As a Christian, do you think.....?

Question

I am a smoker. :( I worked with the teens in our church, and loved the opportunity to minister and support them. I never smoked around them, and if the asked me about smoking, I would tell them the truth, and explain the dangers of it. The pastor from our church eventually prohibited me from working with the kids. Was this right? Why?

I know it talks about your body being the temple of God, but our preacher was very overweight, and I know the bible specifically mentions obesidy.

In answer to the exact reason I was asked to no longer work with the kids...I was specifically due to my smoking. Wow, and is it ever a hard habit to break!!! Don't ever start!

Answer 1

Here is the Deal kiddo! Many would say (Judgmentally) that U lack Self Control. It is possibly correct Or Not. Only U can know this, Not them. Many would Also say (Judgmentally) that the Pastor does as well!!! We must Realize That, Un-Fortunately, it is the "Nature" of Man to try to "Elevate Themselves" at the Expense of Others!!! And People are Always "Minding Ur Business" Not Theirs!!! And as long as We are All Different, there will be "Discrimination" of some form. U are Experiencing one Form. I'm curious, I'll bet that Everyone Knew U Smoked Before U started teaching??? So now, will U be "Banned/Excommunicated" because they are "Perfect" & U are a "Wretched Sinner" ??? Take a Hint and Write them a Letter using Scripture to tell them about the "Log in Their Eye" then find a Good Fellowship where U can Worship & Help Out. Perhaps these Passages would say it for U??? Mat. 22;37-40 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." John 9:39-40 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ' We see,' your sin remains. Luke 6:39: "And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye." John8:7 "But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John

Answer 2

NO, not at all.. the bible says pretty plain and clear not to criticize people of there habbits and let the first person without sin throw the first stone as the bible says but it does also say you cant hold a high position in the church such as elder but I have seen alot of really good pastors that smoke and some that dont

Answer 3

I think that is gluttony, so he should not minister to anyone that eats!!

He may feel that you are a contradiction. Although, I have found that men tend to see a woman's "faults" as major while seeing the same "situation" in a man as something to be discussed amongst themselves.

I am a christian and I know that God works with all of us in his own divine time.
What good is our message if we only bring it to the people in church who already know about the salvation of the Lord?

The highways and the by-ways is where Gods people should be spreading their message.

I'm sure that you can still talk to these same teens if you see them on the street and if they come to your home.
Who knows, maybe one of those teens will inspire you to quit smoking.
Peace

Answer 4

Obesity (I have been Told) is Mentioned alot with getting Drunk.
GOD put'em both in the same catagory.

You did Right.
I AM Proud of you!!!

Pastor did Wrong. Needs to Learn More from Jesus.

To All, Yes I just judged!!!
If I AM wrong, forgive me Jesus!!!
If that upsets you...........I AM a GentleMan :)

Smoking is Very Hard Habit to Break
Walk a Mile in My Shoes---(I'd sing it right now, but don't feel like it)

Dit===================to! (Rapture Ready)

Answer 5

I'm not clear on the reason given for your prohibition. Did you ask your pastor(s) about this? If so, what did they say?
But I have to congratulate you on having the courage to put this out for the public to see! Stop smoking if you at all can, for everyone's sake and yours too.

Answer 6

A lot of churches have higher standards for Sunday School teachers, etc. It's probably a good idea since you are a role model for the kids. I'll pray for you. You can quit with God's help.

Answer 7

Well. I don't know. We lead by example. Maybe he should have given you a warning and let you decide if you wanted to quit. If they didn't agree with it, they should have said so in the first place. Our bodies are the temples of the Lord. Obesity is not pleasing or healthy. God bless.

Answer 8

I wouldn't cast someone out of the church merely for being a smoker. I might though if they started advocating smoking.

Answer 9

I think that your pastor is right to be concered about the teens' health, but only a smoker knows what smoking's like (So you can help them when they face similar problems).

Answer 10

You are to be a beacon of truth unto the world. If your beacon shines dimly, how is anyone going to take you seriously? The same holds true for your pastor!

GOD bless