My Answer: Is it acceptable for a Christian to smoke?

I purposefully didn't answer. When I posted the following question on Facebook last week, I wanted those answering to search their own hearts, Bibles, convictions and know their own answer if ever asked why they believe the way they do. In my own past, when questions have been asked about why I believe certain things, I've been guilty of being silent until the pastor or teacher proclaimed his/her belief and gave us what must have been the "right answer." For years I formed my beliefs this way. I'm not proud of that.

    Growing up as the son of a preacher, I was never further than a question to my parents, as well as a variety of other Godly influences, from what I thought I was supposed to believe about any spiritual matter. But as time passed, I studied God's word for myself and was challenged by all of them to do so. On some questions, my personal study only reinforced what I'd heard as a child. On others, I found that I differed somewhat from what I'd been taught along the way and that my understanding of scripture lead me to a few different places. (I'm not going to tell you whether my parents and I disagree on any of these questions. If you want to know that, you've TOTALLY missed the reason for the blog series or the challenge to you behind it!) I read 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I felt that this directive was calling me farther past just my hope of salvation, but about anything for which I felt a conviction within my faith. This blog is not THE answer. It is MY answer according to my personal Bible study. I challenge you to find yours.

With that in mind, last week I began posting one question per day that, as of the writing of this blog, many Christians are asking. There are some things that make eternal differences (i.e. Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus died on a cross and was raised to life three days later, etc.). These questions fall of lesser weight, but are debated as not being very clear cut in scripture. By far, the majority of Christians have stances on these things, however. And there are wonderful God-fearing people of God on both sides of every question. So I wanted to know if they got their stance from their pastors and teachers, or if they'd actually studied on their own and developed their own conclusions. I saved my answers for here.

My plan is to answer one question per day until all seven are complete. If I listed all seven answers in blog, it would be really LOOONG! We may differ in our opinions or convictions. That's ok with me as long as it is you. I won't be debating with you. You can share with me below if you want to say that you disagree with me...as long as you also put the WHY! :-)

1. Is it acceptable for a Christian to smoke?

There are basically two questions I ask myself first when approaching any question like this. The same process will be followed in developing my answers to the following questions. 

1. Is the action against what is taught in scripture?
2. Is the action wise for me to do?

The first question speaks for itself. The second comes from a book by Pastor Andy Stanley, The Best Question Ever. He bases the book off of Ephesians 5:15 and gives three "filters." The resulting question is: "In light of my past failures, my present circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?"

Is smoking against what is taught in scripture? There are no references to smoking in scripture. Now many have used the argument of the fact that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I get that! I do! But the exact same argument could be made about eating Twinkies. As a matter of fact, every scriptural argument I've ever heard on this subject could just as easily be used for gluttony! Choose any verse you want. This is not the only one I've heard used on this issue. But Christians don't talk about gluttony, do we? "Food doesn't smell as bad as cigarettes and besides, we use food for fellowship. We don't use them cigarettes for fellowship Bro. Kevin." And what about the cancer the cigarettes cause? Valid point. But if you do the math, you'll find that exponentially more people die every year from issues related to overeating than ever do from lung cancer. If you're going to use the "temple" verses, that's fine with me. An argument can be made. But don't try to make the argument if you don't have a problem eating the extra cookie before bed.

Is it wise? The same answer would be given to this as to the previous question. Is it wise to have half the pan of brownies your wife cooked just so you can eat them while they're hot? Probably not. But in this case, over indulgence becomes the key factor. What if all you do is have a cigar with the guys only once in a while? I don't see the problem here. If it becomes an issue where it is becoming addictive, then there's a problem. But if not, I wouldn't tell you not to eat just because you might one day eat too much. That's just my opinion.

But if you overindulge in anything that brings damage to your body (smoking, gluttony, drug use, etc.), in my opinion, according to scripture, you (we) are in a sinful act. My point here is not so much to say that smoking isn't a sin as much as to say that we shouldn't point the finger at someone else just because their sin is different from ours.