Hi all!
For almost a year now I've been smoking cigarettes in my car and out with friends. I don't drink or do any drugs, and i'm old enough now to buy them at the store.
I know its bad for me but i just wanted to know if it was against god or not.
thanks
Hey there. I'm a fellow smoker.
I've been smoking steadily for about two or three months. I also drink, but never to get drunk. I can hardly get through half a pint before going, "Hey, buddy, want the rest of this?"
I started smoking because I was under a lot of stress and far from the Lord. Not to say that the Lord and I are riding the same train, exactly, but I do believe that we're at least on the same track now. I still have some of that stress, but I'm learning to handle it without the cigarettes.
The unfortunate thing is, I'm now addicted to them. There's nothing in Scripture that directly says, "You shouldn't smoke." However, there is plenty to say that our bodies are the Temple of God, and we should take care of them. So yes, smoking is a sin, and one that we should make an effort to stop.
I have tried several times to cease my addiction, and many Christians who do not smoke have attempted to offer their advice. It's much like someone who has never been in a minefield offering advice on how to get through one. Many Christians who don't smoke do not understand the addiction, so they say things like "Just give it up to Jesus, and He'll take care of it."
I agree that when we give things up to the Lord, He can take care of them, and often does. However, that does not mean that we will not feel the stresses of the addiction. We will feel the withdrawl. We will feel our body asking, "Why do you hate me? Let me have my nicotine!" I've been there. You feel like ripping off someone's head, to be honest. When my smoking has decreased, my other addictions (i.e., swearing) have increased dramatically.
I have prayed to the Lord about my addiction, and quite honestly, there are other addictions that I need to get rid of first. Smoking isn't a healthy thing, and it's something I wish I had never started, but I will be making efforts to stop soon. Again. For the eighth time.
The best thing non-smokers can do for their Christian friends who smoke is to pray for them. Unless you've smoked before, don't try to offer advice. It can be very frustrating. It would be like a man trying to tell a woman how to have a baby. It just doesn't work. Simply pray for your friends, that the Lord would deal with them in His time concerning their addiction.
I hope that helps,
Rob