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NASB | Mark 7:18 And He *said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 7:18 And He said to them, "Are you, too, so foolish and lacking in understanding? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile and dishonor him, |
Bible Question: I smoke. I take this scripture as not an encouragement to smoke, but a grace that smoking will not defile me in the eyes of God. What are you opinions on a beleiver smoking? The arguement of love thy neighbor doesnt seem to fit either, considering the amount of pollution in the air in some places in the world is worse than smoke from a cigarette. The body is a temple yes, but isnt that the soul where God dwells? His laws are not written on our bodies, but on our hearts, and souls. I'm looking for opinions here on this subject if at all possible. |
Bible Answer: Dadda: Why do you smoke? I don't expect an answer from you, because I'm going to supply it myself. You smoke because you are addicted to nicotine. I know. I've smoked. And I know that it's tough to kick the habit. But consider these things: Are the health hazards of no concern to you? What about the costs? Cigarettes are expensive these days, over 3 bucks a pack unless I'm much mistaken. A person who puffs up a pack a day is sucking a hundred bucks a month worth of poison into his lungs. Have you ever seen anyone die of lung cancer? I have. Not a pleasant sight I assure you. And think of all the beneficial ways you could use an extra 100 dollars a month instead of watching those hard-earned dollars literally go up in smoke. You could probably cut a deal with the Lockman Foundation to send a hundred dollars worth of Bibles every month to people who are hungry for God's word. ..... According to your testimony you are a babe in Christ, having been saved in March of this year. What about your witness to others? Do you want to appear to others as a redeemed child of God who loves God enough to take care of the body that He gave you to tabernacle in on this earth, or would you rather be a coughing, wheezing smokestack? Please don't continue to try to find justification for your addiction to nicotine on the grounds that it's o.k. because there is no 11th Commandment in Scripture that says, "Thou shalt not smoke." You are deluding yourself by this kind of thinking. Do you have a family? If you do, do you smoke at home and subject them to the stink and filth of tobacco smoke and ashes? Friend, I've come down hard on this subject. I know that. But if I've goaded you hard enough to get you to think straight about tobacco, to see it for what it is -- a nasty, stinking, disease-causing addiction, an abject waste of time and money, and something that does not honor God, you, your family and friends, and does not contribute favorably to your Christian witness -- if this post leads you to a conviction that smoking is bad and to a resolution that you are going to kick the habit, then I'll consider it a post worth my time and effort. And you can kick the habit you know. You may need God's help in doing it. But if you are as you say you are, a redeemed child of the King, get on your knees and petition God to help you with your burden. I surely believe that He will if you will ask Him in faith. --Hank |