Who knew a tobacco wrapped in a small piece of white paper would cause such a controversy for the American church? Not too long ago I heard a pastor preach a sermon on the theological sin of smoking. Not smoking weed, but smoking anything, including cigarettes.
It was a great theological excavation of scripture, but at no point in the study did he quote a direct scripture regarding smoking being a sin. That lifted the mental red flag and inspired me answer Roman Kalinin’s question from the Facebook page:
Hey! I have a video request… you’ve talked a lot about many things on ur YouTube channel.. but I haven’t seen anything regarding smoking. Havent seen anything anywhere on the topic of smokin cigarettes actually… nobody ever talks about it. Think u can make one about if its ok or not for Christians to smoke cigarettes? Is it wrong? Why or why not? Thanks!!!
Oh Roman, I could squeeze you! 1. I love that you mentioned my YouTube channel. 2. You Facebook profile picture reminds me of Justin Bieber. 3. I love vlog questions! So my Internet friend, here are some thoughts for you to ruminate over. 🙂
To reiterate the vlog points, though smoking is not a wise option, the bible doesn’t say that it is immoral [a sin]. Do I recommend it? No. Here’s why:
- Every smoked cigarette takes 11 minutes off of your life. True fact.
- Smoking dries out the enamel of your teeth, making the porous surface retain a yellow color. Negative points.
- Inhaling oxygen laced with chemical smoke into your lungs is not only dangerous, it’s stupid. Amen.
- Kissing a smoker is akin to licking an ashtray. I know. I’ve done it. Eeeeewwwww! I just admitting that to you, Internet. Don’t judge!
Here’s your chance to weigh in! Did you grow up thinking smoking is a sin? If you smoke, no stones will be cast [pinkie promise], but what are the reasons you smoke? I’m wildly interested!
Happy Friday!
I did not grow up believing that smoking was a sin but my father smoked until I was 18 and I just thought it was gross. I didn’t like the smell on him or in the house. I knew growing up that I wouldn’t smoke.
I totally agree with ur points and warnings about cigarettes to encourage not smoking cigarettes because of health reasons. The bible doesn’t saybitsba sin in fact there’s reason to believe that some form of hookah was available during Jesus day that was commonly practiced since in middle eastern culture that is very traditional and popular. However cigarettes is a totally different animal with all the chemicals not to mention the nicotine added to keep u wanting more!
I do enjoy occasionally smoking a cigar or hookah with Christian friends of mine and we even use it as a time tontalkmabout faith, pray and worship God so it in no way hinders our relationship with God!
Good clog, well needed and very solid points and conclusions!
Vlog not clog lol (iPad error)
This reminds me of the blog you posted a looong time ago about how there was this guy smoking a cigarette outside a church waiting to go into service and they shoo’ed him away because he was smoking (I hope that rings a bell..if not…i look crazy right now! LOL) Anyway, is smoking a sin? Well, the Word says that our bodies are a temple and basically we need to take care of it-whether exercising, or not smoking, etc. BUT my dad has smoked my entire life and I’ve gotten used to it unfortunately. What makes me sad is that they’re is such a huge negative judgement against those who smoke. I’m not saying smoking is great, but for the most part-people smoke for a reason. To relieve stress, sadness, etc. So it kinda makes me sad when people will cough really really loud on purpose infront of someone who smokes in hopes that they get memo to put out the cig. I mean they are humans too and that’s just one way to deal with their emotions. Like anything, I hope that they find a better outlet to relieve stress, similar to those who drink when they’re sad or eat 🙂 Just my thoughts! 🙂
I’ll be honest, because I feel pushed to comment on this… I am a social smoker, and on really stressful days, I have a pack hidden in my work desk and sneak downstairs, stand behind a big pillar, and light up.
Now here’s why this is important for me to share: I have really, really bad anxiety. The kind where I go back and forth being on medication and not, trying to fight it all on my own. I have OCD which is what triggers the anxiety, and some days, I just can’t handle it. Instead of popping a xanax, which puts me in a daze, and feeling like anything but myself, I go downstairs and have a smoke.
If I’m not caught, I spend the following 15 minutes trying to cover up the fact that I just smoked – I wash my hands a couple times, I spray Bath and Body Works body spray all over myself, chew a handful of Altoids, and then use hand sanitizer. Still paranoid that someone will walk up to give me a hug and discover my dirty little secret.
The point of all this, is that – yes – I know smoking is bad for you. I know it’s awful. I know it’s a disgusting habit to some. But, on some days, it’s the only way I can feel calmed down and normal. And what I DON’T need are judgmental people walking up to me and getting right in my face and telling me how awful what I’m doing is (which has happened.) I KNOW. I know it’s awful. But being on your high horse and judging me because I’m human and can’t always deal with my life, certainly doesn’t help me.
So, before judging someone who’s smoking, or drinking, or overweight because they eat emotionally, maybe love them instead, and find out what the root of the addiction stems from.
Whoa! I love your perspective. Thank you for candidly sharing. I have Christian friends who smoke–and not even for anxiety reasons–so no judgment here.
What I will tell you is that right now, this instant, I’m praying for you! This is what community is for. And this community (me) is loving you and praying for you.
Keep me posted,
B
Thank you so much 🙂 🙂 That was way awesome 🙂
Yes and no. Most would prosecute people with this problem while also letting adulterers in the church and not dealing with that. Yes, I saw this is a church I was a member of.
Will worship is where I would put this as a type of self righteousness(please understand am using a very broad brush. You know, if the sho fits…
I once chastised my uncle for smoking a cigarette right after service because I was worried about what other people thought. The worse part was that I invited him to Church so I should’ve realized that he was just going to be himself. Some will criticize smoking because they say the our bodies are our temple but some of those same people eat junk food.