People addicted to tobacco are quick to point out that the Bible says nothing about smoking. This is simply not true. The Bible is a book of laws. The laws, when obeyed, produce great happiness for mankind. There are biblical laws that regulate health, farming, diet, child rearing and marriage. If people would follow these laws, they would live an abundant life. Yet mankind consistently chooses to violate these laws! It is true that nowhere in the Bible does God say, “Thou shalt not smoke.” But in the Sixth Commandment, He emphatically states, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) The question we need to consider is: “Does smoking harm people?”
The clinical facts have been fully tabulated on smoking. There is no doubt that there exists a direct relationship between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer does kill people. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop warned, “Cigarette smoking is clearly identified as the chief preventable cause of death in our society and the most important public health issue of our time.” A pamphlet issued by the surgeon general’s office stated that smoking “causes more illness and death than all other drugs.” One of the most current U.S. surgeon general’s warnings on a pack of cigarettes states: “Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide.” Read that warning again! To inhale cigarette smoke is to inhale carbon monoxide! Nobody in a sane state of mind would purposely inhale carbon monoxide. To put it simply, smoking is suicide.
If you smoke or use any other form of tobacco, you are doing so contrary to the serious warnings against such habits. When you smoke, you are wrecking your health. Another of the surgeon general’s warnings on a pack of cigarettes states: “Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.” If you smoke, then you are deliberately subjecting your body to serious physical harm. Here is a list of some of the chemicals found in unfiltered cigarette smoke besides carbon monoxide: hydroquinone, methacrolein, methyl alcohol, methylamine, nickel compounds, pyridine, dimethylamine, endrin, ethylamine, furfural, cadmium, methyl nitrite, ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, ddt, and nicotine. Spilling these kinds of chemicals into a water supply system could carry heavy fines for any business. If you are a smoker, you are seriously polluting your own body, and you will pay a heavy personal penalty.
Besides lung cancer, you could also be subjecting your body to other life-threatening diseases such as bladder cancer, emphysema, high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, which can lead to a stroke. From God’s point of view, is there really any difference between pointing a gun to your head and pulling the trigger or lighting a cigarette? No! Pulling the trigger on a gun usually brings death instantly. But smoking also brings death—slow, agonizing death. Both are suicide! Both violate the Sixth Commandment. If you smoke, the most important thing you can do for your health is to quit the poisonous habit immediately.
Some argue, as long as my smoking doesn’t harm anyone else, it is okay to continue the habit. But scientists have also proven that the secondary smoke produced by smokers is just as lethal for the nonsmoker living in a smoker’s environment. According to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, secondhand smoke contains twice as much tar and nicotine, three times as much of a certain kind of benozopyrene (a substance that can cause cancer), five times as much carbon monoxide (which robs the blood of life-giving oxygen), and 46 times as much ammonia (a potent eye and respiratory tract irritant) as the smoke that smokers inhale directly from their cigarettes! Many countries and many U.S. states have passed laws banning smoking in public places for this reason. Smokers not only ruin their own health but the health of others as well. Smokers do harm to others—another definite violation of the Sixth Commandment.
Smoking is also a physical sin! You need to understand why. There are many examples in the Bible where Christ showed people that their health problems were caused by sin. One example of this is the situation of the man sick of palsy. Jesus was returning home from a preaching tour. People brought to Him a man lying on a bed. Christ healed him by forgiving his sin. “Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2). What sins were forgiven? The sins that caused the man to have palsy—physical sin.
The example in Matthew 9 contains very important knowledge concerning healing. There are many physical laws God has set in motion. These laws regulate the functions of our bodies—our health. If we break these laws, we sin and get sick. “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4). This is a difficult truth for most people to accept: Healing is the forgiveness of physical sin. Matthew 9:3 continues: “At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves“ This fellow is blaspheming!” And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. (verses 4-7)
If healing is the forgiveness of physical sin, then we must be sure to repent of our physical sins. Christ told the man healed by the pool at Bethesda, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14) If we do harmful things to our bodies like eating improper foods, or even too much of the right kinds of foods (gluttony), we sin against our bodies and a penalty is exacted. The penalty is sickness! In some cases, the penalty is only temporary—but in other cases, it can mean permanent injury or death. Smoking and other uses of tobacco have been proven to be of definite harm to the body. Smoking will cause permanent damage to your lungs, which God designed and created to give you life-giving oxygen. Jesus Christ was beaten with many stripes, so we could be healed of sickness (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). How can we as Christians justify smoking and then expect Christ to heal us of the illnesses related to smoking? Smoking shows great disrespect for Christ’s sacrifice. If Jesus Christ was willing to be beaten with many stripes so we can be healed, then we should do everything possible to remain in good health! To do otherwise is sin!
Let’s go one step further. Why did God create our bodies? Paul gives us the answer: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God created our bodies to house His Holy Spirit. God created us physical human beings so that we can grow in His own character. (Matthew 5:48) Is there any justification to defile God’s temple with a destructive habit like smoking? Does the use of tobacco glorify God? Does smoking please God, honor God or serve God’s purpose? Paul also instructed the Corinthians, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31). We should work hard to maintain good health so that God’s Spirit can work effectively in us.
Smoking also harms the smoker because it reinforces weak character traits. In other words, smoking is also a spiritual sin. In the Tenth Commandment, God commands, “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17). The question we need to answer here is: Is smoking lust? Regarding the use of tobacco, God’s law is His way of life. It is a basic philosophy of life. The whole law is summed up in the one word “love.” Love is the opposite of lust. Lust is self-desire—pleasing the self only. Love means loving others. Its direction is not inward toward self alone, but outgoing, toward others. The Bible teaches that “lust of the flesh” is the way of sin. Applying the principle of God’s law one should ask “Why do I smoke?” To please others—to help others—to serve or express love toward others—or only to satisfy and gratify a desire of the flesh within my own self? The answer is obvious. “Smoking is lust of the flesh, and lust of the flesh is, according to the Bible, sin!”
Smoking breaks the Tenth Commandment. A smoker can hardly claim that he smokes to please others. People smoke to satisfy the self. Smoking is a desire, a thirst for self-gratification. It is lust! Jesus Christ taught that we must uphold the spirit of the law. (Matthew 5:27-28) In other words, we must be concerned just as much with what goes on in our minds as with our actions. Spiritually speaking, our attitudes are all-important. What is the attitude of one who desires the effects of tobacco? It is one of coveting or inordinately desiring that which is damaging. The wrong desire of the mind—lusting after tobacco—is a spiritual sin—a sin against righteous character. Smoking is one of the ways of this world. As Christians, we are to come out of this world. (Revelation 18:4; Romans 12:2).
Many people say they cannot stop smoking. That is not true! Yes, you can stop smoking! How can you stop? Here is the method you should use. First, recognize that smoking is a sin that will keep you out of the Kingdom of God. Paul said, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5). Smoking is covetousness and, as Paul states here, idolatry! Sin no longer has power over the truly converted person (Romans 6:14). God promises to cleanse us of sin if we are willing to confess our sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) In other words, God has obligated Himself to cleanse us of the sin of smoking if we repent, acknowledge our sin, and call upon Him for the extra help we need. God will help you if you humbly pray to Him for help. (Psalm 103:11-14; Isaiah 55:7-9)
Stop all smoking completely. Smoking is an addiction. Trying to quit gradually only feeds the addiction. You should quit suddenly and totally! It is not easy to quit suddenly, but it is the most successful way. Commit yourself to quitting. Throw away all cigarettes, snuff or pipe tobacco. Get rid of all those things that focus your attention on smoking, such as favorite lighters, cigarette cases or pipes. Then never buy another ounce of tobacco! The actual physical discomfort of nicotine withdrawal usually subsides within three to five days of your last cigarette (this differs with each person). The psychological withdrawal usually takes much longer. You may experience tension, hunger and symptoms of restlessness. These discomforts will subside. Usually the habit of smoking can be broken in 21 to 30 days.
Avoid compromising situations. Paul said, “Flee from sins” (1 Corinthians 6:18). You must apply this same principle to smoking. Avoid situations where you previously “lit up.” Don’t let other smokers, friends, relatives or stressful situations cause you to cave in to your old habit. Remember, just one puff will make you a habitual smoker again! Spend time with non-smokers and people who will support your efforts to remain free of cigarettes. Another way to get your mind off your smoking habit is to replace
it with some other activity. Studies have shown that it is much easier to break a bad habit and stay free of returning to that bad habit if we have something to replace it with. Try getting involved in some type of exercise program like walking, golfing, cycling or swimming, depending upon your age, athletic ability and health. Getting a physical check-up is a good idea before beginning any new exercise program. This is an excellent replacement habit.
Finally, don’t become discouraged or fear failure. And if you slip up and smoke—don’t give up! You can get rid of this life-threatening habit. When you do, you will not only live a better life physically, but also spiritually! The Bible commands us not to allow our bodies to become “mastered” by anything. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Smoking is undeniably strongly addictive. Later in the same passage we are told, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Smoking is undoubtedly very bad for your health. Smoking has been proven to damage the lungs and the heart.
Can smoking be considered “beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12)? Can it be said that smoking is truly honoring God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:20)? Can a person honestly smoke “for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)? We believe that the answer to these three questions is a resounding “no.” As a result, we believe that smoking is a sin and therefore should not be practiced by followers of Jesus Christ. In stating that smoking is a sin, we are not stating that all smokers are unsaved. There are many true believers in Jesus Christ who smoke. Smoking does not prevent a person from being saved. Nor does it cause a person to lose salvation. Smoking is no less forgivable than any other sin, whether for a person becoming a Christian or a Christian confessing his/her sin to God. (1 John 1:9) At the same time, we firmly believe that smoking is a sin that should be forsaken and, with God’s help, overcome.
Many Christians who have been heavy smokers for years can readily empathize with the plight of anyone trying to quit smoking and can fully understand the struggle experienced by those who desire to quit. Quitting is certainly not easy, but it can be done. Many two-pack-a-day smokers are now smoke-free and can attest to the fact that it can be done when we turn the matter over to God and rely on His strength and power. There are numerous reasons why quitting the smoking habit is a good idea for everyone but especially for Christians. Those who have determined to quit smoking should understand that, humanly speaking, stopping smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. Research has shown that nicotine is very addictive, even more addictive than heroin, some say.
But the addictive nature of nicotine need not discourage us. Paul tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Even though it is difficult, and full withdrawal may take time before one no longer desires cigarettes, as Christians we are to look to God from whom our help comes. We set our hearts on things above and pray the Lord will give us the strength to gain the victory in this trial. Some people leave the Lord out in their attempt to overcome bad habits, and that is a huge mistake. Prayer helps in these types of situations, and we are invited to take our problems directly to the throne of God and to Him who can solve them. (Hebrews 4:16).
Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily mean that medical stop-smoking aids cannot be used as well. Many have received great help through patches, gums, pills, etc. After prayer and consultation with a doctor, if God gives you peace about using a medical stop-smoking aid, there is no biblical reason why you cannot.
God has declared that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Where we are weak, He is strong. Our desire for tobacco will be reduced as we grow and gain strength in the Lord. The power of God will work within us to alleviate the pressure to smoke, all to His glory. God will give us the strength to put Christ first and ourselves last. In this way we will find that what we give up will be more than compensated by what we gain. Being immersed in the Word of God is essential for the Christian who desires to quit smoking.
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