by Tony Warren
This question is one which is
asked much more frequently in modern times since more Pastors are taking a hands off approach to Church correction. You are more
likely to hear things like, 'it's a matter of Christian liberty, so use your
individual conscience.' In light of this attitude, it is possible that many
Christians who smoke may have not even considered this an issue, or not even
realized that it could be sin. This is no doubt (in part) due to it not being
something which is preached against by many Pastors today, and in some cases it
is actually condoned.
While no one in our day who is in their right mind would
ever say smoking is a good thing, incredibly many theologians have nevertheless
taken the indefensible position that 'this' doesn't mean it's a bad thing
either. They place smoking into some sort of cosmic 'grey area,' and categorize
it as a matter of conscience. When one chooses to look at things more from a
personal rights viewpoint rather than strictly the scriptures, it is easy to
blur the line between good and bad. Humanly speaking, it's easier to label a
theologian judgmental, than it is to examine the evidence against smoking and
commend 'Biblical judgment.' Because when searching through scripture and
considering all of the pertinent facts, I believe that the only 'honest' answer
that we can come to regarding this question, is Yes.
Smoking is a Sin. And it is a sin on multiple levels.
It is a Detriment to the Body
Considering the universal Medical opinion, I don't know anyone who could
legitimately argue today that smoking is not injurious to one's health. The
fact is, nine out of ten lung cancer victims are
smokers. The scientific evidence is that smokers have a three to one chance of
heart attack, over non-smokers. Even smoking in (so-called) moderation, on the
average, will shorten one's life span by many years.
Not only is it harmful to the smoker, but the preponderance
of evidence is that it is also harmful to others through what is called 'second-hand
smoke.' A Christian who Knows that other people may be
harmed by their smoking, and yet chooses to indulge in this act simply to
pleasure himself, has spiritual issues beyond and above the issue of smoking.
James 4:17
It is clear that deliberately doing
something which is injurious to others is sin. But one might ask, 'what if
they smoke in total isolation from others, would that still be sin?' The
answer I believe is yes, for smoking is a sin against the body which is the
Lord's. Just as a Christian wouldn't knowingly harm others because he
understands that it is a sin to do so, likewise, one can not knowingly harm
himself, because that would be just as much a sin. It is the same as if you
went about poisoning yourself. For we glorify God in our body, which belongs to
the Lord. Therefore, to defile or poison that body, is
a sin or transgression against God to whom it belongs.
1st Corinthians 6:19-20
We are to regard our Body as a holy
vessel of the Lord, literally! For He has both bought us, and dwells
within this vessel. Our body is not our own, and we should seek to live clean
and Holy lives both in reverence to the Lord and as an example to others
showing that we are different from the world. To smoke (which we know hurts
this body which is the Lord's), is desecration of the Lord's
It is somewhat of a spiritual dichotomy, because most
non-Christians won't even attempt to pretend that smoking is not harmful. But
the Christian often will. They will often retort that, 'it's their body and
they have Christian liberty to do with it what they want.' Contrasted with
God's declaration that we are 'not' our own, but are bought with a price and
belong to Him (1st Corinthians
Matthew 15:10-11
They joy in pointing out that what
Jesus was teaching is that what a man consumes does not defile him. Therefore,
they reason that the consumption of cigarettes cannot defile a man. However,
this is misapplication on three levels.
One, they are taking this out of context for their own selfish
purposes. Jesus is not saying that you can put poisons into your body, because
it doesn't defile you (which is the logical conclusion drawn from their use
of this verse this way), but Jesus is saying that it is their doctrines
which defile them, not neglecting to wash your hands before meals. In no way is
Jesus putting forth a principle that people have liberty to take poisons into
their body, nor is he proclaiming that doing so is not a sin. That is a
ridiculous use of this passage, and what's more, most know it. They are simply
looking to 'rationalize' away their actions.
Two, in fact the
Scriptures do clearly warn about doing things to harm our body, and so this
passage cannot possibly be contradicting other scriptures. For example
scripture tells us that gluttony or over-eating is a transgression of God's
law, and it just as clearly warns about over-drinking or drunkenness. And so we
can not in any way remove guilt of sin by arrogantly declaring that we have
'Christian liberty' to put into our bodies anything that we want, when it harms
us. The 'truth' is, we don't have Christian liberty to do so, we have Christian responsibility not to.
Three, if Christ was
indeed saying this, it would negate the spiritual, about defiling ourselves by
putting something into our mouths which will bring damnation to us (as in the
communion).
1st Corinthians 11:29
How is this passage true if what
goes in the body means nothing? The answer of course is, this is true, because
that was never what Jesus meant when He spoke of what defiles a man. Eating
unworthily 'is' a Sin, because sin begins in the mind. The sin is in the thought
to commit the act itself, not in the substance that is eaten. Likewise, the sin
is in the mind to commit the act of smoking, knowing what it does to the body,
and to others. It is not in smoke. Smoke is no more sin than a communion wafer
is sin, but it is the act of smoking itself, or of eating unworthily, which is
sin. So this passage in no way absolves man from sin in his smoking.
The question is, does smoking harm the body, and is harming
the body a sin? When we answer that question 'honestly' then, and only then,
will we stop rationalizing away sin. For the health problems related to long
term smoking are well documented.
It is Addictive
Some people claim that Smoking does not involve a fundamental moral issue, but
they are wrong in that also. For at it's root is the
sin of lust to bondage. To protect what has grown to be no less than 'sacred
moments' of smoking pleasures, people will deny that
smoking is harmful, or even addictive. The reason for these
illogical declarations come from their inability to discern their
addiction, nor to look at themselves honestly. In many instances they do not
want to face the actual extent of their enslavement to tobacco and nicotine.
And make no mistake, it is an enslavement, even though
those addicted usually profess ability to stop smoking whenever they want. Because to confess that they cannot would be to admit enslavement,
and thus to admit that it is a sin. Frequently they do not realize the
extent of their bondage because they have never faced the real prospect of it's loss. But in looking at this honestly, we face the fact
that we actually 'like these type sins,' which we subconsciously consider
insignificant in the big scheme of things.
The very 'fact' that even attempting to quit smoking is a
very hard thing to do is reason enough that it is a sin which all Christians
should be against. But the pride in rationalization can be blinding. The truth
is, quitting smoking is known to be one of the most
difficult things in this world to do. Research has shown 'conclusively' that
nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet, even more
addictive than heroin some say. Such information should make us all sit up,
take notice, and wonder how anyone professing Christianity could 'biblically'
justify or condone the use of this substance. Yet, many professed Christians
routinely attempt to do it, and just as routinely become indignant that any
Theologian would actually say it is wrong for them to indulge in this vice.
1st Corinthians 6:12
Anything which one cannot stop
doing makes him a slave to it. For all intents and purposes it becomes his
'god' which he is dependent upon. i.e., in bondage he serves it, rather than
our Lord. In a word, idolatry. Whether psychologically
or physiologically addicted, it is idolatry. We cannot serve two masters,
whether alcohol, smoking, or any other addictive substance, and to say it is
not sin (considering the facts), is just plain sticking one's head in the
'proverbial' sand. Christians should treat the smoking addiction like any other
sin. We confess it as sin (as opposed to claiming we have no sin), and we
tackle it in the strength of Christ. We lay this burden down at the foot of the
cross.
Philippians 4:13
Even though it is difficult, and
withdrawal may take time before one is no longer desiring
the puffs from cigarettes, we as Christians are to look to God from whom comes
our help. And anyone who says cigarettes are not addicting are kidding
themselves. And if it 'is' addicting, then it is a sin, because it makes man a
slave to this substance. And Blessed is the man who
can face these truths honestly.
It is a bad Witness and a cause for the Brethren to Stumble
Even if a Christian were convinced that they could smoke without sinning (I
cannot imagine how), knowing what they do about cigarettes, it's addictive
properties, and the probability of a weaker brethren emulating and being
brought into addictive bondage by smoking, it would still be a sin. Because the
true Christian should for the sake of the weaker brethren, not smoke. And we
won't, except our hearts be hardened, or we be so
addicted that we must. Again, we are our brothers
keeper, and we love the brethren as ourselves.
1st John 3:14
If we love our brother, we desire
the best for them as we do for ourselves. Most people who smoke wish that they
would have never started smoking, and though they rationalize it and justify
it, I'm sure that deep down they realize that it is a dirty, addictive habit.
So why would a Christian want to continue to smoke, knowing that by their
witness as a Christian, they are encouraging others to start? i.e., the weaker
brother sees other Christians doing it, and feel justified in picking up the
habit. That is not the witness that a true Christian wants to put forth. The
principle applies:
Romans 14:15-16
We cannot destroy a weaker brethren even if we think we can be justified in
doing it ourselves. If something were lawful, and yet causes our weaker
brethren to fall, for his sake we cannot do it. And it is sin if we do. For we are living examples.
2nd Thessalonians 3:9
Christians are an example to the
brethren and to the world, and that example in no way should include smoking cigarettes
that a weaker brethren might stumble and fall. And if
we take the attitude that it's not our fault and we don't really care if they
do, then again, we have more spiritual issues than smoking to contend with.
It Not to the Glory of God
If I may relate a story, there was a woman who had been smoking for a long
while and when told it was not a good witness protested to her Pastor that she
didn't think smoking was a sin. The Pastor asked her if smoking was something
that she would be embarrassed about doing if the Lord returned today and met
her face to face? She thought on that a while, and had
to reluctantly admit that it would indeed be embarrassing. For up until that
point, she had not realized that she was not addressing the issue 'honestly.'
But when it came to Christ watching her puff on a cigarette face to face, she
understood 'personally' the sin. We should all look at things that way,
realizing that Christ 'is' watching us, and there should be no difference in
what we are embarrassed about now, or when Christ returns. The old adage
applies, 'When in doubt, leave it out!' Romans 14:23
Another Christian admitted that
smoking was a bad habit, a foolish habit, and even a habit which might be
harmful, but still insisted that it is not a sin, and thus not really a big
moral issue. No, they weren't Roman catholic, but
their ideas about sin were just as illogical. Because when did a bad habit, a
foolish habit, and a harmful habit, become not a sin? Such rationalizing leaves
you wondering if you have missed something somewhere. Whatever is a 'bad' thing
to do, is automatically antithetical to doing the Good thing, and is thus sin. Bad means that which is not good, or that which is in error or
wrong to do.
Isaiah 65:2
The problem with man is that he
walks after his own thoughts, doing what is right in his own eyes, and not
'bowing' or surrendering to authority of scripture. To do what is 'not good'
rather than what is the good thing. But whatever is not good, is bad, and thus
sin. Likewise, whatever is a foolish thing to do, is automatically the
incorrect thing to do, and is also sin.
Proverbs 9:6
When we go in the way of
understanding, we are not foolish, and consider all of God's Word on a matter.
Anything we do which is harmful to ourselves or to others must be confessed
sin. If we smoke, knowing it can harm others, it is as if we have set out
poison for them. In the Biblical vernacular, as if we have set devices, nets or
traps to hurt them.
Psalms 35:7
When we harm people without a
reason, we are committing transgression (sin) against them. And so for all
these reasons, to say that smoking is bad, is foolish, and is harmful to
ourselves and others, and yet insist it is not sin is simply, biblically
ridiculous. Would a true believer be able to smoke with a clear conscience
knowing all we know about the harm that it does to both us, and those around
us? I don't know. But I do know that he 'shouldn't' have a clear conscience
doing it.
Hebrews 13:18
How could we smoke and have a clear
conscience knowing that we are slowly poisoning our body, and harming others,
and that it is an addicting substance? How could we have a clear conscience
knowing that we are a witness to others that this is an appropriate way for a
Christian to act? It's a good question.
1st Corinthians 10:31
This is a command of God, not a
suggestion. Smoking is not to the Glory of the Lord, and is therefore, sin. A transgression of God's law that 'whatever we do, do all to the
Glory of God.' So again, those choosing to rationalize away that
smoking is sin, must be throwing God's word behind the back, or trampling it
under foot. Because there is no way that smoking can be seen
as to the Glory of God. Thus it is sin.
Smoking is Rooted in Paganism
The historical aspects of smoking is not germane to whether it is Biblically
permissible, and thus to this article, but it is interesting that there is no
record of any Christian ever smoking in scripture. It was probably unknown to
believers in Biblical times. If it was, it would have been seen as the diverse
rites and customs of the gentile or heathen nations.
Another interesting thing is that most false religions all
over the world, from the very beginning, mimic the Christian religion, whether
in their burnings that supposedly take prayers to their gods in the smoke, of
building temples, or praying, or of human sacrifice to their god, it is a
imitating the one true faith (and that is not by accident). It's not some
cosmic coincidence, nor reason to doubt there is one God (as anthropologists
insist), it is because Satan is the false or 'substitute'
Christ. The antichrist who was/is/and will be the
great deceiver of man through false or substitute religion. Scripture is
replete with prophesy and evidence of this. Smoking in religious practices is
just another of his devices to try and make a mockery out of the true Religion.
As far as anyone knows, smoking began as a religious rite of
the Mayans. They were a people who used it in their worship of false gods, and
who practiced human sacrifice. The American Indians, who many believe were
their progeny, believed that the smoke carried the messages from whoever was
smoking, to the spirit world. Much like the ceremonial burning of incense in
Conclusion
God has commanded us (not suggested
to us), that we strive to live Holy lives. The fact is, even economically,
cigarettes costs so much that it causes an unjustifiable financial impact for
any Christian. i.e., is this the best way to use the mammon which God has put
in our care? To quite literally burn it up in the fire?
Obviously, it is not, and is both a waste time, and of our resources.
Christians are the faithful stewards of what God has given them (Matthew
25:14-30), and our body, money, and time, are not our own, but
the Lord's. This is what those who have their eyes so focused on themselves, refuse to understand about this issue.
That smoke defiles the body is readily seen. Looking at the
lungs of a person who has smoked for any length of time, we see that they are
'black' with the collection of this smoke pollution. Can we honestly say this
is God Glorifying? Not with a straight face! And the health care expenses after
years of smoking increase exponentially. The Longer you smoke, the more health
problems you will have, and it is all avoidable simply by 'denying ourselves,' for
the Cause of Christ.
So, does smoking mean that a person is not a Christian? Certainly not. That is not the question here. The question
we are addressing is, '..is smoking a sin?'
And in that regard, there is one thing we can say with absolute certainty, and
that is that smoking is not to the Glory of God in any way whatsoever. It is a
detriment to the body, it is an extremely addictive substance which makes a
slave out of those who use it, it is a bad witness for the cause of Christ, it
may be harmful to others, and it is a cause for our weaker brethren to stumble.
Therefore, it is without question, a sin. And anyone claiming that it is not, is 'lying' to themselves. God tells us that if we've
broken just one single commandment, we stand guilty of the whole law of God. Which means there are no insignificant sins. If we know that
it is sin, then we should pray that we would be delivered from it. There isn't
one good thing about smoking. What that ultimately means to us depends upon if
we would rather do the will of God, or our own will.
The Victory
We will never gain the victory over smoking so long as we keep telling
ourselves that we have some 'God given right' to pollute our body with this
substance. Victory over any sin starts with recognizing it for what it is,
confessing it as sin, and repenting of it.
"How do we get the victory over it?" For
starters, we must not coddle it, or make excuses for it, but confess that it is
indeed sin. Confession, repentance, and our need for the strength of Christ in
overcoming it, is paramount. We set our hearts on
things above, and pray the Lord will, "forgive us sinners, and give us
the strength to gain the victory in this trial." So many people leave
the Lord out in their attempt to overcome evil, and that is a big mistake.
Prayer is expressly 'for' these type situations, where we can take our problems
directly to the throne of God and Him who can solve them.
If thy hand offend thee, cut if off. In other words, we
break away from that which is an offense. We throw those cigarettes away, not
leave them around the house as a temptation. We cut it off leaving no avenue
for further tempting, and we lean upon the Lord for our strength.
2nd Corinthians 12:9
We don't need smoking,
God's Grace is enough for us. Our weakness for cigarettes will be manifest as
we grow realizing strength in the Lord. The power of God
working within us to alleviate the pressure to smoke. All
to His glory. The strength in humility, wherein we will no longer boast
that, 'I like smoking, so no one is going to tell me what to do!' The
strength wherein we put Christ first, and ourselves last. The
strength wherein we love our neighbor as ourselves, and wherein our concern for
them far outweighs our concern for our own pleasure. In this we will
find that giving up smoking is not giving up liberty, nor is it some sort of
prideful defeat. On the contrary, it is a realization of true Christian
liberty, and bountiful spoil in true victory. If we Glory, let us glory in the
Lord.
We pray that the Lord who is Gracious above all will give
you the wisdom and understanding to discern the truth of His Holy Word for our
lives
Amen!
Peace,
Copyright ©2001 Tony Warren
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