May I smoke here??!

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Well, I must apologize - - I didn't realize it had been posted that preaching against smoking ought not be preached against.

My answer to the thread title is NO!!!

I thought the discussion was since we preach against smoking why don't we preach against other things that harm the body (i.e. gluttony since that is mentioned in the Bible)

I think some were bringing up this point to justify another end. Maybe they can clarify. Attention all antagonists, are you arguing for gluttony to prove why cigarettes and liquor should not be preached against, or are you desiring your own pastor to preach more sermons on diet and living healthy? Please clarify.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by StMark

~ ~ A SIMPLE PRAYER ~ ~

Dear Lord, I just want to thank you that we are right, Amos, St Mark, 20/20 and Ferd, and all those other beer drinking, cigarette smoking, gambling so called church folk are WRONG. convict them of their sins before it's too late. AMEN


Brethren, let's stick together. No need to argue with people that have their minds made up to smoke and drink. They have to want to be delivered from it first.


Good Day

[jtork]

Originally Posted by Amos

I don't disagree that we ought to keep our bodies healthy.

Where did that come from?

I have read on here that smoking ought not be preached against.

You are creating an argument where there is none.

LOL - who said smoking should not be preached against????? No One has said that but yet several people on here keep saying it has!!!! I am still waiting for the scripture that is used to preach against smoking - let me say ONCE AGAIN - I do not smoke - I don't think God is pleased with people that smoke just as much as I do not think God is pleased with disregard to what we put in our bodies with what we eat. Now please tell us the scripture you use - haven't heard it yet.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Most converts with common sense and that have just received the Holy Ghost, instinctly know that cigarette just doesn't fit their new home. Converts don't ask for scripture and verse for something like cigarettes, only people wishing to debate for the sake of debate do. If they ask, or when they've asked you KNOW which verse I use: our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. To defile it with cigarette smoking is useless and pointless. Hell issue? Well, just find another church. We don't do that. We have some converts that it takes a couple months for them to break the habit, but God helps them and I've been delighted to watch God work in their life.

Heaven or hell.... wow... it always comes down to that. Can't we just please the Lord?

Now your turn. Tell us what you believe. Is smoking wrong or not???

I agree that there are many things we should do because we love God, but that wasn't the question I asked - that you conveniently failed to answer.

Ok, I'm going to lay out my case here, because I have to get back to work.

I've heard plenty of preachers preach that smoking will send you to hell, and they used the "defiling the temple" scripture.

However, consider these facts:

Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America

Obesity has been linked to: Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Adult Onset Diabetes, Stroke, Gall Bladder Disease, Osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea, Respiratory Problems, Endometrial, Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancers, Dyslipidemia, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, breathlessness, Asthma, Hyperuricaemia, reproductive hormone abnormalities, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired fertility and lower back pain

Have you ever heard a preacher preach that being obese will send someone to hell? I haven't.

How many preachers are going to start preaching against fast food, since it's been linked to heart disease, liver disease, and much more?

I am absolutely against smoking, but I am not going to preach that someone will go to hell for smoking, when I can't preach that they'll go to hell for being obese.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

I think what is being said here is the messeges being preached on smoking and drinking and not being preached on the other unhealthy things in the world I have heard plenty testify how jesus saved them from drinking and smoking but never heard anyone testify about being delivered from KFC,POYPES OR CHURCHES CHICKEN I myself personally think this should not be preached since it is not biblical about smoking and drinking but you should use common since.

Bump for MP.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Amos

Bump for MP.

Ah, thanks, I did miss that one.

[RandyWayne]

Now I HAVE heard others here say that "No one who smokes will be in the bride". Guess who... hint hint.

While I strongly disagree with that statement -even thinking it is a dangerous thing to say as well as being stupid, I also think there is a reason that cigarettes are given up by so many new Christians........ It is simply God looking out for his kids and trying to keep them from doing something incredibly stupid to themselves. (Yes, overeating is BAD as well, but for some reason made light of in the current apostolic culture.)

[Amos]

Originally Posted by Innocuous

Smoking is not a sin. It's unwise, like eating too much of the wrong stuff, but not a sin.

Here you have it--smoking isn't a sin.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Most converts with common sense and that have just received the Holy Ghost, instinctly know that cigarette just doesn't fit their new home. Converts don't ask for scripture and verse for something like cigarettes, only people wishing to debate for the sake of debate do. If they ask, or when they've asked you KNOW which verse I use: our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. To defile it with cigarette smoking is useless and pointless. Hell issue? Well, just find another church. We don't do that. We have some converts that it takes a couple months for them to break the habit, but God helps them and I've been delighted to watch God work in their life.

Heaven or hell.... wow... it always comes down to that. Can't we just please the Lord?

Now your turn. Tell us what you believe. Is smoking wrong or not???

Wow. so what is it like living in a perfect world?? Where converts just instinctly know-that must be really nice.

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I agree that there are many things we should do because we love God, but that wasn't the question I asked - that you conveniently failed to answer.

Ok, I'm going to lay out my case here, because I have to get back to work.

I've heard plenty of preachers preach that smoking will send you to hell, and they used the "defiling the temple" scripture.

However, consider these facts:

Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America

Obesity has been linked to: Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Adult Onset Diabetes, Stroke, Gall Bladder Disease, Osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea, Respiratory Problems, Endometrial, Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancers, Dyslipidemia, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, breathlessness, Asthma, Hyperuricaemia, reproductive hormone abnormalities, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired fertility and lower back pain

Have you ever heard a preacher preach that being obese will send someone to hell? I haven't.

How many preachers are going to start preaching against fast food, since it's been linked to heart disease, liver disease, and much more?

I am absolutely against smoking, but I am not going to preach that someone will go to hell for smoking, when I can't preach that they'll go to hell for being obese.

Well, if the man of God confronted the person to get rid of it and they refused because they wanted to see "consistency", I'd say there was a deeper spiritual problem. Else, find a new church.

I knew where you were going with this. How in God's name can you tell obese people they are going to hell? How twisted are you? Obesity has many causes, not the least being genetic, hereditary, based on metabolism, etc... You are trying to draw the picture that they are all gluttoness slobs. Shame!