Salvation is not dependent on anything or anyone except God’s grace. Although smoking is not an indicator of salvation, the Bible instructs us to conduct ourselves in a favorable manner of the gospel of Christ. Is smoking a sin or just a bad habit?
What Does the Bible Say About Smoking?
The Bible makes no mention of smoking or tobacco. This makes sense because the bible also does not discuss social media or television because this stuff was unknown during the time of the Bible. Tobacco and its use for smoking and chewing were introduced to the West in the early 1600s by voyagers from the Caribbean and America.
The Bible, on the other hand, has something to say about taking care of our bodies, respecting life, and honoring the Lord with our deeds.
Beyond the smoker, smoking has an impact on others. It’s just as dangerous to smoke when someone else is around you. Other people are put in danger when you smoke in public.
Choosing to smoke, especially in public, contradicts 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. According to the Bible, we should respect our bodies because they are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Since God gave us life and it is a gift from Him (Acts 17:24, 25), we shouldn’t take any actions that would reduce it, like smoking. One of the leading global causes of avoidable death is smoking.
Smoking is unnatural and conflicting with being holy, which is to say, clean and pure (2 Corinthians 7:1). Those who use tobacco do so knowingly consume toxins that cause serious bodily harm.
We can honor God by keeping our bodies healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. If we choose healthier options and reject addictive and unhealthy ones, our days will likely lengthen. This will give us more opportunities to spend time with our families, serve others, and exalt God.
Thankfully, as believers, the Holy Spirit rather than sin governs us. We no longer feel helpless and powerless in the face of harmful and addictive substances that threaten our bodies.
Keep in mind, that smoking weed is treated differently in the Bible.
Should Christians Abstain From All Substances That Could Be Addictive?
One of the most addictive substances is nicotine, which quickly leads to physical and psychological dependence in many users. While some addictions, such as those to cigarettes, painkillers, pornography, sugar, and other foods, may start out as choices, as dependence develops, the perception and capacity for decision-making decrease with each use.
RELATED: Is Watching Porn a Sin in the Bible?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:12, we should not be enslaved to anything. Christ has set us free to live abundantly, free from the burdens of sin, compulsions, and temptations. Our treatment of our bodies, which are members of Christ, reveals our hearts.
Furthermore, 1 Peter 1:13–16 warns us not to give in to the evil desires we had while living in ignorance. We should instead strive to live a holy life.
Whether or not we should do something because it is sinful is not the most important question or expectation for our choices. As opposed to asking, “Can I do this? We must consider whether doing so will advance God’s kingdom and bring Him glory. ”
RELATED: Is Addiction a Sin in the Bible?
What Famous Pastors Say About Smoking
Smoking, in the opinion of Father Wissa Gurguis Marcus of the Coptic Church in Egypt, is not in keeping with the original form of a man because God created man in the most perfect and glorious way imaginable.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a renowned Nigerian Televangelist, says that smoking is not in the Bible. However, he believes that smoking is unclean in the eyes of God and mentioned passage from Romans 14:13-14.
Bottom Line
Smoking is not exactly written as a sin in the Bible and technically does not defile the Holy Spirit’s presence within us. The consequences of satisfying our temporal desires, however, can cause us to lose focus on our goal of praising God and limit our capacity in terms of time and ability.
Let us strive for holiness and live holy lives, loving God entirely so that through Him we can love others. With Jesus as our role model, we work to retrain and refine our desires as we pursue this.
