The Bible does not mention smoking * or other means of using tobacco. However, it contains principles showing that God does not approve of unhealthy and unclean habits and thus views smoking as a sin.
Respect for life. "God . . . gives to all people life and breath." ( Acts 17:24, 25) Since life is a gift from God, we should not do anything that would shorten our life, such as smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of preventable death worldwide.
Love of neighbor. "You must love your neighbor as yourself." ( Matthew 22:39) Smoking around others does not show love. Those who are routinely subjected to secondhand smoke are at higher risk of some of the same diseases that smokers often suffer from.
The Bible does not say much specifically about smoking cigarettes, although it does deal with good pursuits and bad habits. However, smoke is an irritant and God does not encourage people to fill their lungs with irritants.
Proverbs 10:26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
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.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [you could die from disease]
The Greek word translated "expedient" (sumphero) means literally, "to bear or bring together"; with a personal reference, "to be well or profitable." In the New Testament it never means "profitable" or "convenient" as opposed to what is strictly right. It is translated "expedient" ( John 11:50, "it is expedient for us," the Revised Version (British and American) "for you".
1 Corinthians3:16,17 comes to my mind with things such as smoking.
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.
If we are born again, the Blessed Spirit of God indwells us. WE are His dwelling place, and where He is, it follows that we would want to keep our house separate unto Him.
We know smoking is unhealthy for our bodies; it is addictive; we also now know that second-hand smoke harms others; and smoking is VERY expensive and a big waste of money. Buying cigarettes, which are so harmful, is bad stewardship of health and finances!
There is no virtue in smoking! It is sinning against our own health and the health of those around us who have to inhale our fumes!
Thank you for this very relevant message Kay and GiGi.
These are the verses I would recommend to someone who is curious about what the Bible says about any substance abuse (over-eating, alcohol, drug addition, lusts of the flesh, etc). It's a bondage and as much as it leads to a spiritual death...it most certainly can/will lead to a much more abrupt physical death.
Romans 6:16
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
If our members be yielded to substance...which route will it lead to: death or of obedience unto righteousness? There is nonsuch righteous in smoking but only an eventual death as we destroy the temple which God has given to us.
Not to sound hypocritical either...some years back I was given into smoking (not cigarettes but something far worse). That which I did affected not only my spiritual body but the Spiritual. I sincerely believe that God's going to judge me swiftly for these things too. I fear God and I know that will be a day of shame for me. But, I had a choice not to do it and I disobeyed. You too have a choice and there's always time to quit. Place 100% of yourself in Christ Jesus and His Word. There is no cure great than Jesus Christ and His Golden Gospel.
Kay, I was raised in a smoking home. Hated it. I have always believed that our longs are for exchanging fresh air, not for handling the substances people inhale by smoking. If we use our bodies in the way God intended we will be more healthy, but more importantly, we honor God with our bodies.
I know that smoking is hard to quit and remain "the quitter". It just reminds me that we all have ways/habits we could ask God to change and release us from.
Respect for life. "God . . . gives to all people life and breath." ( Acts 17:24, 25) Since life is a gift from God, we should not do anything that would shorten our life, such as smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of preventable death worldwide.
Love of neighbor. "You must love your neighbor as yourself." ( Matthew 22:39) Smoking around others does not show love. Those who are routinely subjected to secondhand smoke are at higher risk of some of the same diseases that smokers often suffer from.
Proverbs 10:26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
1 Corinthians 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.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [you could die from disease]
The Greek word translated "expedient" (sumphero) means literally, "to bear or bring together"; with a personal reference, "to be well or profitable." In the New Testament it never means "profitable" or "convenient" as opposed to what is strictly right. It is translated "expedient" ( John 11:50, "it is expedient for us," the Revised Version (British and American) "for you".
1 Corinthians3:16,17 comes to my mind with things such as smoking.
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.
If we are born again, the Blessed Spirit of God indwells us. WE are His dwelling place, and where He is, it follows that we would want to keep our house separate unto Him.
We know smoking is unhealthy for our bodies; it is addictive; we also now know that second-hand smoke harms others; and smoking is VERY expensive and a big waste of money. Buying cigarettes, which are so harmful, is bad stewardship of health and finances!
There is no virtue in smoking! It is sinning against our own health and the health of those around us who have to inhale our fumes!
I hope that this helps!
Blessings!
These are the verses I would recommend to someone who is curious about what the Bible says about any substance abuse (over-eating, alcohol, drug addition, lusts of the flesh, etc). It's a bondage and as much as it leads to a spiritual death...it most certainly can/will lead to a much more abrupt physical death.
Romans 6:16
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
If our members be yielded to substance...which route will it lead to: death or of obedience unto righteousness? There is nonsuch righteous in smoking but only an eventual death as we destroy the temple which God has given to us.
Not to sound hypocritical either...some years back I was given into smoking (not cigarettes but something far worse). That which I did affected not only my spiritual body but the Spiritual. I sincerely believe that God's going to judge me swiftly for these things too. I fear God and I know that will be a day of shame for me. But, I had a choice not to do it and I disobeyed. You too have a choice and there's always time to quit. Place 100% of yourself in Christ Jesus and His Word. There is no cure great than Jesus Christ and His Golden Gospel.
I know that smoking is hard to quit and remain "the quitter". It just reminds me that we all have ways/habits we could ask God to change and release us from.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
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