SmokingSmoking

Smoking Is A ProblemSmoking Is A Problem

• Common among men & women• Restrictions in public places• Warning labels on packages• Kick the habit “kits”• Age restriction on buying tobacco

Is There Anything Wrong WithIs There Anything Wrong WithSmoking?Smoking?Is it a sin?Is it a sin?

The Question Is:The Question Is:

SmokingSmoking

I. It Is Harmful To The Body

It Harms The Body

Smoking Is Harmful To The BodySmoking Is Harmful To The Body

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

Every time a cigarette is smoked, it is like putting a clamp on the blood vessels. It has been shown that smoking even one cigarette will constrict the arteries, veins, and capillaries, and to that extent will slow down the blood circulation in all parts of the body, including the brain.

- Alton Oshsner, MD

International Society of Surgery

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

“Cigarette smoking is now as important cause of death as the great past epidemics of typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis.”

- British Royal College of Physicians

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

“The good news is that we know the cause of at least 80% of the cases of this leading cancer killer -- cigarettes.”

- Harvard Medical School Health Letter

(Vol. III, No. 6, April 1978)

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

“Cigarette smoking is a major cause of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, heart disease….Just one cigarette speeds up your heart beat, increases your blood pressure, upsets the flow of blood and air in your lungs, causes a drop in the skin temperature of your fingers and toes.”

- American Lung Association

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

“Nicotine raises the smoker’s blood pressure and speeds up his pulse.”

- Dr. Authur H. Cain

“Smoking one pack or more a day will shorten one’s life on the average by 12 years.”

- Curtis Torno, MD (Christian)

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

“Smoking is the predominant cause of bronchitis and emphysema.”

- T. Mark Loyd, MD (Christian)

“Both Nicotine and carbon monoxide contribute significant increase in heart attacks and in sudden death from coronary heart disease in cigarette smokers.”

- Dr. Wilbert S. Aronow

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

Survey of 10,000 physicians:

Question: “Do you consider cigarette smoking as hazardous to your health?”

98% - Yes!

2% - Weren’t sure

0% - No!

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

Warning Labels on Package:

- “The Surgeon General has determined that cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health.”

- May cause birth defects.

Health & Life Insurance Rates: Higher for smokers

Evidence of the Harmof Smoking

Nicotine is a drug / poison

Dipping & Chewing

Mouth & Gum Cancer

It Harms The Body

Smoking Is Harmful To The BodySmoking Is Harmful To The Body It Is Sinful To Deliberately Harm The It Is Sinful To Deliberately Harm The

BodyBody

Must Not Harm The Body

1 Cor 6:19-2019 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

• Body is not yours - but God’s

• Have not right to abuse your body (context)

• Wrong to destroy the temple (cf. 1 Cor. 3:17)

• If not true - Then not wrong to use hard drugs!

SmokingSmoking

I. It Is Harmful To The Body

II. It Is Addictive

It Is Addictive

Smoking is addictiveSmoking is addictive

• Hard to quit. Many try and fail.

• Can’t go a day without it. Many - an hour.

• What if same true of cornbread?

2 Peter 2:192 Peter 2:19

It Is Addictive

Smoking is addictiveSmoking is addictive An addiction is a sinAn addiction is a sin

1. 1 Cor. 6:12 - “to nothing will I become enslaved” (Weymouth)

2. Violates Temperance / Self Control - 2 Pet. 1:5-10

It Is Addictive

Smoking is addictiveSmoking is addictive An addiction is a sinAn addiction is a sin An addiction is not a habitAn addiction is not a habit

• Habits can be goodHabits can be good• Even bad habits - not sinfulEven bad habits - not sinful• Addiction = DependenceAddiction = Dependence

SmokingSmoking

I. It Is Harmful To The Body

II. It Is Addictive

III. Affects Other People

It Affects Others

Smoking affects others around the Smoking affects others around the

smokersmoker• Smoke off the burning end - just as dangerousSmoke off the burning end - just as dangerous

• Harms the family - Children, mate, etc.Harms the family - Children, mate, etc.

• Affects one’s breathing, voice, etc.Affects one’s breathing, voice, etc.

• Smell gets in other’s hair, clothes, car, etc. Smell gets in other’s hair, clothes, car, etc.

It Affects Others

Smoking affects others around the Smoking affects others around the

smokersmoker Must treat others respectfullyMust treat others respectfully• Matt. 7:12Matt. 7:12

• Phil. 2:4Phil. 2:4

SmokingSmoking

I. It Is Harmful To The Body

II. It Is Addictive

III. Affects Other People

IV. Arguments To Justify Smoking

Arguments Used To Justify

““Some doctors say it is alright”Some doctors say it is alright” ““Coffee, cokes, candy, etc. just as bad.”Coffee, cokes, candy, etc. just as bad.” ““Matt. 15:11 - What goes into the mouth Matt. 15:11 - What goes into the mouth

doesn’t defile the man.”doesn’t defile the man.” “ “It is my body to do as I please.”It is my body to do as I please.” “ “God made tobacco. So, it is good.”God made tobacco. So, it is good.” “ “Tit. 1:5 - all things are pure.”Tit. 1:5 - all things are pure.” ““Rom. 14:14 - nothing is unclean.”Rom. 14:14 - nothing is unclean.”

SmokingSmoking

I. It Is Harmful To The Body

II. It Is Addictive

III. Affects Other People

IV. Arguments To Justify Smoking

Quitting• Can quit! - If not, no self control!

• Others have quit - Never regretted it

• First, admit it is wrong - then quit!