Is smoking cigarettes a sin?

[adelphos]

To all...

 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are (I Corinthians 3:16-17)."

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, to by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable work of service (Romans 12-1)."

God bless and keep you.

[Aiki Storm]

I don't believe smoking, by itself is a sin.  We are told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are to care for them.  As a christian, you are going to feel the need to quit because of this fact.  This also goes for overeating or overdoing anything.  But, no you are not going to hell if you have accepted Jesus in your heart and would happen to die today and you haven't quit smoking yet!  I'm sure your friends mean well but they are incorrect.  

[carsncandy]

Hhhhmmmm....
Very interesting question. I'll share a short (?) story. I was a smoker and a christian, for some time, about five years ago I was listening to a series of teachings and although I can't seem to recall most of the teaching now, I was impacted by a story about a man that was urged by the Holy Spirit to pray for his daughter that was in a tribal village on a missions trip. He went about his business and eventually was so pressed to praythat he could no longer ignore the beckoning of the Lord. He and his wife prayed for two days. Aftera period of time they were contacted by the daughter's husband and he told them of the two days that their child's life hung in the balance with a life defying infection!
For me, I never really prayedwhen I smoked, I always njoyed smoking but felt that God probably didn't smoke, and Him, being a non-smoker it didn't seem very respectful. I was so moved and I so wanted the Lord to use me in a real way, and becuse of my habit, I felt somehow seperated from Him. I wanted to be available at any time that God anted me, not just when I wasn't smoking. I never smoked again. I had asked the Lord many times and also felt the He hadn't "done it for me yet", that's a lie, He did it, remember the cross, He did do it.  It's like having an umbrella ans standing in the pouring rain. It does take work  (open your umbrella)and effort on our part, I know, believe me I know it IS hard, REALLY hard. I pray that you will be strenthened and encouraged in a real way that you will feel strong enough...
but, He DID do it already.

[bluelake]

Hey there everyone.  I am a new Christian and I am a smoker.  I would like to quit and I am working on doing so.  I wanted to know if smoking is a sin?  One of the main reasons I ask is because a few Christian friends of mine have told me I am going to hell whether I accepted Christ or not because I do smoke cigarettes.  I definetly do not want to appear to be a hypocrite.  Can someone give me some feedback as to whether this is a sin or not?

Thanks in advance,

Amanda

Hi Amanda,
Interesting question. Smoking is definitely bad for your health. So is over eating and drinking to much. God knows our weaknesses. I would pray for help for anything thing that the Holy Spirit is convicting you about.
I have met Pastors that smoke. The Bible does say that the drunkard will not inherit the Kingdom.
If you feel that you should quit, the Lord will help you.
I quit years ago, but I did it because I knew it was bad for me and that I wasn't presenting a christian witness. It really doesn't look nice to see a lady with a cigarette in her face.

Lord God, please help Amanda to stop smoking. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen  

bluelake