Perhaps the most common addictive behavior in the world is tobacco use. Worldwide, 2 billion adults smoke (about a third of all adults). In addition, 2,800 new addicts are added to the ranks of daily smokers every day.
Is there a reason Christians don't smoke? Is it wrong to smoke?
– Is smoking a sin?
Although smoking is now widely known thanks to educational campaigns, almost one in three people still smoke. According to the World Health Organization, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death. Tobacco use causes one in five deaths in the United States and nearly one in ten deaths worldwide. Intentionally harming our bodies contradicts 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says that this is the temple of God, bought with the blood of Christ. We are sinful when we use our bodies in ways other than to glorify God. But is this the only scripture that comes to mind when discussing smoking?
- 1 Corinthians 6:12b:
This is a challenging verse because it suggests that continuing an addictive habit while under the influence of an addictive drug is also wrong. Severity of withdrawal symptoms, motivation to continue using, amount of drug needed to achieve the same effect, difficulty quitting, and degree of intoxication are some of the characteristics used to assess addiction. Although studies vary, nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco, is the most addictive substance, often competing for second place with alcohol, caffeine, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine:
- 1 Corinthians 10:13:
People don't start smoking to get sick, spend a lot of money, or smell bad. Most smokers start smoking in their teens. Most also start because of peer pressure – they prefer the opinion of their friends to the beliefs of the Bible. They may also be more interested in projecting a rebellious and hipster image than discovering their identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are encouraged to avoid what the world thinks of us because it is a powerful idol.
- 1 Corinthians 10:24:
According to the American Cancer Society, diseases caused by secondhand smoke kill 50,000 people in this country each year. About 1 million children develop asthma as a result of secondhand smoke and as many as 300,000 children develop lung infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. These are the victims the smoker is most likely to care about because of their proximity. It is our duty to love one another. But smoking harms those around you, like many other evils:
The Bible is not meant to be a guide to right and wrong behavior. We have the ability to choose the most effective way to love God and others because of God's living, living Word. Although the Bible does not specifically mention smoking, it is clear from many scriptures that smoking is against God's will. In this sense, smoking is sinful.
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