When it comes to smoking, the bible says very little, if anything about it. The main most popular scripture in the bible that all the righteous folks like to "beat you" with concerning smoking is:

1-Corinthians 6:20 - For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19 & 20, does not pertain to drinking or smoking. It pertains to immorality. Specifically, it pertains to "sleeping with prostitutes".

If you have a problem believing this, read it for yourself. Go to 1 Corinthians 6:19, then back up 4 verses to 1 Corinthians 6:15 to put it in context. As you will see, Paul clearly says that "all" other sins are outside of the body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Matthew 15:11 - "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."

The sin here is "not" the person lighting up a cigarette, it is the person telling you that "God said", when "God did not say!"

Please do not misinterpret me, I do not disagree with the American Cancer society or any of the other organizations that claim smoking is dangerous or unhealthy for you,

However, I highly disagree with those who tell you that God said you'll go to hell if you smoke. God did "not" say that! It is dangerous to say "God said", when "God didn't say!" (That is a sin!)

As far as I'm concerned, enjoy that last cigarette five minutes before you go to heaven, because they probably don't sell them up there!

And as far as the (quote) "church people" in the restaurant and other public places, complaining to the management or who ever, not because they can actually smell your smoke from fifty yards away, but because they can "see" you smoking, well,

I'm dubious as to whether you will run into them up there anyway.

Fact is: If you don't smoke, don't start! If you are stupid like I was and started smoking when you were 17 years old, if you can quit, DO IT! There's no benefit in it. (and they are about six bucks a pack!) But absolutely don't let any preacher or well meaning Christian weigh you down with guilt that keeps you out of church over it!

The truth is, smoking won't send you to hell, It will just make you smell like you've been there!

A Personal Story about Smoking

I'll share a short story with you. Short but true. Some years ago I was a musician in the praise & worship group at a very large church. Behind the dressing rooms were two large metal doors leading outside, but rarely used.

One morning after the music part of the worship had ended, I was standing outside those doors smoking a cigarette with my fingers wedged between them so I would not be locked out and have to go around to get back in.

Well, one of the choir ladies walked by, opened the door (nosey) and saw me smoking a cigarette. Needless to say, the look on her face was either the look one would give if you were standing there naked,  or if you had just ran over their puppy. I'm not sure which, maybe a combination of the two.

A few days later I was asked to report to the pastors office. The pastor mentioned that one of the choir people saw me smoking. For one thing, I was not hiding it, I was simply standing outside to have a cigarette.

I saw where he was headed with this conversation and told him I was quite aware of all the arguments concerning smoking (your body is a temple of the holy spirit etc...) and had noticed that almost everyone I had heard preach them was overweight or had some other vise.

I mentioned that I also enjoy having a beer now and then. (it was actually more "now" than "then") I don't think he liked that very well. The meeting ended. He did his duty by calling me to his office, *Grin* and I went and had another cigarette.

He did mention during the meeting, "what if the children saw me smoking". I told him I would smoke in my car. After pondering it for a few days, I realized that if any children "were" wandering the parking lot during that hour in the midst of the service to see me smoking, maybe he should call "them" to his office.

THE POINT

My point is, the bible has nothing to say about smoking, good or bad. On the other hand, the bible has a lot to say about gossip and is very blunt about it!

To this day, you could not convince me that this "choir girl/lady" had my best interest at heart when she reported me. Neither did the pastor by calling me to his office. The reason was not to be a blessing to me, it was not to sincerely try to save my soul.

Lets face it. The reason was plain, old fashioned "Gossip!", and though God says nothing about smoking, God clearly condemns Gossip! To my knowledge, this choir person was never called to the pastors office concerning this.

The pastor did however, go the the music director and tell him that I drink beer! Although I'm sure the intention was to have me removed from the praise & worship group, to the music directors credit, I was not.

The Ministry of Jesus

According to historical accounts, the ministry of Jesus only lasted a few years here on earth. Unfortunately, Jesus had to spend a considerable amount of that time dealing with ridiculous problems like the one above.

Jesus had to deal with people who were ready to condemn him for even "healing" on the Sabbath. Because God said it was a day of rest!  Well, you can see things have not changed much, except for getting worse.

The church accepts the word of the American Cancer association as Gods written word. And it is not! Furthermore, to be politically correct, does not make you scripturally correct!

Don't misinterpret me, if you smoke, quit now! I'd be a fool if I told you that cigarettes were good for you. But worse than smoking, is pretending to be holier than anyone else because you don't! This will destroy your soul. Smoking, on the other hand, will only destroy your body.

God Bless You

Dan Douglass

Your gift is needed and appreciated

Make checks or money orders payable to:
Dan Douglass
P.O. Box 320611
Flint, Michigan
48532

Last Updated 09/01/2008

If you would like to be informed of future updates, articles and other things of interest, Subscribe below.