesn’t allow them, but because of God’s grace that was revealed to me that it’s just not right to continue doing such things. It’s not because now I am a Christian I can’t smoke. It’s because by God’s grace He gave me strength to will and chose not to smoke anymore. Indeed there’s freedom in Christ! My joy and happiness is complete in Christ. I don’t need all those rubbish for what, to be happy? To have something to do as past time activity? To feel contented?

I have nothing against any brother who smokes, it might be your personal struggle as of the moment, but nonetheless should you say that smoking is ok because it’s clearly not! I pray He’ll shine His light upon you to give you a clear mind.

It would be right for you to pray and seek Jesus to tell you personally what He thinks about you smoking.

And lastly, when He speaks, please don’t play deaf and still hold unto your justifications. Be honest to yourself.

Galatians 6:8 NIV
"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature [ Or his flesh, from the flesh] will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Lots of LOVE from the Almighty above! Jesus be glorified!

What is your point exactly? You go around in circles talking about this and that, you can't judge but yet you judge, you weren't judged but yet you judge. Did you not judge by telling me I am justifying my actions?

You know what, I could care less, for you, or any other supposed Christian. I've had enough of the Christians in this world with their double standards.

So I smoke, the point has been made already in this thread, do you think your little post will give me the strength I require from God? Do you think your convictions are my convictions? Wake up and smell the coffee.

Coconut made a valid point, Jesus drank wine, not grape juice. He stayed and was befriended with the lowest of the low and yet He was God. I doubt to my deepest core that Jesus would ever speak to me in a manner that most Christians have in my life.

Do you know what? I wish I could see you face to face, in the real world. I've been in 88 different situations where a street preacher walks up to me and gives me a pamphlet on how to receive Jesus into my heart, which I look at them and respond "my friend, I am a Christian". Why in heavens name can no one accept that fact? They are so awe struck that I could ever be a Christian, they don't have a valid response. I would fall on my face one day and weep in sorrow the day I find a brother/sister in Christ, when I say I am a Christian, who says to me, I love you in Christ, thank you for telling me.

I am a Christian, the Lord is my rock and in Him I place my whole faith, my whole life. I don't need you or any other person, I've got my Lord and when He chooses to give me the strength and conviction to stop smoking then that is what will happen.

Christians are tools of God, they aren't God.:angryfly:

 

[Chad]

Brother Faithful, spitnot was trying to help not judge. He did not judge anyone. He spoke the truth. You say you know many Christians who judge, I know many who justify their own actions too. In the end, GOD will judge and those who justified themselves and customized Scripture their own way will be very very sorry.

Smoking is WRONG = period. There is no justifying that no matter how you look at it. Its too obvious it kills the temple, the body. There is no excuse at all.

 

[Faithful Son]

I agree with you Chad. I just sensed a tone in spitnot's reply which reminds me so much of other Christians.

Chad, I have told you privately that I believe smoking is wrong, I am in no way saying it is right and I am in no way "justifying" my actions. But what I would appreciate in this lifetime is Christians who actually act like Christians.

I'm tired of people making me file like a piece of rubbish, a stupid brainless person or someone who doesn't deserve the love of Christ. This is what I feel, this is what I sense.

What I am essentially saying is I don't have the physical or emotional will power to quit smoking and oh boy have I prayed and pleaded for it. When God decides to give me the strength to quit, maybe my smoking habit could be used to "correctly" help other people to quit the habit, I'm not sure

 

[cerebus]

I smoked a lot before I was a Christian, and I could never quit. Then when I was baptized, I spontaneously quit within a few days, and I've never gone back or had the desire to. I don't know how that happened, and I truly believe it could only have been the Lord because with all the willpower in the world I could not have accomplished it by myself. Well, that's my testimony but it surely isn't my boast; the Lord had mercy on me at that particular time of my life.

 

[abigya]

I smoked a lot before I was a Christian, and I could never quit. Then when I was baptized, I spontaneously quit within a few days, and I've never gone back or had the desire to. I don't know how that happened, and I truly believe it could only have been the Lord because with all the willpower in the world I could not have accomplished it by myself. Well, that's my testimony but it surely isn't my boast; the Lord had mercy on me at that particular time of my life.

Amen to that cerebus ,

i have been following this thread but i couldn't post because it was in mens forum. so here it is from (stop smoking web site )

please note that, there is a difference between judging others and speaking the truth.


Smoking


A cigarette is a product consumed through smoking and manufactured out of cured and finely cut tobacco leaves and reconstituted tobacco, combined with other additives, then rolled or stuffed into a paper-wrapped cylinder (generally less than 120 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter). The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder for the purpose of inhalation of its smoke from the other (usually filtered) end, which is inserted in the mouth. They are sometimes smoked with a cigarette holder. The term cigarette, as commonly used, refers to a tobacco cigarette but can apply to similar devices containing other herbs, such as cannabis.
Cigarettes are proven to be highly addictive, as well as a cause of multiple types of cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, birth defects (which include mental and physical disability) and emphysema.
Cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive stimulant which is toxic. They deliver smoke to the lungs immediately and produce a rapid psychoactive effect.


But is/ are there any scientific reason/ reasons behind smoking?

According to a report published in the magazine 'Nature', nicotine may not be the only reason why a smoker can not kick the habit. As per the report, a smoker has 40 % less of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) in his/her brain than a non-smoker or those who have kicked the habit. Studies have shown that MAO B breaks down dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, movement and reward. Less of MAO B could result in increased dopamine activity, reinforcing and rewarding the smoking behavior that caused the enhancement of dopamine. Increased dopamine and the feeling of pleasure would induce smokers to continue their habit.

some thing to ponder

what is behind /reason Christians smoking cigarettes ?

what do they get out of it?

 

[Faithful Son]

I'm officially retired from this discussion, go speak your truths!

 

[abigya]

I'm officially retired from this discussion, go speak your truths!

I am really /heartily/ sorry that Christians judged you instead of giving help and support. Why am I feeling that you are throwing your anger over here? I don’t see any one judging you here. It could be from your church members and community but you are showing your anger and resentment on your posts, and its hurting innocent people here.

Please note this open discussion is helping others who thought smoking is okay for Christians.

 

[Chad]

I'm officially retired from this discussion, go speak your truths!

You need to cool off your attitude Jako. This thread is to help everyone, not just you. If you cannot accept that, refrain from judging and mocking others. Don't expect the thread to revolve around your views. It revolves around GOD's view only.

 

[Faithful Son]

I am really /heartily/ sorry that Christians judged you instead of giving help and support. Why am I feeling that you are throwing your anger over here? I don’t see any one judging you here. It could be from your church members and community but you are showing your anger and resentment on your posts, and its hurting innocent people here.

Please note this open discussion is helping others who thought smoking is okay for Christians.

You need to cool off your attitude Jako. This thread is to help everyone, not just you. If you cannot accept that, refrain from judging and mocking others. Don't expect the thread to revolve around your views. It revolves around GOD's view only.

You both are right. I resent the fact that people generally know how to give advice, but they fail themselves at taking it.

I posted in this thread today because I felt singled out by spitnot's post. It seems though that my opinion isn't valid, my point of view isn't valid, so rather than becoming a sour grape about it, feeding my anger and making the devil smile.

I'll retire from this thread, so kindly keep to the topic, and keep it off me, don't tell me what to do with my life (not aimed at anyone specific) just saying in general.

 

[Atonement]

To each there own I guess. For me and my temple it will clean, it will be honorable, it will be cherished, it will be a place for my God to smile and be glad that he lives in it.

As I stated I use to smoke and I know how hard it is to stop, but one must want to quit. What I'm reading here, those that smoke do not want to stop. That is pitiful, then they turn it around and point the finger at others and accuse them of judging them.. Where do people think this type of topic will lead? This is like coming here and stating you smoke crack and expect people to understand it and accept it. Yes Crack is to an extreme, but the point is the same. Really where did you people think this thread was going to lead? *Shrugs*