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Although smoking was unknown during the ages when the
Bible was being written, the Bible provides adequate teaching, through
principle, about this relatively modern habit.
In I Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul wrote to
Christians, "Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your
own? For you were bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit which are God's". Much modern evidence shows
smoking to be a health hazard to the extend that each package of
cigarettes must, by law, bear this message, "Warning: the Surgeon
General has determined that cigarette smoking is dangerous to your
health". Obviously, something dangerous to the health cannot possibly
enhance, or build up, the body. Smoking is contrary to healthful
practices and acts to weaken or destroy the body, which is the temple
of the Holy Spirit. Christians do not own their own bodies their bodies
are Christ's, bought and paid for by his death. Christians are not free
to use their bodies for pleasure and in any way they choose. They are
to glorify God in their bodies and since smoking does not glorify God,
smokers are in violation of this precept.
In Romans 14:21 and Romans 15:1-2, we are taught not to
offend our fellow-Christians and to take care to please our neighbors
that they might be saved. While smoking will not be noticed by some and
might please a very few, most people will be displeased by it and quite
a few will be greatly offended by it. Soul winning is more difficult
for smokers. In Phillipians 2:3-4, we read ".. Let each esteem other
better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on the things of others". In other words, be considerate. Be
thoughtful. Smokers cannot be thoughtful when smoking in a non-smokers
car, it will be weeks before he will be able to get all the odor from
the upholstery.
In a house, cigarette odor will linger for 2 or 3 days.
To non-smokers this is intolerable; to a few individuals smoke from
other's cigarettes can produce dangerous toxic reactions. Smoking is
against the principles of being careful not to offend and of being
considerate.
Smoking is wasteful of time and of money. Christians are
to be faithful stewards (Read Matthew 25:14-30), for, like our bodies,
our money and our time, are not ours, but Christ's.
Christians also need to come face to face with the
shocking realities that while more than 90% of all lung cancer victims
are smokers, scientific studies have also shown that smokers have more
than three time as many heart attacks as do non-smokers. We can simply
find no way, by which we can justify the willful destruction of our
bodies in such a manner. The Apostle Paul said, "Know you not that you
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If
any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple
of God is holy, which temple you are? I Corinthians 3:16-17.
Most smokers find quitting difficult. The smoker
who loves Christ has good reason to want to quit, and thus the battle
is nearly won. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me". If you are a smoker and wish to
quit, pray often for strength. Some smokers can quit easily, while
others find it difficult. If you are one of these, endure the
discomforts, remembering always that you can do so for your Christ;
your agony is small compared to that which He suffered for you. You can
quit for Him, for His cause, and for the sake of all those who your
smoking might otherwise lose for Christ.
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