So to be saved we must accept that Jesus had to come from Heaven to become a human and die a death that would make up for all the sins of mankind. He could do this because he created this world. By his death we are freed from the penalty of death, but by his life we then live a life free from the slavery or bondage to sin. (Romans 6 and 7) This pardon at baptism justifies or makes right our past sinful life, but from the moment we are baptized we then must continually attempt to obey the Law and if we fail we must then ask for forgiveness, pick ourselves up and keep trying. In the past if we thought smoking or drinking to excess was OK, then after we have been baptized and made the vow to Jesus that we would turn our lives around (repent) and start thinking the way Jesus would have us think, we then become new in Jesus Christ. We understand that smoking is harmful to us and others and excessive drinking is as well. What do we do next?

We know that we must do something to please the Godhead and this can only be done by faith or belief that they exist and that they will reward us either positively or negatively at some future time. We must understand that humans are sinners by nature and then stand aside and allow Jesus to live his life in us. Jesus was sinless and he will also make us more sinless by nature each day we permit him to discipline us. When the Father looks down on those who have made this vow at baptism he sees his only begotten Son's blood covering our weaknesses and sins and mistakes. Then we must continue to live our lives by not breaking his immutable Law again. This character building is a process and will not be completed until we achieve our new spirit bodies at the resurrection. This is not a permission granted to continue to live either outside of the Law or disobey what the Law defines for us as sin, for if it were it would be licentiousness and Paul emphatically rejects that notion. (Romans 6)

The bottom line is that we of ourselves can NOT do anything to make ourselves right before God. Feeling guilty does not do it nor will any human act of goodness. We need the gift of grace that Jesus already paid for our misdeeds. We merely need to accept it and continue to struggle against our own natures as Paul said in Romans 7. None of us are worthy but the Godhead loved us before we were even born this way and looks at us from a perspective of the finished product. There is a song that says something like "I may be a lump of coal now but I will be a diamond someday" (Malachi 3:17). Putting ourselves down merely defeats our own spiritual faith. Satan our enemy loves this. God does not put us down but understands how weak we are and that is why one of them came here to experience our suffering and pains and temptations. (Hebrews 4:15)

You have already stated in your question that you love God and you do not WANT to smoke. So this tells me that you want to obey all the Laws written in the Inspired Word, the Holy Bible. This is the right attitude but it must go one step beyond just wanting to obey. (James 1:21-27)

Let's discuss smoking in particular. Can we smoke cigarettes, chew tobacco, or sniff snuff, or cocaine or swallow pills or inject addicting material into our own bodies and think this is OK with God? No! ( 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19)

Scripture tells us that we are the spiritual temple of Jesus the Christ and God the Father. If we are a temple, then just think at the way the physical temple was kept clean by the Levites in order to be presentable to the Godhead. God is pure. Even Moses ( Exodus 3:5, Acts 7:33) had to remove his shoes because the ground where he stood was in the presence of God and it was holy or pure. ( 2 Chronicles 29:16) Only God can make something holy or pure and that is because of his presence in it. So from that standpoint alone we can't be smokers and part of the body of Jesus Christ. We have to stop these bad habits and Jesus will help us to do this if we ask and step aside and let him work. Smoking is no more or less problematic than a mouth that utters curses, or lies or gossips about his or her neighbor or being a hypocrite or any other human weakness, but it needs to stop.

The next point is what are we doing to our neighbor when we subject him or her to our bad habit? Is this treating one's neighbor rightly? No! (Galatians 5:14, Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 7:12) I personally can attest to this one. Many smokers argue and say, "Well I am only hurting me so why should you get upset?" I have never smoked a cigarette in my entire 59 years of existence on this earth but was forced to live in the same house as my father who smoked heartily and did so openly in his home which he ruled. I went to nurses' school after high school and was ridiculed severely for being the only one of 92 girls who would NOT pick up the habit! It has only been in the last 5-10 years that nonsmokers have been somewhat liberated, at least in public places. I am the one who has developed asthma and other allergic reactions due to having so much smoke to inhale over the years. So my health is compromised by what others do around me. In this instance it is not my sin that needs to be repented of but others'.

When we sin and disobey those Laws that God said were good and pure and would benefit mankind, we not only hurt ourselves but others as well. ( Psalm 119, especially verse 39, but read the whole chapter and see what David thought of God's Ways.) Jesus' sacrifice may pay for our disobedience in the past but we must continually ask his forgiveness every day forward from baptism when we first understood how much he loves us until the day we die this first physical death or until Jesus returns to earth. (Revelation 22:20, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13 and 2 Timothy 2:12). Being saved is contingent upon how well we endure until the end.

As we allow Jesus to rule our lives, our attitude must be willing to obey so that we may grow up in Him until we have subjected all of our thinking and ways to become like him. ( 2 Corinthians 10:5). So being saved is not just at the moment of baptism but it is a process that continues throughout our lives.

One of the stipulations that Jesus made while he was here on this earth is that if we are not able to pick up these burdens or crosses we are not worthy of him. But he also promises that when we obey him our burdens will be light because he has already carried them out and defeated the problems which come from Satan in the first place. (Matthew 11:30) Jesus has promised to help you find ways to break this bad habit.

From a purely physical standpoint I can understand how difficult it is to break any addicting habit. The tobacco companies have finally been held accountable for generations of addicted folks but this is only a small drop in a big ocean of problems caused by their callousness and greed. The media both big screen and TV have glorified this life style as they have with other behaviors that are not godly. This all must change and that can't happen until Satan and his demons are put away. (Revelation 20:1)

Let me suggest that you visit your doctor and see if he will prescribe some medicinal helps such as patches or pills to gradually reduce your body's need. Then to break a bad habit we must replace it with a good habit. It takes at least twenty repetitions to produce a habit and then we do things automatically. If the act of removing a cigarette from a pack, lighting it, and holding it in your mouth or fingers needs to be re-habituated psychologically then you will have to find a suitable substitute. Sometimes chewing gum works, and I expect there are many more if you ask those who have quit to tell you what helps them. You might need the help of a good support group who are also struggling to quit this behavior. Your doctor and his/her office staff could help you locate these groups and give you any other help you might need. Don't be afraid to ask as this is part of their job.

But when it is all said and done, it comes right down to why you started smoking in the first place. Was peer pressure so great and your need to be accepted absolutely necessary? This is one of the more common causes. Or perhaps you thought it tasted good, or were you trying to make a rebellious statement to your parents? Only you can evaluate the whys and then once God has opened your eyes to face these hidden bogey men then you can deal with the physical and psychological manifestations. You see when God cleans us with fuller's or laundry or lye soap (Malachi 3:2) or allows us to experience these painful things we then can be purified to become like them. There is no other effective method to reinforce the need to obey them in all things. This Adam and Eve did not do but we can through Jesus the Christ in us.

And as a last reminder let me suggest one other sin that needs to be reevaluated. The fourth commandment was not put there to ignore. You might find the story of the manna interesting to understand which day is God's feast day that by his presence is made a holy day called the weekly Sabbath. (Exodus 16:22-31) The number of days in each week has never changed.

There are several papers on this site which can help reinforce the Sabbath Commandment.

Just remember that you are setting an example of the way God wants life to be for your students and your students will certainly pick up on any hypocrisy they see. It is difficult to teach others what we are still learning. I certainly do not have it all down either and it is difficult to realize that little ones do what you do right not what you say is right. I hope this helps you to love yourself enough as God does to want to really quit and be successful in doing so. May God bless your studies and grant you Their Healing Grace.

Other Recommended Bible Study Materials:

• What does the Bible say about using marijuana or pot?
• Map of Apostle Paul's First Missionary Journey
• What does the Bible say about drinking wine or alcohol?

Answer Given By: Charlotte Grantham