Christian hypocrite?

Question

I'm a Christian and I'm part of my youth group leadership at my church. I feel horrible because I smoke, and I'm suppose to help my church. I'm supposed to be a role model, but I don't know how I can be one if I have a habit like this. Should I just quit my leadership, because I don't want to be a hypocrite, thats the last thing I want to be. Also for those on you who plan to write hate messages to me, don't bother.

Yeah I've tried to quit a number of times, and it's said I can't kick this habit. I know 3 years of smoking isn't as bad as most people addicted to cigarettes, but I defintely crave it.

Answer 1

Maybe just quit smoking?

Answer 2

Obviously as everyone else has suggested, you need to quit. I never even tried it, so I'm probably not the one to give advice. But what if you tried tapering down slowly, instead of going cold turkey. Like if you smoke a pack a day. Start throwing the last one down the drain everyday. Then work up to two. I don't know if those quit-smoking programs work or not.

Anyway, my main point is that at least you can acknowledge this addiction. But everyone sins, and I'll bet you're not the first Christian to ever smoke. If overall you are a positive role model (I'm assuming you don't smoke in front of anyone at church), then I think many of the youth group would miss your leadership. Also talk to the elders or leaders at your church, and see what they recommend or what advice they have for you. Lastly, check with your company, your community, or your health insurance company about programs to help you quit. Whatever you do, obviously most important is to pray. Pray for guidance and wisdom to do what's right, and for the strength to quit smoking. God bless!

1 Timothy 1:12 -- I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Answer 3

Just because your not perfect does not make you a hypocrite. Jesus did die on the cross so that we may be forgiven.. We ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. Its a work in you he is probably working on right now. If not you wouldn't be feeling this conviction.
I wouldn't quit your leadership but I would try to quit smoking. I would think you have many other qualities in you that are inspiring to Youth and if they see you are praying about it and allowing God to work in your life I think thats great.
Sometimes in order to help someone in the best way you can you have to truly understand where they are coming from.
Maybe somewhere down the road you will be able to use this lesson as part of your testimony.
I pray that God will help you quit.

Answer 4

I work with the youth at my church. The little ones. I don't smoke - but I used to - and I don't think I'd give up my position if I still did.

If you are a hypocrite - so are all of the overweight people at your church. Yes - we are supposed to honor our body temples. It's easier said than done.

As long as you are not promoting smoking to the kids - I don't think you are doing anything horrible.

Think about this: What do you give to the kids at your church? Do you share your knowledge about music? God? Education? Fun? Life? If so - don't you think that what they are receiving from you is prescious!?!?!?!? It is! Don't walk away. Admit that you have an adiction. Tell them not to follow your lead. Ask for their prayers.

I think the last thing you should do is walk away. And- if anybody tells you that you are a hypocrite - just point to the overweight people. They are abusing their bodies too.

Namaste!

Answer 5

No, don't quit your position simply because you smoke. Smoking was and is not part of the Ten Commandments, and it has no bearing on the type of person you are. As long as you acknowledge to your listeners that you're smoking is a vice that you haven't been able to kick yet (just as others have "sins" that they struggle with) then you should be fine. The key is being honest about your situation, and using it as a motivator to others to be better people. Remind them that everyone has vices, and none of them are greater or lesser in the eyes of your lord. "Let he who is without sin..." in other words, no one has the right to religiously judge you because of that.

Now, this is NOT a licensce to keep on smoking. If you want to be a good role model, let them see you go through your ups and downs as you try to quit. Let them know that we are all human, including the people they look up to. Show them the human side of faith. Teach them not to judge others or themselves over small matters such as this. They'll be much better people for it.

In the mean time, try to quit. I know you have a great reward awaiting in Heaven, and continuing to smoke will almost assuredly help you claim that reward a lot quicker than not smoking, but I'm sure you don't want to go there anytime soon. I'm struggling with this vice myself, but if others have done it, I know that it can be done and I will do it. So can you.

Answer 6

Smoking doesn't mean that God can't use you. I am a smoker to, and I consider it a sin in the sense of not being a good steward of my body and the planet, but I don't think it exactly makes it onto the list of "7 things that the Lord hates and 6 He abhors" if you know what I mean. If sinful habits in peoples' lives meant that the Lord couldn't use them, then He'd have no one to use at all.

We're all sinners, and that what makes His work so glorious --- that He can take something so frail and humble and pour out His glory through it. I'm not in any way advocating that you continue smoking; you should quit. But if you're going to sit on the sidelines waiting for the Lord to make you good enough for Him to use you then you'll *never* be used by Him at all. Is that what you want?

Blessings, brother.

Answer 7

The way I quit smoking was that I didn't give myself a deadline. If, for instance, you smoke a pack a day, try half a pack a day. When this becomes comfortable, then try for two packs a week. After the two packs a week becomes easy then drop it to a few cigarettes a week. Before you know it, you just won't want that nasty smoke anymore.
Imagine: you'll have fresher breath, whiter teeth, healthier skin, and more money in your pocket. Oh yea, God would be smiling down on you too (but He already does that...) good luck, partner.

Answer 8

Galatians 5:22 our the fruitages of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self control.
Controlling ourselves is a good way to start to lead young people. Because we face temtations of immoral sex, lying, stealing, and even lacking courage to stand up for what we know is the right thing to do. Racism and bullys kids face those tests everyday.
It is very comendable that you want to be a leader.
However the bible says that those who do will receive a heavier judgement because they are corrupting not only themseves but many others.
Yes, exerciseing self-control is the most difficult one of all to do. That is why Jesus went up into the mountain to pray and fasted to gain control over his body. He went 40 days without eating. Then Satan tempted him. Was it with immoral sex?
NO! His first temtation was just food. a fleshly desire.
He knew he was hungry.
the others was fame, what would happen if he jumped off the temple and wasnt' hurt? Or power all the kingdoms of the world. Before he could face those things he had to control his urges to eat. Adam and Eves was food.
Our hardest tests are looked at as the easierest to do.
No torture chamber as some christians have faced beheadings. Arms and legs cut off and Roman arenas where lions ate them. So compared to those tests yours is relatively simple. But no less important. A test is a test.
Wether it is a piece of fruit or a cigarette.
How can you be an effective leader if you cannot control yourself? How can you tell the children not to use tobacco if you do? Or drugs or alcohol or gamblings or any other adiction. You can use yourself as an example of how difficult it is to over come. maybe God is using it to teach you to have empathy for those who are also trying to get off some control sustance. Couldn't you use what you have learned to help someone off drugs?

Answer 9

What you are asking about is a cultural issue.

For answers as to what a Christian should do about a cultural issue, you can go to the book of Romans.

Basically, if something that you are doing in the freedom of Christianity causes another to stumble or fall in their new found or early growth of Christianity, we are to refrain from doing it.

In a nutshell, never tell someone you do not smoke, (if you still do) Never smoke in front of them or somewhere they might see you doing it.
Quit if you can.
Admit openly that it is a weakness of yours (if asked)

It is not hypocritical to have weaknessess. We are to control and overcome weaknessess. Smoking is a cultural issue, not a biblical issue. In this culture, so many are openly allowed to be against smokers, when only less than 20 years ago, most CHristians smoked openly and many many churches had ash trays right outside their entrance doors!!!

Basically, I am trying to tell you that smoking is a modern day cultural sin, not a longstanding biblical sin.

Answer 10

No, do not quit your leadership position. God does not use those who are qualified. He uses those who are willing. You are not a hypocrite because you smoke. You would be more of a hypocrite if you didn't feel horrible about it, but the fact that you do means that you are somewhat repentant. I would be more concerned about being a stumbling block.

Some might think you a hypocrite, but that would be a hypocritical thought on their part.

Don't quit just because you need a savior!

Answer 11

Hey, hey hey. Hold up. Who says you are a hypocrite because you smoke? Smoking is an unhealthy habit sure, and one you'd be better off not having, but wait a second. Jesus loves you, you are not condemned because of this! Enlist your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for you to stop smoking. Don't give up your service and ministry just because you're struggling with this. Keep at it, and allow others to observe Jesus making you more than a conqueror when you beat the habit, which you will.