Can A Person Be A Smoker & Still Be Saved

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Rico, you are exhibiting immaturity. I am embarrassed for you. Have you even considered that there ARE smokers viewing this thread? People who have struggled to quit, want to quit, feel Jesus telling them to quit? You are doing the work of the enemy as you justify the filthiness of flesh.

Hogwash! I would counsel anyone who smokes to stop it. It's a dangerous habit to have, apart from anything pertaining to scriptures. You guys come on here, swinging your swords like you're doing the work of the Lord or something. Spare me, PP. All you and Brother Epley have succeeded in doing is giving more ammunition to those who believe the Church is full of people who are self righteous, accusatory, and think they're holier than those around them. Your approach to disseminating truth embarrasses me as a Christian.

[Nahum]

Look, your anger is unjustified. Tell me, what is the purpose of your many posts on this thread extolling the permissability of smoking? Why is that, only now, you issue cautionary words to our readers? You have made sport out of a deadly sin, and it sickens me.Think of the consequences of your posts, my Friend.QUOTE=Rico;524197]Hogwash! I would counsel anyone who smokes to stop it. It's a dangerous habit to have, apart from anything pertaining to scriptures. You guys come on here, swinging your swords like you're doing the work of the Lord or something. Spare me, PP. All you and Brother Epley have succeeded in doing is giving more ammunition to those who believe the Church is full of people who are self righteous, accusatory, and think they're holier than those around them. Your approach to disseminating truth embarrasses me as a Christian.[/QUOTE]

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Look, your anger is unjustified. Tell me, what is the purpose of your many posts on this thread extolling the permissability of smoking? Why is that, only now, you issue cautionary words to our readers? You have made sport out of a deadly sin, and it sickens me.Think of the consequences of your posts, my Friend.

Is that deadly as in spiritual death or physical death?

[Brad Murphy]

Anyone who starts or continues smoking because they read a thread on a discussion forum has bigger issues...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Just thinking.... Most will agree that mere temptation isn't sin -after all Jesus Himself was 'tempted". If a person was trying to quit smoking (or drugs, or gambling, or grannies hard cider.....) wouldn't the addiction fall under the realm of temptation then?

Temptation is not sin, unless you follow through on it. Most addicts treat their temptations to the source of their addiction on a regular basis--else they would not be addicts.

[Aquila]

No one has said that smoking is permissible that I'm aware of.

1.) Some are saying if you take a puff you're lost instantly. (Eply)
2.) Others are saying that God abides and delivers if the saint is striving and/or struggling. (Me and Rico)

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Is that deadly as in spiritual death or physical death?

i my opinion both, dt

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Look, your anger is unjustified. Tell me, what is the purpose of your many posts on this thread extolling the permissability of smoking? Why is that, only now, you issue cautionary words to our readers? You have made sport out of a deadly sin, and it sickens me.Think of the consequences of your posts, my Friend.QUOTE=Rico;524197]Hogwash! I would counsel anyone who smokes to stop it. It's a dangerous habit to have, apart from anything pertaining to scriptures. You guys come on here, swinging your swords like you're doing the work of the Lord or something. Spare me, PP. All you and Brother Epley have succeeded in doing is giving more ammunition to those who believe the Church is full of people who are self righteous, accusatory, and think they're holier than those around them. Your approach to disseminating truth embarrasses me as a Christian.

[/QUOTE]

The Bible says sin is the transgression of the law. Nothing in the law says not to smoke, so you are adding to the Word of God by proclaiming cigarette smoking to be a sin. If you want to stand against it on the grounds that it's not healthy, so be it, because it truly is an unhealthy habit to have. But to come on here and proclaim that anyone who smokes is in sin goes beyond what the Word says. You try to use scriptures that talk about defiling the temple for your justification, then deny the same principle when it's applied to other types of "defilement." Then, when people point out these inconsistencies, you accuse them of being smokers and the devil's helpers.

It's as if anyone who doesn't agree with you is automatically your enemy and worthy of attack. You guys do the same thing with anything else anyone doesn't agree with you on. I will stand against it no matter who I see doing it. I make a point of becoming a mirror to anyone I see being judgmental so they can see what they look like. How does it feel to have someone get in your face and tell you you're wrong? How does it feel to have someone judge your actions harshly? How does it feel to have someone make you feel like you are doing something wrong in God's eyes? Does it make you want to repent, or does it just make you angry that someone thinks they're better than you are?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

Anyone who starts or continues smoking because they read a thread on a discussion forum has bigger issues...

No doubt.

[Nahum]

There is no Biblical prohibition against cocaine, crack, child pornography and a host of other issues. Your argument is flawed and useless. You are appealing to the baser nature of every poster here, and your attitude reeks. It's ironic that I am only considered self-righteous when I choose to take a principled stand that differs from yours.