Chuck Bartlett

If you are a smoker, and enjoy smoking, how would you feel if I came out and said, "It is not a sin to smoke."? Would that make you feel good? What if I told you, "It is a sin to smoke" would that upset you? The truth is, it really doesn't matter what I say, or what others say, or even what you say for that matter. The fact is, if we want to please God and want to go to heaven, we better listen to what God has to say about it.

Now, if someone doesn't want to carefully examine what the Lord has said on this subject, then the problem goes much deeper than smoking. When a person has a heart problem, smoking is the least of their problems. So, let's consider the subject, and do our best to not bring in our opinions.

First of all, smoking is not a sin because is causes homes, clothes and breathe to smell bad. I don't like to go into a hotel room where smoking is allowed because the smell sickens me. But in truth, I wouldn't like it if I went into a hotel room that allowed pets since the smell of animals would bother me too. So, is it a sin to own an animal? Of course not. Let's just make sure we don't call something sinful based upon person preference. After all, someone might like the smell of cigarette smoke and the smell of animals.

So, where can we turn in our Bibles that approves or disapproves of smoking? There isn't one passage that identifies smoking. But that does not mean there aren't any scriptures that can apply. For example. In Philippians 4:8, it reads, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."   What I like about this text is it covers specific things not listed in the Bible. What things are lovely and pure to think about? We can know. The same thought is presented in Galatians 5:19-21, where it lists the works of the flesh. In that text it stated the "such like." There are sins not specifically identified, but we can know if something is related to the works of the flesh.  The point is, the Lord expects us, as His people, to use righteous judgment (Jn. 7:24).

What concerns should Christians have, if any, about smoking? If we use the passage in Philippians 4:8, we need to examine our example; our health; and our self-control. All three of these things are spoken of by the Lord.  Let's look at each of them.

Our example

The examples we set cover a wide spectrum. Everyone from coworkers, to neighbors; to your husband or wife; to your children and brothers and sisters in Christ. Letting our light shine is vital (Matt. 5:13-16). Does smoking reflect godliness? Is it something I want my children to engage in, or even my grandchildren? Remember, it matters to God, what non-Christians are thinking about His people, when advocating faithful service (I Cor. 14:23).  When laws are enacted to keep second hand smoke away from others, what is the world to think when they see Christians smoking around their "loved" ones, let alone people in general? No, there is something wrong when one cares little about the negative impact they have with their example.

Our health

There is no question that there are many things that can harm our bodies. Too much eating can harm our bodies. That being the case, does that justify smoking? Two wrongs do not make a right. Jesus made it clear that the body needs nutrition, thus we need to eat (Matt. 4:4). If we do not work, we do not deserve to eat (II Thes. 3:10).  We eat and drink to sustain our bodies. What nutrition does smoking bring to the table? Does smoking help us physically in any way? If a person is weak from malnutrition, will smoking help them get stronger? The answer is obvious. The fact is, people are not healthier due to smoking. Most illnesses that exist in smokers are either caused by the smoking or it hinders the recovery from other illnesses.

Our self-control

The apostle Paul made it clear that he would not allow anything to control him, rather he would control himself (I Cor. 9:27). There are all kinds of addictions in this world. Everything from drinking, to drugs and as mentioned earlier, even eating.  John mentioned the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, which can also be addictive (I Jn. 2:16). These are sins that one can control. Therefore, people succumb to pornography, homosexuality, covetousness, gambling, and all other sinful acts when they are out of control.  Who can deny the addictiveness to smoking? The chemicals in the cigarettes are designed to create the craving. This is why you see people at different job sites where employees are standing out in the cold or the rain having to satisfy that craving.

This article is not to make light of the habit of smoking. Trying to kick any habit can be very challenging. I was raised in a non-Christian home where smoking was the norm. But, years later, when so much more was learned about the dangers of smoking, I have seen both my parents quit. But wait, why did they quit? Did they want to know about what the Bible had to say about it? No. They just realized it was harming them. My own mother, to this day, does not allow smoking in her home. Brethren, as Jesus stated, the sons of the world are wiser than the sons of light (Lk. 16:8), at times.

When the world calls something a "sin tax" that Christians refuse to acknowledge as sin, who is fooling whom? Sin is terrible no matter what it is. Smoking is just another tool that the devil is using to have people feel comfortable in their actions. Can you honestly picture Jesus (whom we are to be like- I Pet. 2:21), going into a store and ask for a pack of cigarettes, light up a smoke, and then go outside and preach to people about the kingdom of God and putting the Lord first? Please consider the seriousness of this.