Smoking
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Definition and Overview:
Smoking refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or a similar substance. While smoking as a practice is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the principles found in Scripture can be applied to understand a biblical perspective on the matter. Smoking, particularly of tobacco, became widespread in the modern era and is often associated with health risks and addiction.

Biblical Principles Related to Smoking:

1. Stewardship of the Body:
The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , it states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage suggests that believers are called to honor God with their bodies, which includes making choices that promote health and well-being.

2. Addiction and Self-Control:
Smoking is often associated with addiction, which can be seen as contrary to the biblical call for self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." The Bible encourages believers to exercise self-control and avoid being mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

3. Impact on Others:
The Bible emphasizes love and consideration for others. Romans 14:13 advises, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." Smoking can have harmful effects on others through secondhand smoke, and believers are encouraged to act in ways that do not harm or hinder others.

4. Wisdom and Discernment:
Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." Applying wisdom and discernment to lifestyle choices, including smoking, is a biblical principle. Understanding the health risks associated with smoking can guide believers in making wise decisions.

5. Holiness and Purity:
The call to holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Engaging in practices that harm the body or lead to addiction may be seen as inconsistent with the pursuit of holiness.

Historical Context and Cultural Considerations:
While the Bible does not mention smoking explicitly, the cultural and historical context of biblical times did not include tobacco use as it is known today. Tobacco was introduced to Europe in the late 15th century and became widespread in the centuries that followed. The absence of direct references to smoking in Scripture requires believers to apply biblical principles to modern practices.

Health and Ethical Implications:
Modern medical research has established the health risks associated with smoking, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular issues. From a biblical perspective, the ethical implications of knowingly engaging in a harmful practice can be considered in light of the command to love oneself and others.

Conclusion:
While smoking is not directly addressed in the Bible, the principles of stewardship, self-control, love for others, wisdom, and holiness provide a framework for evaluating the practice. Believers are encouraged to consider these principles when making decisions about smoking and to seek guidance from Scripture and the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 10:13
There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Smoke.

2. (a. & n.) from Smoke.

Greek
2370. thumiao -- to burn incense
... burn incense. From a derivative of thuo (in the sense of smoking); to fumigate,
ie Offer aromatic fumes -- burn incense. see GREEK thuo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2370.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
6226. ashen -- smoking
... 6225, 6226. ashen. 6227 . smoking. Transliteration: ashen Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-shane') Short Definition: smoking. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6226.htm - 6k

953b. Bor Ashan -- "smoking pit," a place in Judah
Bor Ashan. 953a, 953b. Bor Ashan. 954 . "smoking pit," a place in Judah.
Transliteration: Bor Ashan Short Definition: Bor-ashan. ...
/hebrew/953b.htm - 5k

3544. keheh -- dim, dull, faint
... somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking. From kahah; feeble, obscure --
somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking. see HEBREW kahah. ...
/hebrew/3544.htm - 6k

7002. qitter -- incense
... Word Origin from the same as qitor Definition incense NASB Word Usage smoking
sacrifices (1). incense. From qatar; perfume -- incense. see HEBREW qatar. ...
/hebrew/7002.htm - 6k

6227. ashan -- smoke
... Short Definition: smoke. Word Origin from an unused word Definition smoke
NASB Word Usage smoke (24), smoking (1). smoke. From ashan ...
/hebrew/6227.htm - 6k

Library

Tobacco.
... A small quantity of tobacco received into the system by smoking, chewing, or snuffing
is carried through the circulation to the skin, lungs, liver, kidneys ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/i tobacco.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... "And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking
furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... 19 He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the
streets.20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... CHRIST THE ARRESTER OF INCIPIENT EVIL AND THE NOURISHER OF INCIPIENT GOOD. 'A bruised
reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

Strength in the Weak.
... "He is Faithful that Promised." "A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking
flax shall He not quench.""Matthew 12:20. Strength in the Weak. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/17th day strength in the.htm

The Story of an Opium Smoker
... village of Southern Springs. He came from a once wealthy clan, now reduced
through opium smoking to comparative poverty. He had not ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter x the story of.htm

The Three Fates
... There was a boy opposite me in the smoking-car who wanted to appear very smart and
manly. He was smoking a cigar and looking very much traveled. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/the three fates.htm

Temperance and the Teen Age
... Cigarette smoking is bad for anybody. It harms the growing tissue, dulls the conscience,
stunts the growth, and steals the brainpower of growing boys. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xvii temperance and the teen.htm

Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench,
till he send forth judgment unto victory""Matthew 12:20. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/sweet comfort for feeble saints.htm

In the Sod Cellar
... John, being not fully warned of the dreadful consequences of using tobacco, and
yet determined to become a man, kept on smoking until he so accustomed his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter ii in the sod.htm

Thesaurus
Smoking (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Smoking (9 Occurrences). ... He won't quench a smoking flax,
until he leads justice to victory. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/smoking.htm - 9k

Smoke (98 Occurrences)
... mist. 3. (n.) Anything unsubstantial, as idle talk. 4. (n.) The act of smoking,
esp. of smoking tobacco; as, to have a smoke. 5. (n ...
/s/smoke.htm - 39k

Smoldering (4 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:20 a bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench,
till he may put forth judgment to victory, (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/smoldering.htm - 7k

Shaking (162 Occurrences)
... Exodus 19:18 And all the mountain of Sinai was smoking, for the Lord had come down
on it in fire: and the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a great burning ...
/s/shaking.htm - 35k

Flax (11 Occurrences)
... Flax (11 Occurrences). Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench
a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) ...
/f/flax.htm - 13k

Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... spirits of the men of Judah, that Isaiah was commissioned by the Lord to assure
them that the schemes of "these two tails of smoking firebrands" (Isaiah 7:4 ...
/r/rezin.htm - 13k

Furnace (35 Occurrences)
... When it was heated by a fire made within, the dough was spread over the heated surface,
and thus was baked. "A smoking furnace and a burning lamp" (Genesis 15 ...
/f/furnace.htm - 22k

Quench (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a smoking flax, until
he leads justice to victory. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/q/quench.htm - 12k

Victory (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a smoking flax, until
he leads justice to victory. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/victory.htm - 27k

Burning (415 Occurrences)
... Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark,
behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces ...
/b/burning.htm - 42k

Resources
What is the Christian view of smoking? Is smoking a sin? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Christian who is addicted to smoking. How can I quit? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the smoking flax He will not quench” in Matthew 12:20? | GotQuestions.org

Smoking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Smoking (9 Occurrences)

Matthew 12:20
He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Genesis 15:17
It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 19:18
And all the mountain of Sinai was smoking, for the Lord had come down on it in fire: and the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a great burning; and all the mountain was shaking.
(BBE)

Exodus 20:18
All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 29:23
And that all the land is a salt and smoking waste, not planted or giving fruit or clothed with grass, but wasted like Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, on which the Lord sent destruction in the heat of his wrath:
(BBE)

Psalms 74:1
<Maschil. Of Asaph.> Of God, why have you put us away from you for ever? why is the fire of your wrath smoking against the sheep who are your care?
(BBE)

Isaiah 7:4
Tell him,'Be careful, and keep calm. Don't be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Jeremiah 44:21
The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, didn't Yahweh remember them, and didn't it come into his mind?
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Smoking

Smoking Marijuana

Related Terms

Smoke (98 Occurrences)

Smoldering (4 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Flax (11 Occurrences)

Rezin (11 Occurrences)

Furnace (35 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Victory (71 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lightnings (17 Occurrences)

Won't (144 Occurrences)

Fire-wood (4 Occurrences)

Forswear (1 Occurrence)

Flaming (40 Occurrences)

Firewood (4 Occurrences)

Flashes (16 Occurrences)

Flames (54 Occurrences)

Fire-brands (3 Occurrences)

Firebrands (4 Occurrences)

Faint-hearted (7 Occurrences)

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)

Thick (129 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Trembled (43 Occurrences)

Tails (4 Occurrences)

Torch (6 Occurrences)

Thunderings (6 Occurrences)

Torches (18 Occurrences)

Till (774 Occurrences)

Ten (234 Occurrences)

Tail (16 Occurrences)

Remali'ah (13 Occurrences)

Remaliah (13 Occurrences)

Marriagefeasts

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Marriage-feasts (6 Occurrences)

Pipe (13 Occurrences)

Pot (46 Occurrences)

Blazing (27 Occurrences)

Blackness (13 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Brands (7 Occurrences)

Battered (3 Occurrences)

Bruised (36 Occurrences)

Calm (18 Occurrences)

Chorashan (1 Occurrence)

Chor-ashan (1 Occurrence)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Stumps (2 Occurrences)

Smoketh (1 Occurrence)

Smolder (2 Occurrences)

Stubs (1 Occurrence)

Snuff (6 Occurrences)

Fierceness (33 Occurrences)

Wasted (106 Occurrences)

Maschil (26 Occurrences)

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Afar (98 Occurrences)

Lightning (49 Occurrences)

Perceived (57 Occurrences)

Voices (76 Occurrences)

Bring (1372 Occurrences)

Noise (126 Occurrences)

Commandments (181 Occurrences)

Trumpet (74 Occurrences)

Thunder (48 Occurrences)

Pieces (209 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Forth (1639 Occurrences)

Watching (111 Occurrences)

Reed (41 Occurrences)

Removed (294 Occurrences)

Planted (105 Occurrences)

Distance (75 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Move (113 Occurrences)

Bodies (144 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Smoketh
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