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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, I agree with the arguments of how much better life would be if you dumped that nasty habit! The Lord literally delivered me from smoking in 1985...I never had a single nicotine fit! My wife continued to smoke after I was delivered. I never craved a smoke from her while she continued to smoke. She was delivered in the same manner a short time later. I discovered food tasted great! My taste buds were liberated! My wallet was liberated! I quit when a carton cost only 12 bucks. Now don't get me wrong and I hope others on the board don't take offense to this but I've found many of those who are quick to jump on the smoker for not caring for the temple of God will stuff themselves at the restaurant after church with fried chicken and mashed potatoes and then go for the extra large dessert...and never think about how they are defiling the Lord's temple! A person who does nothing to control weight, BP, cholesterol, yadayadayada...will be quick to let you know how sinful smoking is! That is because it has become the PC sign as to ones spirituality. It has become the sign to the churched and unchurched as to whether or not you're saved. On that ground, it would probably be a good thing to quit...most see it as an appearance of evil. Should you quit? I say you should! For your health! For your taste buds! For the stinch on your clothes and your person that you are unaware of until after you quit! When a person gets saved and starts to fellowship with my church, I don't push them to quit smoking...I let the Lord do that! I do try to lead them into the Word and into a closer walk with the Lord! But I don't put my rules on them. Go to a country church and it isn't strange to stand around in the parking lot after church and 1/2 the people are smoking while they decide where to go eat. Small town churches don't make the big deal of a cigarette the way churches in larger communities do! I don't want you to walk away from this post thinking 6days says it's OK to smoke! I hate cigarettes and wish they were never invented! But I know for myself, there are bigger spiritual issues in most of our lives than whether or not we puff on a cigarette! Quit smoking because it's nasty! Quit sin because you want to serve Jesus! |