can a christian smoke...??

September 12, 2004

i wonder if any here feel guilty for trying to force their own condemnation on others instead of allowing God the opportunity to work on us all at His pace?

Well stated Lady. I, for one, do not feel any guilt about smoking.

Now then Lady, get out your frying pan and get ready to bash me up the side of me head, because:

In my opinion, the worst thing health-wise about smoking is smoking cigarettes that are of the low-tar and nicotine variety. They have been treated with so many chemicals to lower these substances. That

September 12, 2004

LOL, no frying pan. i don't know the tar/nicotine level of the brand i smoke, nor do i care. i smoke the cheapest brand that still tastes good.

smoking does not produce any feelings of guilt in me either. BUT, i will acknowledge that i have felt convicted over smoking in specific circumstances... sometimes i heeded that conviction, other times i stubbornly ignored it, but i ALWAYS recognized it in those situations... for example, i've always smoked in my home, and for the most part, this isn't a problem. but if we were watching a movie together with my youngest daughter, particularly if there was more than one smoker in the room, i would feel convicted often to take my cigarette outside. sometimes i listened, sometimes i didn't. but i recognized it.

overall, i have never felt any conviction or guilt regarding smoking in general.

September 12, 2004

Thanx Lady. I thought you were gonna smack me up the side of the head!

eric · September 12, 2004

Hi folks,

I was like Lady C and John. I was convicted of all the rotteness you can think fo, but never smoking. He turned my life around 180 degrees and like Lady I prayed and prayed about smoking because I was told it was a sin and a stumbling block. I considered that even so, I had a great relationship with the father and He wanted me to quit I would know. Two years ago, right out of the blue, I felt it was time to I quit and I did and I've never wanted to light up since. That was after 65 years of the habit. It might be a bad habit,but I don't consider it as sin.

cheers,

eric.

September 12, 2004

amen eric. someday i believe God will tell me it's time... i hope when that time comes, i'll be willing to put them down without an argument... sometimes God has to thump me on the head a few time, not to hear, but to obey!

September 12, 2004

Hi folks,

I was like Lady C and John. I was convicted of all the rotteness you can think fo, but never smoking. He turned my life around 180 degrees and like Lady I prayed and prayed about smoking because I was told it was a sin and a stumbling block. I considered that even so, I had a great relationship with the father and He wanted me to quit I would know. Two years ago, right out of the blue, I felt it was time to I quit and I did and I've never wanted to light up since. That was after 65 years of the habit. It might be a bad habit,but I don't consider it as sin.

cheers,

eric.

other one · September 12, 2004

Well I got in on this 4 pages deep, but I agree with LadyC. I don't think it is a sin.

God did tell me to quit about 20 years ago in no uncertain terms, but it was for the sake of my wife and what she wanted. My smoking was interfering with our marriage.

I was on the carport in 17 degree weather with a 30 mile an hour wind blowing when the Lord touched me on the shoulder and said, "let me show you where you are going with those things."

Well it didn't take but one small vision to decide that smokeless was better than loneliness so I quit. I gave my wife fits for a month (subconsciously I hope) but I am really glad I did quit.

I don't really remember having a lot of withdrawal symptoms but I was quite bitter for a few weeks that I had to quit. How childish was that...

If He wants you to quit, believe me he can put it to you in a way that there is no question whatsoever....

Botz · September 13, 2004

I guess I find it a little odd that one needs conviction from G-d that to continue smoking is not really expedient when each packet of cigarettes carries a government health warning...(or it does here in the UK)...and as I mentioned before just a few minutes thinking about the overall effects of smoke inhalation should be enough to get one to reconsider. I believe G-d calls us to be wise in the outworking of our faith...

James 3:13 Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good conduct with meekness of wisdom.

In my experience I do not think we always need a personal tap on the shoulder by the Holy Ghost to show us where we are surrendering to weaknesses especially when they are so obvious...what mature Christians who smoke probably need from the Holy Spirit is a little conviction about their stubbornness.

Orr v'emet · September 13, 2004

what mature Christians who smoke probably need from the Holy Spirit is a little conviction about their stubbornness.

I don't smoke but I can be stubborn. I need this :down:

Crusader4Christ · September 13, 2004

I've never smoked. I never want to smoke. I don't want to partake in anything that may hinder my relationship with God, and ruin my health, slowly but surely. I don't rightfully know if it's a sin, but I'll assure you that I don't want to take any chances. I believe God would rather I not touch the stuff, and with good reason.