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NASB | Isaiah 44:1 "But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, And Israel, whom I have chosen: |
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Subject: Is it sin to smoke a cigarette? |
Bible Note: GreatfullyDead I see Paul’s statement to the Corinthians as more specific, noting that he says “All OTHER sins man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” We should note that adulterery is one of the 10 Commandments. I therefore think it is incorrect to use the “body as a temple defense”. Really, we have to ask ourselves, where does it end? Ok smoking is bad, what else? Well, alcohol is bad, so that too must be a sin. Caffeine alters your ‘temple’; therefore it is a sin too. In fact, all drugs alter your body, so we should let our child die instead of taking medication. Do you see the snowballing that legalism gets into? “”If you'll check with any reformed ex-smoker or ex-drug user, they'll all tell you the same thing. That "stuff" in the human body becomes a monster, controlling your every waking moment.”” Yes, I know. Not only am I an ex smoker, I’m also an ex drug user. But, I didn’t use the body as a temple statement. That carries way too many legalistic aspects as noted above. “”Please, I would beg you, DON'T give encouragement to anyone who is hooked on this junk and let him think God won't hold them accountable. We need to help educate people like this and love their souls enough to tell them the truth. I do hope you'll reconsider. There are far more damaging, long term effects than just the image you mentioned. God bless you in your study.”” Don’t get me wrong now. I certainly don’t give encouragement to anyone. In fact, I know that I can use my own testimony to help out others. I’ve been there with the smoking, I’ve been there with the drugs; I know. You should not do this, make no mistake. However we need to be careful what we condemn as a sin, we must avoid the Holier than thou mode of thinking. Cults do that, not Christians. Take care, SUEDE |