Is SMOKING still a SIN?

Dear Brethren,There is a multitude of people out there that think it is OK for a Christian to smoke. It has become a "Bad habit", "crutch", "addiction" or just a "weakness", but in God's eyes it is still a sin!What do you think? And why do you think so?In Christ,Gery

smoking is a sin as it harms the body, but in my experience, God deals with smoking in some and not others, why? I believe the 'others' have greater sins that need to be dealt with, and God will get to the smoking later on. Please remember we all have vices and will not be perfect this side of Heaven, but God will deal with us a bit at a time and get rid of weaknesses we have. I foe ex have a foul mouth, though not in front of others, and I know it's wrong and do try to deal with it, however there is a darker problem that needs to be addressed first :-( . Please don't think I am excuising my sin, I am ashamed of it, but one day at a time, please.

Certainly smoking is still a sin. And no, we will not be perfect this side of heaven, but smoking is so incredibly harmful to one's temple.I was a smoker for 16 years- I loved it! But it was killing me. I knew I needed to quit- I told Jesus I was finished with it, but I would need His divine help to quit it. I wanted to repent-I set a date- put on the patch and never looked back. It has been 1 &1/2 years and I have not touched a cigarette since! Really, if I would have known that it was so easy-(I was actually scared to quit) that Jesus really wanted to help me- I would have quit a long time ago. I do not and am not trying to be preachy about it- but if you smoke- quit! you will be amazed at how the Lord will deliver you from the bondage satan wants to keep you in. Stop harming your temple and you will get power to overcome other issues and you will grow spiritually. :-)Our God is mighty to save! Mary

It's better to ask: Is smoking unhealthy? Keep in mind that the eating habits of our nations are killing us - processed foods, refined sugar, fat, etc etc. Generally speaking, we are in denial about food issues. We know overeating is sin, but at church we have gluttonous pot lucks - with foods containing harmful poisions. We don't feel any guilt about that, so why should we say anything about smoking?To follow your train of thought, we would ask: Is eating hot dogs a sin? It is better to simply say, Hot dogs have very little nutritional value, and the chemicals in them harm our bodies. So we shouldn't eat them (and a whole lot of other "foods". Add to that a lot of pharmaceuticals, cigarrettes, lack of excercise, too much worry, air polution etc. What is the sin: It is loving the things in this world more than Christ. 1 John 2:15Do not love the world or anything in the world." This includes the "delicacies" of the culture - which for us is refined foods. Our bodies are amazing. They can get rid of alot of bad chemicals. But there is a limit to what our bodies can handle and so we should not excede the threshold. One who smokes only a little bit is far better off than a chain smoker.Diane

I feel I have to disagree with you here. If a person overeats, that is only harming oneself. Cigarettes produce 2nd hand smoke that causes much harm to others.Hardly the same. If it is not harmful to others, why has smoking been banned in so many restaurants, malls, most public places and eating hot dogs has not? Here in Michigan, you can't smoke in Mc Donalds, but you can eat junk food.Also, smoking cigarettes is being addicted to a very dangerous drug, you don't have to be at least 18 to buy a hot dog, and eating hot dogs and junk food doesn't make people sick who happen to be standing near you.They really don't have anything to do with one another.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

So someone has been newly born again from the world, and they're a smoker. God doesn't deliver them from their habit straight away - are they in sin when lighting up? I personally don't think so. I think there is a big misunderstanding about what sin actually is (not saying that i've got it!) that has more of an "law" approach than the new testament pattern. Surely the whole answer is in Romans 14:23:"But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."As soon as you're at that point - "doubting', unable to smoke in faith it becomes sin to the individual, I think. As I see it there are some things that I imagine can never be done in faith, others that can for some and not others. Is watching a film a sin? I know some people who can't watch one in faith...

Is smoking a sin?The issue is this - If one is to follow Christ, they must understand that their life isn't their own. Their bodies aren't their own, their time is not their own, and their desires to pursue their own interests in this world must be left at the cross. The message that Christ (along with the whole bible) brought was an ultimatum between serving yourself and denying yourself to take up your cross and follow Him. In smoking a ciggerate, the issue of sin does not lie in the ciggerate or the science of it's affects. The sin in the heart is the pursuit to "make this world your home." To pursue earthly pleasure is to reject the call of Christ. Is pleasure bad? Of course not. It's a by-product. However, the pursuit of pleasure is a direct result of a heart that refuses to count ALL a loss for Christ.Christ refused to love this world and was only set on the will of the Father and the eternal things. To be His disciples, we must do the same. We must not love our lives in this world.Smoking is no different than goin to starbucks, reading a book, working out, watching TV, hangin with friends, or even pursuing missionary work and other things that seem "good" in and of themselves. The question is, "deep in our hearts, why do we pursure these things? Is it to better follow Christ, serve His kingdom, and know Him more? Or is it to make our stay on earth a little more pleasuralbe to our tastes?"And, if it IS to pursue God's interests, is it something done in obedience to what He has said? Or do we have an agenda as to how we want to do it?Paul says, "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable."He also says that we must "do ALL things as unto the Lord." Again he says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition."Smoknig is not a "sin". However, serving yourself IS the essence of sin in that your allegiance is to yourself rather than God.Let us, in our hearts, reject this world and all the temporary pleasures that we may have God as our soul's contentment. Let us leave our idols and pleasures in Egypt and be willing to endure this temporary wilderness on earth in full allegience to God.....and one day, after being tested to see if we love Him, we will enter into His promise- eternal life.Ernestito

I heard a preacher talk about this once:a man came up to him and said "Pastor will you pray for me i want to give up smoking" the pastor said yeah sure, so they prayed and the pastor lead him in a prayer and at the end of the pastor told him to promise God he'd never put another cigarette in his mouth! the man said "I'm not promising God that!!" and the pastor said "Then you dont to be delivered from smoking at all!"a bit extreme as Jesus warns us from making vowes before God:Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Matt 5:33-37)but you get the picture

Ernestito said: In smoking a ciggerate, the issue of sin does not lie in the ciggerate or the science of it's affects. The sin in the heart is the pursuit to "make this world your home." To pursue earthly pleasure is to reject the call of Christ. Is pleasure bad? Of course not. It's a by-product. However, the pursuit of pleasure is a direct result of a heart that refuses to count ALL a loss for Christ.I think this says it all. Thank you,Ernestito, and welcome to the forum. I look forward to hearing more of your insight. Do let us know about yourself. Where are you from?Diane

I said this in another thread once...I heard a preacher once say :I don't know if smoking will send you to hell but it will sure make you smell like it.

I heard a preacher once say :I don't know if smoking will send you to hell but it will sure make you smell like it.Thank you for sharing this clergical insight. I will surely pass it on to all those I know who smoke. d

It is definately a sin. Saved or unsaved sin is sin. The Holy Spirit is using this thread to draw folks out of bondage. Give IN to the pricks in your heart to quit!!!!!! Dont reject the Lords movements in your life.If you take a step of faith to quit, flush all the cigs down the toilet and ask the Lord for forgiveness he will deliver you from this imprisonment. I recently was in the bondage of substance abuse. As a Christian I could not have full peace in my heart and was unable to have clear communication with God because I was regarding sin in my heart. I stuggled on last Friday night with the Holy Spirit. The Lord was guiding me to flush the two oz. of grade A weed down the toilet. I prayed to the Lord and fell asleep. When I woke up the preacher was in my house speaking with my parents. I went out back smoked a cigarrete and then went back in. I sat down next to the preacher and revealed my problem to him and my parents. We prayed and then the Lord delivered me! I flushed $650 dollars worth of drugs down the toilet. This was last Saturday. Since then the Lord has lifted the scales off of my eyes! I see almost everything now in a diffrent light! I was so afraid that it would be laborious to quit. Quite the contrarty. The Lord has made even walking out the front door more fufilling since this change. God doesnt need patches. I was smoking at least a pack a day. I was also smoking weed daily and even using some harder drugs on occasion. The Lord will not let his children live peacefully in sin. He delivered me completely with one single step of faith. He will do the same for you.

Hm. The greatest Christian once said to the effect ... All things are permissable, but not all things are wise.So is smoking a "sin"?I would have to say no. As one had mentioned earlier, the second cause of death in America is obescity. We are sick because we have too darn much? Then I read someone else post, it is a sin because you are hurting others, unlike eating when you are hurting yourself. So this increases the severity of sin before the eyes of God? I have a friend. With the work of the Holy Ghost, I helped guide my friend to the Lord earlier this year. He is a smoker. When I was trying to breastfeed him the word, I would constantly badger him about his smoking. Being that I am his superior at work I would, at some times, deny him a desired cigarette break. Down the line, I realize how bad I approached the situation. See the lot of us tend to have this problem: We try to cure instead of care for the human being that is deteriorating their lungs. I personally hate cigarettes. And I personally hate the habit. And I personally hate the tobacco companies. And I personally hate my friends habit. But I would really be stretching to say "Smoking is a sin". Might be for you ... but maybe not the next person. I know of amazing theologians ... anointed theologians ... who smoked til the day they were buried & through their masterpieces on paper, I know that the Spirit of God was working in a mighty way within.So, sin or not, that is up to one's conscious when it comes to smoking. I personally feel it is detestable and GEES do you smell!Let's try to care them into healthy lungs, let's stop trying to be doctors! =)In Love

Hm. The greatest Christian once said to the effect ... All things are permissable, but not all things are wise.Ok. so with this reasoning you are saying there is no such thing as sin? Just because we are permitted to sin doesnt mean that makes it any less of a sin. When you knowingly breath harmful smoke into your body it is wrong

Because we live under grace and not the law, does this mean we are to sin? In Pauls translated words "Not at all!".Paul might've sounded like a liberal at times, especially to the hard-hearts of the Pharisees. Paul was in no way trying to reason the world & himself out of sin. And neither am I. Saying all things are permissable is sound. It will get twarted out of control if it is removed from its context. So again, this is no reasoning for the allowance of sin. I don't want to sound like I'm pro-tobacco, again I state, I hate it, but it is definitely a stretch-calling it sin. You knowingly ate that junk ... did you sin?You knowingly let yourself listen to that song ... did you sin?You knowingly looked at MTV ... did you sin?Does God perfer the non-smoker over the smoker?A lot of things we do to our bodies is "wrong". Let's make a list, we'll be here all night. Tattooing poisons the blood. Is that a sin as well? Would the Lord reject me for putting ink to my flesh? And if so ... why? If I bring it to the Lord, & convicts me not, & am getting a tattoo with faith that this will not hinder my relationship with the Lord, then it is not sin. If you believe it will. Then it is sin.Now, we must also act in love. If what I do will become a stumbling block to you bro, then it is sin for I am no longer acting in love. Again & finally ... I do not want to be simplistic here, not all things are of the conscious, but if I have not been convicted of smoking or for my decision about getting a tattoo, it is not a sin for I am doing it in faith and not doubting.But am I to look down upon you?Are you to judge me?In Paul's words ... "NO!" =)In Love

You knowingly ate that junk ... did you sin?You knowingly let yourself listen to that song ... did you sin?You knowingly looked at MTV ... did you sin?Yes. Anything we do that Jesus would not have done knowingly because it was wrong is sin. There is no middle ground with the Lord. Its black and white. We are commanded to abstain from all appearences of evil. When you do something that is against what we know to be right through the principals of Gods word it is sin and is deserving of eternal punishment.

One could argue that eating a fatty cheeseburger is also deystroying your temple and therefore is a sin. I think its about the value we place it in our lives if it is an addiction that controls aspects of our lives it is an idol and must be dealt with. I for one have a cigar with pastor friends of mine during a golf game. Its a yearly tradition. I don't think its a sin, it brings fellowship to one another. So I think its a question of addiction and value in our lives.

I for one have a cigar with pastor friends of mine during a golf game. Its a yearly tradition. I don't think its a sin, it brings fellowship to one another. So I think its a question of addiction and value in our lives. I thik it's more a question of are we really prepared to die to self and what we want to do in our lives and live for Him and what He wants from us. I Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,This fits in here somewhere ;-) Tommy (Zionslave) Thanks for your post, I've just been told off for being balck and white :-(

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 James 4:11..@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

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

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.

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; proveyour own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that JesusChrist is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Yes. Blessings.

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

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

And by the way .. Blake .. awesome awesome pointIn Love

WWJDIn Christ,GaryE

Hi Tiltedhalo,I am sure that you will not go to Hell for watching MTV, but what type of fruit is that ??I am sorry, but I can not see that falling into the standard of being holy as He is holy!!The way is NARROW. You may ask,"How narrow?" and my answer will be, "Narrower than you can ever imagine."By quoting 1 Peter 4:8, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." You are admitting that smoking is a sin. I do not believe that verse covers smoking. THAT BOAT WON'T FLOAT!!!Come on people, lets get real with ourselves. Are we living according to His standard or ours?In Him,ruby

Hi TiltedHalo...!"Tattooing poisons the blood. Is that a sin as well? Would the Lord reject me for putting ink to my flesh? And if so ... why?"That is interesting. I've always thought of a tattoo as "body graffiti." Since your "body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit," I suppose that he should be consulted before getting such a decoration. Remember, the Temple was "decorated" (remember those golden pomegranates) -- but the decorations were specifically ordered of God. I've never really cared for tattoos much. And after many years, a tattoo isn't very nice looking (in my opinion). Have you ever seen a 90 year old with a 72 year old tattoo? Yikes!As for the practice of smoking, there are alot of well-respected believers through history who smoked (C.S.Lewis being one of the most noted -- he hardly took a photo without a cigar in his mouth). Alot of this may have been the result of pre-twentieth century medical understanding, and not knowing the damage that smoking can cause to yourself and others.However, we now know that smoking is most definitely a direct cause of cancer. Not only that, but most serious studies point that smoking causes cancer in others (through secondhand smoke). Those who seem to defend tobacco by comparing it to big, juicy hamburgers and french fries might sound strange, but may be on to something. While I am not defending tobbacco, eating unhealthy foods may be just as dangerous to our own bodies. Such a diet leads to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In the United States, heart disease (often caused by excess cholesterol) is the leading cause of death -- even outranking cancer. So perhaps it is just as bad as smoking (except that it impacts only your own health, rather than the health of others). Of course, there aren't any "Thou shalt not smoke" scriptures contained within the Word. But there are warnings about taking care of our bodies (which most of us are aware of). 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. I Corinthians 3:16The important thing is that we do not pass judgment on those who smoke. They are probably just as aware of the consequences of their behavior than anyone else. But there are some sincere believers that have smoked, and it took a little time for God to convict them of such practices. My mother is one of them. She smoked for about two months after giving her life to the Lord. She just didn't understand that smoking was wrong until the Holy Spirit revealed it to her. The key is to be patient with those that smoke, and love them despite of their habit. I'm sure that we all have had things that God took a little time to help us overcome. And of course, instead of pointing fingers, we should privately pray for them. :-)

Dear Brethren,The following is only for those of you who have AN EAR TO HEAR, please!Much has been said. What is sad to me is how something like tobacco has become a “grey area” to some of you. I wonder why? Is it maybe because there are other sins in your lives or the life of a family member that you feel guilty of and therefore you condone this sin? Perhaps lust or worldliness? Or smoking? Here are some facts to proof why it is a sin:i) Addictive: The active ingredient in cigarettes is Nicotine. It is categorised under Stimulants. Other stimulants are: Cocaine, Ecstasy and Amphetamine. Tobacco users are slaves not users. Why do you think it is one of the richest industries in the world? It is legal drug trading!Those of you who claim that it is not an addiction, here’s a test:Ask a smoker not to smoke for three full days, and observe the following: Intense craving, irritation, impatience, fits of rage sleeplessness and even depression are but a few of the many withdraw symptoms and most of them start within the first two hours. The reason smokers say smoking is a weakness or a habit is something Modern Psychology explains as “DENIAL” refering to addicts.But what does the Bible say about “drugs”?“The works of the flesh are evident…sorcery…those who practice such will not inherit the kingdom of God” Galatians 5:20,21 (See also Rev. 21:8)“Sorcery” is translated from a root Greek word “Pharmakon”, which means drug. And you thought the word drug was not found in the Bible. If we look at drugs closely we see that it has a supernatural (lacking a better word) effect on us, because it alters the mood. For those of you that smoke or used to smoke, what happens when you get up in the morning and drag that first cigarette? You get a rush, don’t you? Well that is what a smoker is after, chasing that feeling of well-being. All day long keeping the levels up.\tii) Harmful:Smoking is the Number One cause of both heart disease and lung cancer. Smokers are 24 times more likely to get lung cancer. Sorry for those of you who try and put smoking on the par with junk food. As my doctor once said to me, “Smoking is the single worst thing you can do for your health.” Other illnesses include Bronchitus, Emfisema, Brain damage, lip cancer, throught cancer and high blood pressure. It also causes earlier aging of the skin and organs.What does the Bible say about destroying your body?“do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…you were bought at a price; glorify God in your body” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 \tiii) Selfish:Smokers only think of themselves. Because of the addiction they are caught up in, they plan their whole lives around getting their fixes. They always make sure they have enough, they make sure when planning something that there will be enough opportunity for them to smoke. Many smokers smoke where others are irritated by the smell of their smoke. Some parents even smoke in cars with the poor kids in it. A smoker always stink of their god: both the hair, clothes and their surroundings stink! It is also known that smokers will lie in order to make an excuse to smoke.And the Bible says the following concerning selfishness:“Let no man seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being” 1 Corinthians 10:24“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition…look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” Phillipians 2:3,4I have only shown 3 reasons why smoking is a sin, other reasons are Idolatry, uncleanness, disobedience, dishonoring God, worldliness and being a stumbling block. Ask any unsaved person if they think a Christian should smoke and they will say NEVER! Sad how they have a better idea of God’s will for us than the so-called Christians. Show me one Christian who smokes and is on fire for God?If you have an ear to hear, and you realize your sin, Call out to God now! I urge you to repent today. John says he who is born of God does not continue in sin, but the same John said that He who is in you is greater than the devil. He also said that Jesus was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8). Close your ears to anyone who claims that smoking is not a sin, for they are deceived. There is a story of a man called Pastor Hsi, who was an Opium addict. When he came to Christ he wanted to stop his addiction and went through Hell. It was not easy, but by God’s grace he went through the fire of temptation. He said: “I would rather die than use Opium again”. This is the point that addicts must come to, by the grace of God. The Bible says the following:“You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4)

Jam 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

Brother Gery,Recently Brother Greg, the "Administrator" of SermonIndex started a thread asking all of us what particular scripture that the Lord had been showing to us in our walk in him. I wrote the exact scripture that you quoted at the end of your post:“You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4) The reason i shared that scripture with everyone is because to me, God is speaking and dealing with me specifically about my smoking. I have been smoking for 25 years and i do not condone it either. I know in my heart of hearts it's wrong.I wanted to thank you for your post because with me it's right on time. It's so very hard to quit and i feel like a total hipocrite smoking. I also wrestle in my heart will i go to heaven or hell since i smoke. At any rate i'm working very hard on it since the Lord gave me that scripture you posted. That's why i posted that same scripture because greg wanted to know what has the Lord "recently" been sharing with us but didn't want us to expound why and that was ok with me. Your just right on time with your post, like i said, atleast with and for me. I agree with your post as well. The Lord Bless you and please pray that one day very soon i can be free and delivered from smoking. To be totatly and completly surrendered to God.

Dearest Brother Kadmiel,When I read your reply, tears come to my heart. And if these words could help, I know what you are going through! I used to take drugs, stuff like Ecstacy, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana and alcohol. I ended up in hospital because of it. After a long road of struggling with these addictions I finally came to the "last outpost", which was Cigarettes. The most difficult thing for me to quit was Tobacco, I dont know why? My father also quit smoking just 3 or 4 months ago and he was a smoker for probably 3 decades, same as you are. After he quit he suddenly had a new desire for the Lord and a zeal to speak of the things of God. He initially tried quiting with Zyban, then he tried Nicorettes which is a replacement chewing gum, but eventually he just put it down and never smoked since. In my case, I new it was creating a seperation between me and the Lord, but only after I broke before God concerning other things I put it down. The next couple of days was a living Hell to me. I think Day 3 or 4 was the worst! But from there it became gradually easier.The following is not a recipe, but a few guidelines that helped me:i) Confess smoking as a sin before God, it is not a bad habit.ii) Smoking could be a symptom of a deeper problem, like stress, fear, guilt, other sins or even occult bondage. Therefore,iii) Be thoroughly cleansed of all known sin. Go to a brother with a good testimony and who lives a godly life, someone you look up to, and confess these things praying with him to the Lord for cleansing and deliverance. (James 5:6, Matt. 18:19,20)iv) Receive His forgiveness, cleansing and deliverance in Jesus Name, trusting in Him and never to look back again. v) His children have His Spirit and remember especially these two fruits: Faith and Self-control. Even if you don't experience/feel delivered, take Him at His Word. He never lies! (John 8:36)vi) Resist the urge to smoke as the devil himself tempting you (James 4:7)vii) Throw away all Cigarettes, Tabacco, pipes, lighters, matches, ash-trays, etc. viii) Refrain from coffee, Coke, tea and other things that have stimulants in it, because these will make the urge bigger. Drink lots of water, eat healthier food, do some exercises when you get the urge, etcviii) Replace the craving with prayer, Bible reading. These cravings normally last a few secands or minutes to the next one. (2 Cor. 10:5)ix) The first three days is the worst, from there it is a whole lot easier if you use everyday to get closer to God."Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phi 2:13) May the Lamb of God who TAKES AWAY the sin of the world be your strength. We are praying for you! In His love,Gery"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness." - A. W. Pink

Brother Gery,Wow, i couldn't believe not only your heart felt concern but the length of it as well. Thank you very much and i will surely take what you have said to heart. I must do this that i may "Know" the Lord! That i may truly walk in the spirit and not the flesh. To be found in favor with the Lord, always pleasing him. I'm greatfull for your response and much needed help in this area.

Natural thing?Surely, circumcision is not a natural thing, yet God's people indulge in that.Cigars and murder are a tough analogy. Yep, sin is sin and all sin is sin, but...Enjoy a cigar now and then, but not in front of a brother who has quit and cannot be around temptations.As with all other worldly distractions, do not use to the point where you are not sober enough to be ready for His return, and to observe both the great and the new commandments. And if in doubt, do not imbibe...

Dear mloaksCan you ask God's blessing on the cigar you smoke? And can you thank Him for supplying you with it? Can you imagine Jesus Christ with a Cigar in His mouth?It reminds me of a Zulu story I once heard. For the sake of others I will change it into a Western context. A man was offered to buy a beautiful house, but in the contract it was clearly stipulated that a wall-mounted hook on an interior wall of the house would remain the property of the previous owner. After much consideration and thought, this man decided to continue with buying this house. Together with his family they moved in. After a while the previous owner came back to hang something on HIS hook. This owner was annoyed, but what could he do? It was in the contract. The family eventually got used to the stranger's belongings on the hook in their house. But then, after some time, this previous owner came with the impossible. He brought along a carcass of a dead animal and hung it on his hook. You can imagine, a few weeks later it was stinking so badly that they had to evacuate their beautiful house. Just because of a single hook that belonged to that previous owner!If we are not ruthless with sin and the world, it will destroy us. The Bible says: " Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrew 12:1)In His love,Gery

yes

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent So in the contex of our conversation here it is actually better to smoke a pack a day knowing it is sin and that there is need of repentance than to try to justify it as OK. Circumsision was commanded by God. Inhaling poison of course is not. Ultimately the high road to take would be to never smoke. I am willing to say that if you make that commitment the Lord will bless you like never before. Step out in faith! The Lord will not leave you wanting. The Spirit of the Lord will be there in times of "craving" or temptation to give you peace. Give all your concerns to Him. He loves you!