Is it Right for a Christian to Smoke?
by Michael J. Penfold
Is it right for a Christian to smoke, or to play the lottery, to watch movies, to follow sports, to play computer games or to be on social media?
You will search in vain for a Bible verse that directly addresses these items – and for a good reason. When God gave us His written revelation in the 66 books of the Bible between 1,500BC and 100AD, these things did not exist!
But what the Bible does do is give us numerous timeless principles by which we can decide whether or not to become involved in any of these things – no matter in what century, culture or continent we live.
It is tempting to make a judgment based on subjective considerations like:
“There’s no harm in it”
“Other Christians do it”
“I read an online article saying it’s OK”
But our only consideration must be “What does the Bible say?” So, test your question by the following 7 Biblical principles, and only then can you with a clear conscience take a safe step forward:
1. Is there any glory for God in it? (1 Cor 10:31)
2. Does it grieve the Holy Spirit? (Eph 4:30)
3. Is it a good use of my time? (Eph 5:16)
4. Does it please the Lord? (Heb 11:5)
5. Is it worldly? (1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4)
6. Is it a good example? (1 Tim 4:12)
7. What impression does it give to the world? (2 Sam 12:14, Titus 2:5)?
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