Smoking?

[ephesians4_23]

We all seem to have our own opinions, some strong, some defensive, some try not to hurt. Is smoking a sin? This is something that must be decided for each of us because it is not specifically said one way or the other in the Bible.
What is sin? Disobedience to God, right? Those of you who smoke- honestly ask God what He thinks about you smoking. Make a commitment to Him that whatever He tells you to do, you will do, even if that means quitting. You don't want any strongholds in your life, and you know that God doesn't want anything in your life that will keep you apart from Him. Just make sure that you follow through with wherever God leads. Ask Him to make it clear so that you won't question it later when you are weak.
I am not a smoker, but I have family members and friends who do. I can't control them. I also know of many of them who work in ministry. I have a great friend who loves the Lord, teaches His love, is filled with the Spirit, is covered with tattoos and is a smoker. I have seen what God has done through her and in her life, and I know that she is a valuable part of His body.
Smokers (or whatever addiction you may have)- don't let Satan or anyone else around you tell you that you have to be a perfect Christian before you are good for something. You can minister now. Don't be intimidated by others around you. Let God use you. Be honest with Him, and if you pray for release from strongholds, be free in Him!! No excuses.
God bless

 

[sonnyd]

To my fellow christian Atonement. With the statement "everyone has turned this into some kind of judgement" I felt that everyone was accused of judging in this thread.

If I have misinterpreted your statement I beg your forgiveness.

I think you misunderstand, I do not feel convicted for smoking, I do not smoke. I personally feel that it is wrong to use tobacco. But to keep telling people that they are wrong or that it is a sin will only drive them further away from our Lord. Can we not gain more by living a life pleasing to God and show them by this method that these things are wrong. If they ask about why we don't share these thing with them, tell them then that God's word teaches against them.

We can't convict them for doing these things, the Holy Ghost can if we life the good life before them.

Re 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

[Atonement]

With the statement "everyone has turned this into some kind of judgement" I felt that everyone was accused of judging in this thread.

If I have misinterpreted your statement I beg your forgiveness.

No need. It's cool, sorry for any misunderstanding on my part. I meant the people that smoke and have posted, feel that everyone has passed some sort of judgment on them. When in reality all we are really doing to trying to help, but they do not see it this way!

 

[spitnot]

I meant the people that smoke and have posted, feel that everyone has passed some sort of judgment on them. When in reality all we are really doing to trying to help, but they do not see it this way!

yes to that.

aren't we taught to lift each other and edify each other and help each other? messages can be misunderstood sometimes, especially when our mind is set to hate being rebuke or corrected because we think we are being belittled.

like my previous post, and i'll write it again... if you my brother or sister is a smoker, i have nothing against you. i am not to hate you or condemn or judge you with the thought that smoking may be your personal struggle, and right now you are still wrestling with it. what is just proper like the bible is telling us is that we must consider carefully how we act especially in the eyes of many(unbelievers) regarding how we represent Jesus. my beloved, if you are struggling with something like smoking and you are honest to yourself that you are really fighting it, the Lord knows how hard it is for you and He surely empathizes and intercedes for you, ready and willing to give you grace and victory over it. but with that struggle, it is best for you to exert an effort not to display it in the public, otherwise you'll become a stumbling block causing people to have a false idea about Christianity, especially when we utter and confess as Christians and at the same time while we're saying it, the smoke is coming out of our mouth... here are the possible odds. to a non-believer, you are giving a mix message that smoking is ok in Christianity. a non-believer might conclude that he can be a Christian and still do the things of the world. my point here is that whatever your struggle is, in fighting it--give your all to protect the image of Christ, because after all, aren't we His ambassadors?

let me leave this encouragement. that whatever our struggle is, let us (this includes me) remember what the unknown author of the book of Hebrews said, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." ( Hebrews 12:4 NIV ) fight even until we shed blood, and though we stumble and fall, stand up! dust off your clothes soldier! draw your sword and keep fighting still! victory is at hand and the day of our deliverance is fast approaching without delay.

Jesus be glorified!