The DeGRAFF FREE
State Route 235/
Phone: (937) 585-4463
James R. Roby, Pastor
Where There's Smoke There's Fire, and Where There's
Fire There's Destruction
Confronting the issue of smoking in the life
of the Christian
Surely one of the most troublesome topics for Christians today is the issue of
smoking. Is it a sin, or just a matter of preference for each individual ? Does it really matter whether or not someone smokes ? Can someone who smokes be right with the Lord ? Much has been said both for and against smoking by
saved and lost people alike. But, as with any issue, we can find the truth
about the matter from God's Word and can know of a certainty whether smoking is
something that should be found in the life of a Christian.
Now, please, if you get your feelings hurt easily, maybe you should learn to
love God's Word before you read any more of this. Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend
them." Or if you have made up your mind that, whatever the Word of God
says, you are going to continue smoking, then please put this tract down
because you are just wasting God's time and yours. Moreover, according to
Proverbs 29:1, God may be tired of dealing with you already. "He
that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." But if you have an
open heart, and want to know what God says, then please read on. What you are
about to read may change your life forever.
As you read this, keep in mind that smoke comes from something that is
burning. What is so bad about that is the fact that when a fire is burning, it
destroys something along the way. Let's look at three things that you destroy
by smoking.
1. It destroys your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit
When you hear that smoking destroys, you probably think of your body first
of all. And it is true that smoking does harm your body. It doesn't take a
genius to figure out that smoking makes your lungs black and burnt. It can
cause lung cancer, throat cancer, and even lip cancer. Does God want you to
destroy your body like that ? Let's see. 1 Corinthians
3:16,17, "Know ye not that ye are the
2. It destroys your testimony, the witness of Jesus Christ to others
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
He wasn't talking about the light on the end of your cigarette, because, as you
have already seen, smoking is not a good work. Jesus was telling us that we
have a testimony in this world. You represent Jesus to the WORLD. Listen to 2
Corinthians 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God." That's right - we are ambassadors, we work in Christ's stead, we
represent Him. I don't know of anyone who smokes and also has a good testimony
before others. Those who know them well have little respect for them and almost
no confidence in them. Time after time I have heard Christians tell how they
tried to tell someone about the saving power of God, and how He could break the
sinner from drinking and whoremongering, only to
be rebuked by that person because of the cigarette in their own hand. A
drunkard could rightfully say, "You talk about my drinking being bad, but
your smoking is no different." You who smoke, tell me something: who in
the world can you witness to while you're smoking ? No
one! If I were looking for a church, and a man I met in the store invited me to
his church, I would not even listen to him if he were smoking. A smoker
has no testimony. You might say, "Oh, but preacher, I smoke in private
where no one sees me." Really ? Do you live your
whole life in isolation so that no one can smell the stench of smoke on your clothes ? Where do you buy cigarettes where no one sees you ? Someone once said, "Well, smoking won't send me
to hell." True, but it will make other people think you are going. If you
smoke, you destroy your testimony.
3. It destroys your fellowship, the daily walk with God
If you have believed what you've read so far, you understand that smoking is
a sin. If that is so, then how do you deal with this verse ?
Psalm 66:18, "If I regard iniquity [sin] in my heart, the Lord will not
hear me." Smoking is, according to the word of many, a habit which is very
hard to break. I don't want to minimize that, but are you telling me that your
habit has more influence and control in your life than God does
? Do you mean to say that a nicotine fix takes precedence over Jesus ? My friend, whether you admit it or not, that is
exactly what is happening. You are committing idolatry using a bunch of
dried-up leaves in rolled-up paper. You may say, "I smoke, but I have
fellowship with God and have a good prayer and study life." Oh, and do you
lie about other things ? There is NO WAY God will
fellowship with you in prayer and Bible study if you continue clinging to your
pet sin. I don't know of anyone who smokes and is filled with the Spirit of
God. I didn't say they didn't have the Spirit, but I do say they are not
controlled by the Spirit. No, friend, the power of God is not on your life, but
the judgment of God either is or soon will be. Revelation 3:19, "As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth."
As you can see, we have a great obligation to our Saviour
to live a holy life, bear a good witness to others, and stay in constant
fellowship with God. Of course there are many other things which may hinder us,
but smoking is certainly one of the most prevalent ones. King James, of
