Smokers On Fire
Christians are directed to let their lights shine for Christ (Matt. 5:16). What kind of an example do you suppose a Christian, who smokes, is having for Christ? It certainly is not a good example.
We, Christians, must remember that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19), and that when we impair the functions of the body, or shorten the life span of the body, we would be guilty of sin. Christians are bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 1:19); therefore, with our body we must bring glory to God (I Cor. 6:20). Would it be right to take that which belongs to Christ and impair its functions and/or destroy it with the "fire of tobacco"? It has been proven beyond any question that smoking is harmful to the body and that it will shorten the life span.
Paul admonished Christians to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God," (Rom. 12:1). By what stretch of the imagination would Christians who smoke think God wants a burning sacrifice?
Smoking is filthy, dirty, expensive, offensive and injurious to a person's health. Tobacco contains the following poisons, according to Dr. J. Dixon Mann, "Nicotine, Pyridine bases, Ammonia, Methylamine, Prussic Acid, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphuretted Hydrogen and Carbolic Acid." (The Cigarette As A Physician Sees It, by Daniel H. Kress, M.D. pp. 21-22) Why deliberately expose the body to these poisons?
I know of gospel preachers, elders, song leaders, Bible teachers, many members, who smoke. Their influence cannot be as effective as it would if they did not smoke. Most Christians who smoke are a slave to the habit. We often hear someone say, "I have tried, but I just cannot quit smoking." This would be similar in saying, "I take God's name in vain, but I just cannot break the habit," or "I look upon women to lust after them, but I just cannot break myself of this practice." The truth of the matter is just this, those who desire salvation for their soul must stop, quit, repent of all sinful things. It takes determination to quit a wrong thing and to do that which Christ approves. Those who are slaves to the habit of smoking do not have the desire, will power, or they would stop smoking.
We hear a great deal today about air pollution. Surely, we are all in favor of clean air to breath. Smokers will pollute a room, the house, or office which they occupy and most of the time with no thought or consideration for others. Smoking is offensive!
If you desire to teach your child the wrong involved in taking God's name in vain, would you take God's name in vain before him? If you want your child to grow up and be honest, would you practice dishonesty before him? If you want your child to smoke, then smoke before him; in fact why not give him a puff because you must be convinced there is no harm in smoking. You really cannot believe this.
I believe smoking is harmful to the body; therefore, it is sinful. When a person obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ he must give up all sinful practices. Why not give up smoking, for it is a harmful and sinful practice.
I suppose some good smoking brother will desire to take me to task for this article. Allow me to suggest that he defend[s] the Christian who smokes. Let him show that smoking is not harmful to one's body and thus not sinful. I think brethren should desire to give up smoking and that those of us who do not smoke should do what we can to encourage them to do this.
2601 Teresa Dr., Newport, Ark. 72112