Where In The Bible Will I Find:

That The Use Of Tobacco Is Sinful?

Most of us have known for a long time that tobacco products are very harmful to one's health. Much research has proven this to be true, and so, in view of all this research, the disputers of fact should be silenced. But yet, some in the Lord's church still maintain by their actions that it is perfectly permissible for Christians to use tobacco products.

To some, it is such as controversial subject that they refuse to speak out against it. Actually, they do not wish to hurt any one's feelings by telling them that this sin, unless repented of, will condemn their souls to hell.

Certainly it would be better to warn a person, even if it did hurt their feelings, than to see him lose his soul. The headlines in the Washington (AP) Daily Morning Eagle, Thursday, June 27, 1991, on B5 reads, "Survey: Even researchers receiving tobacco money readily admit smoking kills." The article states a survey of scientists who get research money from the tobacco industry shows most of those responding believe cigarette smoking causes serious and often fatal diseases.

According to the report, 94 percent agreed that even second hand smoke is harmful to non-smokers. Also, 91 percent agreed that most lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. While the church in many quarters has been negligent to discourage smoking among its members, much of society, apart from the church has moved to ban smoking in public places.

These restrictions are certainly welcomed by those who do not want to breathe second hand smoke and to have their hair and clothing inundated with the foul odor. Smoking is one of the most antisocial habits of our society. The smoker thinks he has the right to cause everyone around him to smell like he does. The smoker thinks he has the right to pass on to others a measure of the health risk he is taking.

Will God justify such harm to our bodies? "What? Know ye not that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19, 20). "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."