Christians: What do you think of Christians who smoke?

Question

I'm asking because I smoke, but I want to get more involved in my church. I'm 25, and I've tried to quit but haven't been successful yet. I go to a Foursquare church -- that's a Pentecostal denomination like Assemblies of God.

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat... a born-again believer and still a smoker. What do I think of us? We're idiots, and we should quit.

I trusted God enough to ask Him to help me stop masterbating. He did. I trusted God enough to ask Him to help me quit smoking pot (which I did every day for 20 years before I got saved three years ago). He did. But I just can't bring myself to trust Him enough to ask Him to help me quit smoking.

Nicotine addiciton is one of the most powerful addictions there is. I hope you'll pray about it. If you can't bring yourself to pray for the strength to quit, pray for the desire to pray for the strength to quit. God is our shepherd and will see us through this addiction and set us free if only we will trust Him.

God bless, brother!

Answer 2

Sorry, Sylvestre, but I don't think you frustration will be resolved soon, as it is part of the human condition to be inconsistent, regardless of what your religion one subscribes to. You mention smoking (which admittedly is one of the vilest habits a human being can indulge in) and drinking as examples of things that harm the body and are therefore a sin. I would be more offended by the fact that Christians grow, own and process the tabacco and that other Christians manufacture it into cigarettes. All for profit. So what if millions are addicted? There attitude is "well, nobody's got a gun at their head making them smoke!" Pretty self-serving and hypocritical. What about the tremendous overeating that is endemic in this country? And not a few of the most devout Christians fall into this category. Those people stampeding the all-you-can-eat buffets? They're Christian overwhelmingly. Interestingly, "gluttony" is a sin, whereas smoking is not listed as such. What about the Christians mindlessly driving a 10 mpg SUV from shopping center to mall parking lot? The world's oil supplies will last forever? I don't think so. It's not only an assault on our bodies as temples due to the emissions and such, but the "temple" we call "earth," as well. It also makes us dependent on our enemies for our "drug of choice" petroleum, which we are clearly willing to spill blood over. In a consumerist society, where people are flush with money and boredom, they will do as they wish. You must practice consistency and not expect others to adhere to your standard, or you will be very dissappointed, and possibly lonely. Remember to "think globally and act locally."

Answer 3

Jesus said that the two greatest commands were to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself.(Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31)
Now think about this: Smoking is something most people know is wrong for them to do, dulls the mind and robs you of your strength. This means the first commandment Jesus spoke of has been broken. Second, smoking harms, not only the smoker, but those around them as well. This clearly breaks the second commandment. Breaking the two most important of God is not something a Christian does.

In my religion, if you are a smoker you can not get baptized unless you have quit. This has given many the needed encouragement to stop. They loved God, wanted to become Christians and did not let this stand in the way.

The website I will list as one of my sources has a search box. Type the word smoking in and you will find many good articles on this, including help to quit.

Answer 4

well, smoking is bad for you no matter what you believe about God and if you keep doing it it will probably killl you. as far as smoking and religion the bible says that your body is the temple of God and that you shouldn't harm it. I smoked for a long, tried and tried to quit several times, fortunately for me i quit the day after i received the Holy Ghost. The lord just convicted me about it and gave me the strength to quit. honestly, i would just pray and pray and pray some more about it. they are so addicting that most people really can't stop without God's help. Good luck! as far as church i take it that you can't be more involved because you smoke. well, no matter what capacity you are involved people,especially new members,will look to you as an example and smoking is not a good example and if they let you be more involved it may look as if they are condoning it.

Answer 5

I go to an Assembly of God church myself. I'm glad to hear you want to be more involved in your church. I pray that God would bless your faithfulness.

As for your smoking, I'm sure you already know it's something you ought to quit, otherwise you wouldn't have tried. I believe that God wants us to take care of our bodies as best we can. That includes NOT getting drunk, having promiscuous sex (well actually any sex outside of marriage), overeating, and just being a lazy bum. I also think you can throw smoking into the mix. All of those habits are bad for your body. I do think it's okay to overeat or smoke or sit on your butt every once in awhile though. In addition to the fact that smoking is bad for your body, it is an addiction. And anything that is an addiction is just like an idol in God's eyes. I know that you didn't intentionally create this idol, but in all reality, that's what it has become.

I would suggest that you find someone in the Lord that you trust and ask them to pray with/for you to quit smoking. God will heal you of the addiction. I also believe that He understands the struggle.

God bless you!

Answer 6

I don't really make judgments on Christians who smoke. God will let them know when they're ready to quit. People are at different points in their walk, so it's best for other Christians to be supportive of people who want to change but are having a hard time doing it.

You said it yourself- you haven't been successful YET. You'll get there. It takes willpower, prayer, and support from friends and family. Keep trying to quit, and use the various avenues that have been provided to smokers who want to quit. One option may not work for you, so try another. Best wishes!

Answer 7

I think all smoking is nasty, I don't care what their denomination or lack thereof. It's unhealthy, props up greedy corporations, stinks to high heaven and is just plain gross. But if you want me to pull a WWJD on ya, how bout this-quit smoking (the sacrifice) and use the money you were buying cigarettes with as a tithe.
BTW: I smoked for seven years, quitting was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I pray you find the strength to quit.

Answer 8

Although the Bible does not mention smoking, there are different verses that help us to see whether it's something we should do. A good one to consider is 2 Corinthians 7:1 which says, " Therefore, since we have these promises (including the promise of everlasting life), beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear. "
Since we have the hope of living forever in God's Kingdom, we would want to be clean inside and out. Since we have a high regard for life, or pro-life, if you will, smoking is not a way to show that we have such a view. Also, Jesus left us a model to follow in his steps closely (2 Peter 2:21). Although "WWJD" is somewhat cliché, we would want to take it seriously in that we would imitate Jesus. I personally would not imagine Christ smoking. Perhaps you would not either. So keeping that mentality helps.

Also Romans 12:1 says, "Consequently I entreat you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. " This figurative example is encouraging because it helps us to see that by our lifestyle we are showing God that we are able to try our best to be "holy" or clean in His sight. Also recall that under the Mosaic Law when the Israelites offered up their different sacrifices, the offerings would be as flawless as possible. It is the same for us. In our service to God, and through our lifestyle, we are a living sacrifice in that we represent Him, so we would want to do things that promote good health, a good example for others, and and clean conscience as well. I hope that helps.

Peace be with you

Answer 9

I'm a Christian, and I don't smoke. If other people do, that's their own business, as long as they keep it away from those who don't wish to share their habit. I don't think that quitting smoking is necessarily a requirement for anyone to be a devoted Christian. There are people at my church who are serious chain smokers, and nobody's calling their Christian faith into question.

Answer 10

My own belief is that smoking is polluting your body and speeding your demise or chances of becoming ill.
In saying that, I don't see it any worse than any other sin or habit, and I know many Christians who have a very real relationship with God, who smoke.
On the flip side I know some "Christians" who appear to have a relationship with God, and do under handed sneaky hidden sin.
Try and stop for your own benefit, I did after many years. Just pray HARD, you can do it.
God bless. =)

Answer 11

*puff*

I'm a theist and I smoke. It's an assumption of risk that rests squarely on my own shoulders. From a biblical perspective, I know what it says about my body being a temple. Again, an assumption of risk. The difference with me is that if I get lung cancer from smoking, I'm not going to bring a civil suit against the tobacco company for something that I chose to do. Period.