Slow Suicide!

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"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him" (1 Cor 3:16,17)


Hardly a youth programme passes off without someone asking in the question-answer session, "Can Christians smoke?" Several young people start smoking just for the thrill of it. They feel that they enjoy their freedom and self-worth that way. But in course of time they become addicted to this habit and feel miserable. In the initial stages the smokers feel that they get a kick to think better and work better. But soon they realize their folly. Those who smoke to forget their worries are also disappointed.

Because smoking was not perhaps known in Biblical times, there's no specific reference to it in the Bible, unlike drinking. But the statutory warning in every cigarette packet is good enough:Smoking is injurious to health! This fact is proved worldwide. Even passive smoking is equally bad. The Government is banning smoking in public places. God desires that we stay healthy (3 Jn 2). How can He approve smoking? The last day of this month is observed as Anti-smoking Day all over the world!

Uninformed folks argue, "Jesus is the Saviour of our souls. Why should He bother about our eating or drinking or smoking?" But the Bible teaches that we must surrender our bodies also to Him (Rom 12:1). Apostle Paul challenged the lax lifestyle of the Christians in Corinth: "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?… You are bought at a price; therefore glorify God in yourbody and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor 6:15, 20).

Smokers are definitely under bondage. Smoking enslaves them. They obey every beck and call of the cigarettes. It is not God's will that His children are under any form of slavery (Jn 8:34). Through his personal testimony, apostle Paul has given us the principle of Christian living: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of anything" (1 Cor 6:12). The Bible admonishes us to abstain even from all "forms" of evil.

May be you are hooked to this habit. It's never too late for God to deliver you. When Christ delivers you, it's deliverance indeed (Jn 8:36). Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the Scriptures quoted above whenever you are tempted. You will be saved by remembering "what is written!" Also avoid the company of smokers. Bad company corrupts good manners. Have a dental appointment to clean up your stained teeth. Smile, Jesus loves you!

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