Why is it that the use of tobacco and gambling is no longer a sin among Christians? It used to be a sin.?

Question

I see christians buying lottery tickets.Many come to church smelling like an ash tray.When asked how they feel about it they sluff it off and say, God knows I am weak, and were all sinners,no one is perfect.

DREAMDRESS: The scriptures that you point out says its sin.How can you say the Bible doesn't say its a sin? God Bless!

DEEZEE: What did Christ save you from if your still living in your sins? Did He die so we can live in sin, or did He die so we could be delivered from sin?I am not saying I am perfect.I will say this though.I Do Not Intentionally Sin, Nor Do I Set Out To Commit Sin.

Answer 1

Buttered Toast asked a question the other day if anyone knew people that just radiated with the light of Christ when around them.
I replied when I was young I knew several, but that has changed.
People no longer hear the preaching of sanctification anymore behind pulpits. When you are around a person who has set themselves apart for the kingdom of God you know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
People no longer have a passion to follow after Christ like Paul wrote about in Philippians 3:10
"That I may know him, and the power of his Resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death".
They are simply complacent and do only as much as is necessary to get into heaven.
The pulpits of America are to blame, IMO.

Answer 2

I bet you can't show me a single verse in the bible that says smoking is a sin, or that gambling is a sin.

Badpesta seems to be the only other person here who has reading comprehension skills. The rest of you need to make a visit to your local Sylvan Learning Center, gain some reading skills, then go back and read the bible again.

Answer 3

There are some pretty good answers here...I certainly agreed with 'brother Michael'. The church is the 'hospital' and we are ALL sick in one manner or another, & it IS the Holy Spirit's job to change us. God did not say 'become clean & perfect & then come to my home'. God is the one that changes our hearts as we SEEK Him. Yes there will always be 'pew warmers'..(those that are just covering the bases..making sure that when they stand before Christ they can say "see I was in church") to those that are doing that most likely He will say "I never knew you". (what a sad day for those that hear that message!!) However those that are TRULY seeking a relationship with the Lord will "shine out" you will know them by their fruits. (by what they do & not necessarily by what they say) God sees our hearts, He knows what is going on in each of us..yes some people may be smoking, but perhaps they are going thru very difficult times & they are trying to get away from that life-style?...be patient, kind & loving...instead of 'judgement' maybe you could show the 'Light of Christ' in YOU & ask.."is there anything that I can do to offer help?" You can say something like, "I am sure that you are aware that smoking is really bad for your health, is there some way that possibly I can help you to quit?" Perhaps those that you see playing the lottery...you could ask, "are you in financial need? or difficulties? Is there any way that I can help?" Christians have the been given the "gifts" to be able to help one another & others (non-christians) but many times we choose to distance ourselves, for various reasons.
Personally, when I came with my whole heart to God...HE took away my own desire to smoke, and He is the one that provides for me in AMAZING ways!! (Using the PEOPLE of His awesome Body) Christians have got to learn to hold out their own hand with offerings regardless of what happens to them...the more they do the more they will see that Christ is working! :) AND...the more that God will get the Glory!! Hallelujah!

Answer 4

Tobacco and gambling was never a sin in the bible-and neither was alcohol. When someone would marry, Jesus turned all the water into wine. Any of those things become a sin when we over use them, or abuse them. Food is not a sin, but the bible calls gluttony a sin too. So if you over eat, if you are an alcoholic, if you are a compulsive gambler, etc., then you are sinning. But if you do not over eat, if you do not drink too much, and you play the lotto or gamble but are not addicted, then you are fine. The principal here-and in the bible is, DO NOT ABUSE ANYTHING-not food, not wine, not alcohol, cigarettes, food, etc.

Answer 5

While that's a pretty pathetic answer they're giving you, let me put the major question in perspective for you. The Creator gave us life, and the Bible teaches that every good gift we receive is from God. This includes our money and our bodies. When we actively or passively mismanage our money or our bodies, we're essentially being ungrateful to God for what He's given us. Financially and mathematically speaking, funding lotteries is about the worse use of one's money imaginable. I'd get more fun out of burning a dollar bill than driving to my local gas station to fund the "tax on the common-sense-challenged people." Since lotteries were not around in the biblical cultures, there was no place for the Bible to address it directly. However, it does call greed sin and teaches against people's mismanaging their money. As for smoking, it's medically stupid. The better I take care of my body, the better I'll be of service to God and others. Like the lottery, smoking is not an issue in the biblical cultures, so it's not directly addressed. However, the abuse of alcohol (drunkenness and addiction) are spoken against. From this Christians rightly speak out against the abuse of alcohol and other drugs like tobacco.

In order not to be a hypocrite, every Christian who speaks out against smoking and drinking ought to be ready to speak out against the abuse of caffeine or addictions to video games, or whatever. I'm not saying I'm against video games; I'm on my way to play my wife in Mario Kart right now. I'm just saying that the Christian community needs to be aware of how their campaigns against a few things ought to extend to all areas of their life.

Answer 6

Don,
They are not only "weak" but they are playing with FIRE. If they die without forgiveness of such a sin or they willfully sin then they have no excuse for it and they will face the wrath of our GOD and FATHER. CHRIST will judge each of us and I would not want to be there when HE judges them... Would YOU?? I would counsel them privately about such a thing and point them to the error of their ways. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds


.

Answer 7

how is being gay HARMING other people? seriously? How does it harm YOU as an individual if you let someone be themselves?? Isn't more of a sin to HATE other humans? THe bible needs to be burned and ALL organized religion abolished from this planet. Religion doesn't save, it condemns and controls.

Answer 8

The Bible doesn't say that smoking or gambling is a sin but it is a shame that Christians would do it...It has the appearance of evil and that alone is enough reason not to do it.....smoking is not taking care of your temple,,,,your body...which is the home of the Holy Ghost...and gambling is not being a good steward of your money....

,,,Christians should not touch any thing that puts their testimony in a bad light...we are to be a light to the world and it is hard to do that when you indulge in either of these things.

Answer 9

We all sin every day. It is impossible to get through a day without sinning , this is why we are pathetic people in need of a Savior. We are all sinners saved by grace. Think of a church like a hospital were we go to get better from our illness.

Answer 10

As far as I am concerned, it is still a sin. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What was once sin is still sin.