Can A Person Be A Smoker & Still Be Saved

[RandyWayne]

I hear ya.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Sorry, nicotine is the addictive substance, right? But it is the smoke that is harmful, you're right. I edited my post.

Yup. It's the nicotine smoker's crave, not all the other junk found in tobacco smoke. Interestingly enough, nicotine is a natural insecticide. I am not sure if the tobacco companies spray their crops with nicotine, but I wouldn't put it past them even for a second. They spray all kinds of chemicals on the tobacco crops. Those chemicals are a big reason why smoking causes cancer. Back when people grew their own tobacco we didn't have such a big problem with smokers getting cancer.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

You know I was thinking about this during church tonight and really this issue has more to do with the following scripture moreso than the "Body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." concept and that is...

"Thou shall have no other Gods before me."

Man cannot serve a nicotine addiction and the Lord at the same time.

Nicotine isn’t a god…it’s an addictive substance like caffeine. If an addiction is idolatry countless numbers of Apostolics, including pastors, are doomed to a devil’s hell. It’s an unhealthy habit that can hinder our witness, make us sick, and shorten our days. But it’s not idolatry.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

I like the way brother Epley put it. No one saved smokes.

I am sure in 123 pages it has already been said that addiction is what will ........ a person, not smoking in and of itself...although it is a putrid, disgusting, and filthy.

Any addiction is a worship of flesh.

I remember our church softball team, a few of us went into a Conoco just before and low and behold they had a spearmint leaf chew...We thought we were so cool putting a pinch of mint between our cheek and gum spitting...it was kind of silly actually...I used to chew Beech Nut in the Summers and College playing baseball.

If addiction is “worship of flesh”, or idolatry, as you proposed in a previous post…partaking in any addictive substance is sinful because it tantamount to dabbling or trafficking with idols. This means drinking coffee, pop, eating sweets high in sugars, medications, and chocolate are also sinful because they all contain addictive substances. There was a documentary called, “Supersize Me”. In it they discussed the chemical composition of McDonald’s fries and sandwiches and how they impact the brain’s chemistry. Essentially the brain responds to the chemical compositions in their food like it does a drug. The brain also responds to the aroma of coffee. Coffee’s aroma releases chemicals in the brain that produce a sense of peace and warmth. This is why it’s so common for people to not like the taste of coffee…but love the aroma. It’s a drug. In fact it was outlawed throughout Europe and sold illegally like other drugs long ago. When Europeans began drinking coffee it was a scandal and considered immoral and “dirty”. God knows what they would have thought about Mountain Dew. LOL

I see where an addiction might be a stronghold in one’s life, especially if it affects their behavior and state of mind. But I think it’s EXTREME to say that addiction is idolatry or “a worship of flesh”.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I am not excusing gluttony however this changes nothing about this subject.

The point is…if a smoker is unsaved and going to Hell…you have to admit that so are preachers like this one. Or…will you be selective in your condemnations?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Back in the olden days, the Holy Ghost was powerful enough to deliver from worldly habits.

I’ve discovered something unsettling about us Pentecostals. We glorify the past and view it through rosy glasses. We don’t see or remember how many struggled with drinking or smoking…we don’t see or remember how many claimed deliverance…but hid their habits. We don’t see or remember how many claimed deliverance and then “backslid”…only to claim deliverance next week and backslide again. Yes there were and still are miraculous deliverances. But these are not the status quo and never have been. That’s why they are seen as being so “miraculous”.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

ONE cigarette serves the addiction, nicotine god.

Nicotine isn’t a god…it’s an addictive substance like caffeine and other addictive substances. I’m amazed at all this charismatic superstition.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

They can't imagine that some of us DON'T smoke, therefore are not trying to justify our "sin"...

I’ve never yet met a person who didn’t struggle with some form of sin. To condemn someone struggling with smoking without being equally condemning to others is to single out people for destruction while excusing others. I don’t believe it pleases the Lord to eat fast food as much as we do…but I don’t think it’s a sin to eat fast food. I don’t believe it pleases the Lord to smoke or have any other addiction…but I don’t see it as sin unless specifically condemned in Scripture. That’s the thing…we have to speak were Scripture speaks and be silent where it is silent. Scripture doesn’t mention smoking. But it does admonish us to health and having an abundant life. Therefore I believe that smoking should be seen as a health issue, something to admonish against and encourage freedom from. But I wouldn’t condemn a saint who is struggling with this addiction by insinuating that they are idolaters or hell bound. I think that’s spiritually abusive. Spiritual abuse runs rampant in our fellowship and I believe more will face condemnation over spiritual abuse than we know. We need to let smokers know how much the Lord loves them and how their body is a temple of the Holy Ghost and how we should aspire to cleanliness and freedom. Encourage them to break free and hold them up in prayer. You guys can condemn them if you like…but spiritual abuse of a struggling saint is something I wouldn’t want to face in the judgment.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I think it's contradictory for a person to be addicted to any substance, and yet have "freedom" in Christ. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs...how can a person walk through life bound, and yet be free? It seems that one counteracts the other.

I do believe we should keep our temples as clean and healthy as possible. And addictive substances bind us, which is in conflict with Christ, who frees us. I don't know if a person can be saved while being addicted to any substance, nicotine or otherwise--not because the cigarette is necessarily a sin, in and of itself, but because of the weight or burden it places on the life of the person and their walk with God. It would be a hindrance, at the very least.

Amen. I don’t see addiction as a sin…I see it as a stronghold, a form of bondage, that could cost us our health and happiness. I know powerfully anointed preachers who are coffee addicts, have eating disorders, struggle with carnal thoughts. We’re all human and we are all battling this thing in our nature called sin. Thank God for the blood!

It seems to me that a person who is addicted to a substance depends on that substance for happiness or relief from troubles rather than on God. Why not stop to pray instead of lighting up or taking a drink or taking a pill?

Amen.

[AbundantGrace]

Originally Posted by Nina

Brother Epley,

I use to smoke.....





Now I'm on FIRE!!!

With the Power of Jesus!

Nina



Are Ya gonna answer my questions????????????????

He's probably too busy studying the KEV - King Epley Version of the Bible and smacking on a greasy pork chop to have time to answer you... Or perhaps he just has no answer...