Why do Christians so vehemently defend their fellow Christians nasty sin of smoking?

Question

When they know it is killing them and damaging the health of others around them? Why do they continue to support when they know they should condemn? I ask this question with all kindness humility and grace.

Answer 1

I don't.

Answer 2

This question makes me laugh a little bit. You cannot condemn with grace. Grace is recieving of the good that one doesn't deserve as well as not getting the bad that someone does deserve. We are under the grace of God. We are under the grace because Christ died as the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

If you walk up to someone and tell them something that discourages them, are you not sinning according to Ephesians 4:29 that says that you should not speak any unwholesome talk but only that which is uplifting to everyone that is around you? Every single Christian sins. And, to God, EVERY sin is a nasty sin--not just the ones that you don't like. If you believe that someone is sinning when they are smoking, why not pray for them and continue to be their friend. Many people smoke because it is a stress reliever, and they may have something very difficult going on. Stop and ask what is wrong before you consider that they are just awful people because they light up a cigarette a few times in a day.

We are here to walk with one another. We are on a journey as the body of Christ together. If we are condemning one another, we cannot do the work that God wants us to do on earth.

Answer 3

It is not a sin to smoke.... however, it may be a sin to be addicted to smoking... that is hard to identify but still possible for some to do one without the other, but not many.

Many people believe that anything that harms the body is sinful. This is not true. If that were the case the practically every processed thing we eat or medicine we take would potential be just as sinful.

They will quote you a scripture of about the body being the temple of God and how that smoking defiles the temple and is therefore sinful. This is not true. Jesus says it is not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out of the man..... perversion, lies, wickedness, fornication, murders, slanders, this things defile a man.

However, some may find that the repetitive necessity of smoking may be sinful but then you would have to examine if all habits of personal pleasure are sinful. YES the bible does allow pleasure if you read it correctly. For example sex is supposed to be the main pleasure of marriage. The only time it is sanctioned by God in the writings.

Back to the topic,

I would therefore say that it is only a practice that many may find annoying almost as much as people talking on their cell phones in certain places and times. Many people have many annoying and gross habits such as peircing and tattooing to some as well as eating to obesity for still others.

Smoking is a personal issue. However, I think all smokers should practice a little more restraint and Christian virtue and do onto others as you would have them do unto you and not suffer them to deal with your second hand smoke. Although family members and others close may have to show some respect to the smoker in their wishes to smoke in certain places.

Answer 4

smoking isn't a sin.

however, gluttony is. in other words, i think the idea is not to do too much of any one thing because it could be harmful. such as eating or drinking.

condemnation is judgement. passing judgement upon others is a sin. perhaps it is your own life, and not the one other's choose to lead and be responsible for, that you should worry about. perhaps there is a "mote" in your eye, hmmm?

luckily...i'm pagan. we don't judge each other and spend countless hours pointing out the sins of each other. it's very refreshing.

"kindness, humility, and grace". i think perhaps you are in need of a dictionary. there is no humility in your question, kindness isn't involved in condemnation and grace has nothing to do with focusing on the sins of others.

Answer 5

Betty Boop, we do not support Christians who smoke even though they are in our churches. Is smoking a sin? Yes it is. It is a form of Idolatry which has a believer in bondage to the desire of his flesh. Some people can't stop smoking which falls under the sin of lasciviousness ( no restraint or lack of self control). But at the same time, understand we don't have the right to throw out or keep out smoking Christians. But we understand that the Lord Himself draws them in for the purpose on helping them get delivered. Our job as fellow Christians is to love on them until they recieved their deliverance. As for any church that encourages believers to smoke it is sin.

Answer 6

It is mainly here in the south. There are many churches where people smoke out front. But I know of no church that would allow some one to finish off their beer before coming inside. I've never been to a church where people play craps between Sunday school and the morning service. But it is rare to find a pastor who will stand up to the smokers.

Answer 7

Your rite...and here are some verse to back up ur statement.

The use of tobacco injures health and defiles the body.

"Know ye not that ye 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 ye are." 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17.

Nicotine is an addictive substance that enslaves people.

Romans 6:16 says that we become servants to whomever (or whatever) we yield ourselves. Tobacco users are servants of nicotine. Jesus says, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10.

The tobacco habit is unclean.

"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17. It is really preposterous to think of Christ using tobacco in any form, isn't it?

The use of tobacco never draws anyone closer to Christ.

"Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11. Tobacco use is a fleshly lust.

The use of tobacco shortens life.

Recent scientific findings confirm the fact that the use of tobacco often shortens the life span by as much as one-third. This breaks God's command against killing (Exodus 20:13). Even though it is slow murder, it is still murder. One of the best ways to postpone your funeral is to quit using tobacco.

Answer 8

Betty,
I have never done so and I never would. I have spent time in years past around smokers and never asked them NOT to smoke but I have never smoked and would never do so. I have been a Christian for the last twenty plus years and none of my immediate family smokes either. Have a great evening and a wonderful weekend!
Thanks,
Eds

Answer 9

I wouldn't defend it at all, though I would accept a persons right to smoke whether they are Christian or not. But I would not allow anyone to smoke on my property, and have also asked people not to smoke in some designated non-smoking areas that they were ignoring.

Answer 10

Do you also condemn fat people? Obesity is one of the main factors in the deaths of millions of Americans. It leads to many diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Do you believe God will send these people to hell?

All kindness, humility and grace......really?

Answer 11

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints feel that smoking is harmful to your health. They do not condone smoking and feel it goes against God's wishes. They also do not believe in drinking strong drink, ie alcohol and coffee.