Quote:
Originally Posted by mizpeh
LOL, okay then...the question to Spurgeon's comment "intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and calm, refreshing sleep obtained by a cigar", does not the alcoholic and the cigarette addict feel exactly the same when taking that first hit off a cigarette or drink from the bottle after not having any for a time? Spurgeon is justifying his addiction by thanking God for the substance he is addicted to.
And if Spurgeon is truly not addicted to smoking tobacco should he consider his weaker brethren who will be emboldened by this giant of a Christian leader to do the same as him only without moderation?
And finally and most importantly does smoking defile the temple of the Holy Ghost? Do we destroy our body which is God's temple by smoking?
|
Now see you are making me go after a story and a quote from Spurgeon about addictions and the weaker brother...
As to the last no I don't believe smoking defiles the temple, the reality is our bodies are dying from the day we are born.
Now for the stories...
"If I ever find myself smoking to excess, I promise I shall quit entirely."
"What would you call smoking to excess?" the man asked.
"Why, smoking two cigars at the same time!" was the answer.
"Enjoying your 'bacca again, sir!" said old George, Mr. Spurgeon's tried and trusted servant, one day when his master was lighting a cigar.
"I can do without my 'bacca' a good deal easier than you can, George," said the master.
"I don't believe you can, sir."
"Very well, George, don't smoke again until I do."
"Agreed, sir."
A week passed—a fortnight. Poor old George was dying for his pipe. One was asked to intercede with the master that George might be allowed to have it.
"No, no!" said Mr. Spurgeon. "He made a bargain; let him stick to it."
Eventually George was allowed to smoke, but Mr. Spurgeon did not have a cigar for months after that. . . .
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
“I neither said nor implied that it was sinful to drink wine; nay, I said that, in and by itself, this might be done without blame. But I remarked that, if I knew that another would be led to take it by my example, and this would lead them on to further drinking, and even to intoxication, then I would not touch it.”
http://trevinwax.com/2006/12/06/spur...-of-the-story/