As Christians, we are taught to live and walk according to the Words of God and by Faith.

Let’s admit it, not all Christians are practicing Christians. This is the same even in any denomination or religion, we can say that there are people who do not practice what they actually believe. They seldom practice and only utter with their lips, but their actions are far from what they believe. There are people who are very keen or fanatical, but there are people who are also very relax in their practices.

God does not force us to do His will and commandments. He gave us the free will to choose between good and evil, but advised us to choose good over evil so that we may live.   Before, there was this promise to the people of God if they choose LIFE, God will surely bless them. “Deu 30:19  I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. Deu 30:20  Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

God will remain God even if we don’t follow His statutes and commandments. But if we choose not to obey Him, there will be bad consequences. “In every action we take in our lives, there is an equal or opposite reaction.” This is according to Newton’s law of motion. This is true in anything we do. We reap what we sow. Apostle Paul says, “Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant.” (Galatians 6:7)

As an example, if we don’t take care of our human bodies, eventually, the reactions will be manifested. It was proven medically and scientifically, those who are very careless with their health die at a very young age. Before they die, they suffer from cruel diseases. Most sufferings are from sicknesses or diseases and these are commonly afflicted due to the bad habits done by most people.

In this topic, we answer questions about smoking and drinking. What does the Bible tell about smoking and drinking? Smoking and Drinking are two common habits considered to be addictive.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is not in itself a sin. The Bible teaches that it’s the misuse of alcohol that is a sin. Apostle Paul mentioned this in His letters.

Rom 13:13  Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy.

Gal 5:21  they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.

Apostle Peter also wrote about drunkenness in His letter. 1Pe 4:3  You have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols.

Apostle Paul emphasizes drunkenness can keep a person out of the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21)

However, the Bible teaches that there is a moderate use of wine. One of the most telling scriptures on the subject is Judges 9:13, which says that wine “cheers both God and men.” Psalm 104 presents alcohol use in a positive light: “And wine that makes glad the heart of man” (verse 15). It’s also noteworthy that Christ’s first public miracle was turning water into a fine quality wine (John 2).

Christ instructed Christians to take wine as part of the Passover service (1 Corinthians 11:25-26). In the context of this instruction, Paul corrected some of the Corinthian Church for getting drunk at the Passover (1 Corinthians 11:21). Clearly, they were using fermented wine in the observance of the Passover, or it would not have been possible for them to become inebriated.

Of course, people with a natural liking toward alcoholism should not use alcohol, even in moderation. Those under the legal drinking age should obey the law, and no one should feel compelled or forced to drink on social occasions. But most people can learn to avoid the abuses so prevalent in society today and can properly use alcoholic beverages in moderation if they desire.

What about smoking? Literally, the King James version of the Bible mentioned smoking in its five verses, but none of these verses mentioned about tobacco smoking. (Genesis 15:17 ; Exodus 20:18; Isaiah 7:4; Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20)  The Bible is typically silent when it comes to tobacco smoking.

But when we study the Bible, Apostle John mentioned about how important is our health to God. John’s prayer is included in the Bible because it also reflects God’s desire for us. 3Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. So it is really important to watch whats best for our health. Any form of bad habit that may endanger our health should not be a part of our lives.

What is the reason for this? Why does God wants us to be healthy?

God gave Israel many laws and instructions concerning health and safety, but these were all given to them because God made a promise that they will become a strong and a huge nation. However, these laws were not commonly given to Christians. But this doesn’t mean that we can do things that can be hazardous to our health. A healthy person can do more for others and for God. We can substitute healthy habits—like exercise and positive, productive pastimes—for the old bad habits.

Apostle Paul advised Christians to be free from anything that enslave them, especially from sins.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness… But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6: 18-20,22)

The Bible stresses true Christian liberty. The more free a person is, the better he or she can serve God and build godly character. Addiction is enslavement. The only good enslavement is being voluntary “slaves to God.” Enslavement to anything else comes between us and God. We can only be successful in serving God when our desire to please Him becomes stronger than these physical cravings.

Make it our urgent goal to quit smoking. Make a plan and commit ourselves to it. Let’s not think in terms of losing something, instead think of all that we are gaining. Make the goal to stop smoking a part of the larger goal of becoming a really healthy, happy, energetic person by steadily making improvements in our nutrition, exercise, sleep, peace of mind while serving God.

… and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4: 7-8)

The Bible stresses true Christian liberty. The more free a person is, the better he or she can serve God and build godly character. Addiction is enslavement. The only good enslavement is being voluntary “slaves to God.” Enslavement to anything else comes between us and God. It’s extremely important to conquer both the chemical and psychological aspects of a smoking addiction. Keep this key in mind: Success will begin when our desire to please God becomes stronger than the craving to smoke.