Christians, is it a sin to smoke cigarettes?

Question

The Bible specifically says drinking is a sin in many places, but I don't see that about smoking. If so, is over-eating and/or eating poorly a sin? How about being out of shape? All are at the least not very wise, but I'm wondering if they are sinful. What do you think?

Answer 1

The Bible never directly mentions smoking. There are a couple of principles, however, that definitely apply to smoking. First, the Bible commands us to not allow our bodies to become "mastered" by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 declares, "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything." Smoking is undeniably strongly addictive. Later in the same passage we are told, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Smoking is undeniably very bad for your health. Smoking has been proven to damage the lungs, and often the heart.

Can smoking be considered "beneficial" (1 Corinthians 6:12)? Can it be said that smoking is truly "honoring God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20)? Can a person honestly smoke "to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)? We believe that the answer to these three question is a resounding "no." As a result, we believe that smoking is a sin, and therefore should not be practiced by followers of Jesus Christ.


In Old Testament times, whenever God's people had a period of rest and prosperity, they invariably pursued idolatry in the form of overeating (among others). Undisciplined, gluttonous, and rebellious behavior went hand in hand. Notice Deuteronomy 32:15: “But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation.”

Contrary to popular opinion, being overweight due to excessive eating is a very serious issue to God, just like any other habitual sin. Why? Because over-eating, just like any addiction, is really a spiritual problem. Our outward appearance can reveal areas of captivity going on in the heart. Some possible areas of captivity related to overeating (you must search your own heart with God's help) are: pride, idolatry, spiritual independence, and unbelief. It was true in Bible days, and it’s true now.

Answer 2

As Christians, we are told to "do all things in moderation," and I think the issues that you have brought up relate to this. For example: Drinking is not a sin, but drunkeness is. Eating is not a sin, but gluttony is. Ambition is not a sin, but greed is. So anything you overindulge in (to an extreme point) could be considered a sin. You also have to look at how it affects those around you. If your smoking or drinking is harming an immature Christian, then it is a sin for you. The best advice I can give is to ask God. Believe me, He'll let you know whether or not it would be a sin for you to do it. And if you hear that still small voice whispering in your ear when you do it now, then He's probably already telling you.

Answer 3

The Bible does not indicate that drinking is "a sin in many places." However, it is clear that when drink clouds the mind, it can cause us to sin. The drink is not the sin. Remember that sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Is there a law against drinking?

The Bible desires us to live for God. When we live for food or smoking or other things and won't let God have His say about these things, then we sin. We live in rebellion. Food and drink are not sinful in themselves, but when we give the wrong attention to them, it may to a symptom of a self-led life rather than a Spirit-led life.

With regards to food and many other things, Christianity is the most liberal religion on earth. As Paul wrote: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Cor. 6:12). I may eat or drink anything I wish. However, I will be careful of what and how I eat because I don't want to be a slave to food. I want to be a slave to Jesus.

Answer 4

Well, smoking won't send you to Hell, though I suppose that it will make you smell like you've been there.

As for drinking, I see no prohibition against drinking in moderation. However, drunkenness is a sin.

As for eating habits, gluttony is a sin. So again, eat in moderation.

As for being out of shape, the Bible declares that exercise is of little profit. Not to say that exercise it wrong, but it is of little profit. Better to spend what limited time you have in the Scriptures, while also finding a job or hobby that will be physical enough to give you the exercise that you need.

Answer 5

some christians believe it is a sin to smoke cigarettes, but i didnt see that God said it. I am a christian. i haven battling the nicotine addiction off and on for years now. i quit, i go back. horrible. i believe God wants us not to smoke because we should honor or bodies, but smoking won't keep you out of heaven (might get me there faster tho)

the bible does not say drinking is a sin, it says drunkeness is a sin. Jesus turned water to wine. He drank wine at the last supper. there are other examples in the bible.

Answer 6

I personally don't believe in "sin" but I do find smoking to be a disgusting habit. I think it does look bad for Christians to smoke and most smoking Christians would agree. Most even feel "guilty" about doing it. Despite their conviction on the issue they cannot seem to quit because they are bound by addiction. The addiction is the real problem. According to Christian doctrine Jesus expects to be the God of your entire life... in every area including addictions. If a Christian feels convicted about smoking and doesn't quit then he is putting the smoking addiction before God's desire for his life... which idolatry and rebellion... two things the God of the Bible despises. This idolatry and rebellion do not bring glory to God. According to Christian doctrine... glorifying God with ones life is the fundamental purpose of mankind. Therefore, it would be a sin.

Answer 7

The bible mentions and compares the body to the church, it is your temple and you are not to defile the temple.

So what that means is you are not do anything that is against the law of the land or what you do to purposely hurt the body.

As for drinking it says it is only a sin if you drink to get drunk. And for the over eating and under eating they are diseases. And there are thin people who are out of shape but since they are not heavy or thin as a rail we don't see what is wrong with them.

A sin is doing something that you know is wrong.

Hope this answered your answer

Answer 8

Smoking cigarettes is not condemned in the Bible because the practice was not common in the Middle East when the Bible was written. The Bible does, however, state that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we ought to treat it as such. So, any practice that does the body harm is frowned upon by God.
Why do you ask? Are you struggling with a nicotine habit? If so, I believe that God can deliver you.

Answer 9

The Bible says that the only way to sin against your body is to engage in sexual immorality.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The Bible warns against drinking in excess and says that a drunkard will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

In regards to things like smoking cigarettes or personal eating and exercise habits, those things are personal matters between a believer and God. However, the Bible does give us this caution.

1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.

Answer 10

Actually it doesn't say that drinking is a sin, drunkenness is a sin. our bodies are the temple of God, it is a sin to defile the temple, it is a sin to be a stumbling block in anything, I drink wine sometimes with my meals, some one else may not be able to handle wine at dinner, it, no matter how small the amount may get some one drunk, and also aLittle wine may make them wont more. all things are lawfull, but all things are not expedient.