to those Christians who think it is ok to drink and smoke and lead an unChrist-like lifestyle, pls answer?

Question

I have a number of NON-christian friends who came and ask me these questions.

"why do some christians smoke and drink?"

"why do some christians still scold vulgarities?"

"why do some christians behave so holy in church and lead an unChrist-like lifestyle outside?"

i came out of all these bad habits (naturally and spiritually, when the Holy Spirit spoke to me)when i became christian and when they ask me these questions, i am put into a difficult positions by the behaviour of some other christians who smoke, drink etc.

if you drink and smoke and party a lot, pls tell me how you would answer the questions posted by non-christians.

Kevin M,

i think that drinking during Jesus' time IS VERY different from the drinking in our time.

Jay,

I AM not the one who is judging them,

Nonchristians are asking. They are asking why.

No one tells them christians are supposed to do this or not do this.

They are asking me these questions. They do expect christians do have a disciplined and holy lifestyle like Jesus.

tuberoot,

i am 21. and alot of my friends are young adults and believe strongly that Christians should be set apart from the world, guiding the world into light by our Christ-like behaviour

Answer 1

I am not one of those Christians but I can answer your question on what to tell your friends. It is in the Bible. There will be a lot of people who claim to know Christ but don't.

Biblical Evidence:

Luke 13:24-28 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. Because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ’sir, open the door for us.’
But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from, away from me, all you evildoers.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:21-23 “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”


God knew there would be many people claiming to follow Christ and not actually doing it. You will know them by their fruits.

Answer 2

I am a Christian, and I smoke cigarettes. I hate that I smoke, but have up until this point, been able to quit. To be quite honest, I have not "really wanted" to quit.
Smoking is not the sin for me. It is being addicted to anything, other than Jesus of course. As for the drinking, I drink socially, but do not get drunk. Again, I do not believe drinking is a sin, but the act of 1) being addicted, or 2) the behavior that comes with being drunk.
As for your question, I don't believe there is really anything to explain. As a believer, I am aware that I am a sinner, will never be perfect, and am in great need for a Savior. That is why Jesus came, for the imperfect. I think people's expectations that Christians are perfect is what needs to be addressed when you/we are asked these questions. We can only strive to be more like Jesus, and he forgives us during the way. I am a work in progress, but proud to be called one of his.



Edit:

I just joined this tonight, and have to say I am so surprised by some of the answers I've read here. Again, I am not judging, as I know I have no right, but I can't help but feel a little (for lack of a better word) dissapointed. We all know to have discussions with non-believers is difficult sometimes. I say that because at times we are called judgemental, or "preachy", and at times worse. But to judge amongst one another I find a little offensive. Everyone is at a different stage in their walk. We should all remember where we were in our lives when we first called on the name of Jesus, and just how "Un-Christian" our behavior was at that time.

Answer 3

Smoking and Christianity don't mix. This should be obvious. Smoking It is a defilement of the body. Having faith requires more than just believing. Like James said, even the demons believe, and they are fearful. You must exercise faith, which requires action, and a willingness to turn your life around. That includes quitting smoking. It's interesting that you chose smoking of all things to slam us on, when most people agree that smoking is bad for your health. It is also interesting to note that if a person seeking baptism quits smoking to achieve that, you see that as something negative. That makes no sense. Here is the scripture behind the principle: 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear. Smoking is a defilement of the body. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The Bible says 'you will know them by their fruit', however, when I first became a Christian, I had a long list of sins that God was working on and the conviction to quit smoking didn't come until after some other awful sins fell off. If you get people to stop swearing, stop sexual immorality, etc you just create Pharisees, those whose righteousness is based on outward behavior. However, if someone is truly born again, it will be evident by a changed life, gradual, but progressive. So either they are just starting the journey or they are lost, but either case requires grace. If you are certain they are mature Christians, then you are to follow the principles in Matthew 18:16-18 and Gal 6:1

Answer 5

Personally, I think the answer is that just because someone says they're Christian (or any other ideology/religion) it does not make it true. You can find a$%holes in any religion who do horrible things, and you can find atheist or people who practice "evil" religions to live more Christ-like lives than most Christians. It really comes down to individuals and there instinctive desire to follow truth, peace, and love. Regardless of a person's professed religion/ideology it is up to that one person to actually follow the doctrines/commandments/teachings of it. Remember the Bible (and other religious scriptures) says that each person will be judged fairly by his or her own actions.

Additionally, many Christians the idea to drink, smoke, party and do other things is okay because of the ideas that surround Jesus Christ. Many Christians interpret the Bible as giving man the right to drink, smoke, and/or eat pork because of the teachings of Christ saying what goes into a man does not harm him (specifically the spirit) because it leaves the body. Or another common excuses among some Christian's (and other religions that believe in the infinite mercy/forgiveness of GOD ) is that if you repent to Jesus you are forgiven of your sins, made clean physically and spiritually without regard to the transgression(s) made.

Nevertheless these excuses are poor at best, and distort the teachings of Christ and other prophets. However, it is best not to worry Too Much about the actions of others and remain vigilant in trying to follow righteousness, and remember the Lord God knows best.

Answer 6

The biggest mistake that non-believers have is that they think that Believers are perfect.

We're not.

I know that this sounds cliche', but it IS the truth:

Christians aren't perfect-just forgiven.

We will not be perfect, until we stand in the presence of our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society



50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."[a]

Answer 7

SL,
I am a faithful Christian and I am interested in this also. I believe that we all must grow at our own rate and some grow very slowly. The Apostle Paul scolded several of the churches and told them that they were as "Babes" and "not fully grown". We must show patience and assist some in their growth process. It is a slow process for some and not for others. Also realize that those who are throwing rocks know what a Christian is supposed to be doing so he/she needs to be studying to become a Christian also. It is still possible for us to fall into sin and become lost in it. Keep up your guard. Please let them know that there will come a time when the master will close the door and some will be closed out! Have a great week.
Thank You,
Eds


.

Answer 8

I don't think its okay, and I don't do it. I just know that those things in themselves are not what would send a person to Hell, rather those are the things that Christ died for.

Now do I think I think its okay? NO, I think its a bad witness, its not healthy for you, and if you are continually doing that I would recommend that you go to the Bible and examine carefully. Also, examine your own faith and make sure its genuine. I believe that true faith will always show itself with a change in actions, for some of us we will continue to struggle with certain sins longer than others. But if we aren't trying at all, then maybe we weren't sincere about turning our lives over to Jesus.

For example, someone coming out of alcoholism might "slip" and drink. That doesn't mean that God will reject them and send them to Hell. But if the person isn't even trying to stop drinking, then I would wonder whether they were truly dedicated to the Lord or not.

As to how I would answer those questions, I would tell them that Christians are not perfect, and that some who call themselves Christians are not truly Christians. I would explain that even Christians mess up sometimes, and that not everyone who names the name of Jesus is truly a follower of His. We need to look to the Word to guide us, not other people's actions.

EDIT------EDIT

While Christ delivered me from some of my "worst" sins instantaneously, others were a real struggle. I smoked for the first 2 years of my Christian life, but I was really bothered by it. I smoked marijuana one time after being saved, I didn't enjoy it anymore, it had no appeal, besides I was MAJORLY PARANOID the whole time! I was still saved, but I was engaged in the struggle that the Apostle Paul describes in Romans Chapter 7. Because I can now look back on that time and know that I was saved, but that I was struggling, I try not to be too quick to judge another's salvation based only the outward appearance of their life. Instead I suggest that we all examine ourselves closely and make sure of our own relationship with Christ, and just pray for others who seem to be struggling with sin, unless that sin is hurting someone else.

Answer 9

2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (NIV)
I think a lot of people talk about the contaminating the body part of the verse, and that is important. You only get one. And since (for those who are Christians) it is a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, why would anyone put unhealthy things in it? And by that I mean anything, even - too many fries, pies or whatever, that will harm it, now or later...
But --- we need to not forget the part about not contaminating our Spirit and all that that implies. Too many times we let that part of the verse just slide -- when we need to look at ourselves, and wonder what God sees when He's looking into our hearts, our souls, our spirits.
You must also remember that the Bible says that many came out from among us, but they were not of us. Anyone can say they are a Christian with their mouth, but not everyone is willing to walk in Jesus footsteps. One of my favorite verses is 1 John 2:6 "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did."

Answer 10

Although I don't smoke, I do have an occasional glass of wine. Let me address the smoking and drinking part first. There is nothing in the Bible against either one. Jesus did drink wine. It was indeed alcoholic. The Greek word that is translated "wine" means exactly that.

Since smoking is a relatively new phenomenon, it wasn't addressed in the Bible. In fact, it was common throughout American history for most people to smoke (even those in church), until it was discovered that it was bad for our health.

Romans 14 addresses the issues of strong versus weak believers. Weak believers feel restricted by certain behaviors, while those stronger in the faith feel they have freedom to do things that others might not wish to participate in.

Those issues that are black & white in the Bible are things that all Christians can agree on. Since we are clearly told that we aren't to be profane, and our speech to build others up, we shouldn't speak vulgarities. Drinking is permitted, but drunkenness isn't. Smoking isn't addressed at all. It is in these gray areas that we have the ability to choose what we want to do.

As to those Christians who don't live Christ-like after church, this is called hypocrisy, and is also addressed in the Bible. Jesus had harsh words for hypocrites.

We do have freedom to do things not specifically addressed as sin. These include drinking and smoking.