Did anyone smoke in the Bible?
Introduction
The Bible did not mention the use of smoke by anyone.
The Holy Book is silent about the use or abuse of cigarettes, weed, or any other tobacco.
One of the claims of believers is that the Bible is a complete and perfect life’s manual that gives direction and instruction about every area of life.
One way the Bible teaches us lessons is through the struggles and victories of real people.
Their stories reveal God’s plan and purpose.
Their lives also serve as a guiding light, pointing present Christians toward the path that pleases God.
Because they are men of like passion as us today, their mistakes and other experiences let us understand what sins are not.
For example, David committed adultery. God’s response to this act proved that it was a grievous sin with significant, instant punishment.
The same thing applies to other sins clearly highlighted in the Bible.
However, what about activities considered sin but not mentioned in the Bible?
Is the Bible’s silence about those acts a license to engage in them?
Is smoking a sin?
These are valid and reasonable questions everyone serious about pleasing God should ask.
We answer these questions in this article. Keep reading.
Is smoking a sin?
Many people ask specific questions about the Bible’s position on certain habits that seem peculiar to this generation, especially not mentioned in the Bible. One such behavior is smoking.
Many smokers are caught in between the argument about whether the act is a sin or not.
It is even more difficult because the Bible is silent about it, unlike its close ally, alcohol.
The truth about smoking is that there’s no clear biblical rule in favor or against it. However, we can consider certain things in the Bible to reach a conclusion about the act.
We must ask questions and search our conscience when dealing with this.
The Bible says that God’s Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).
This statement implies that we do not have a special physical appearance that announces our sonship in Christ. However, God convinces us in our spirit that we have been justified and sanctified by Jesus’ blood.
Therefore, if we have God’s Spirit in us, it will speak to us.
It reveals the truth about what God feels about smoking a cigarette, weed, or pot.
The Holy Spirit can prick our hearts if we are going through the wrong path (Isaiah 30:21).
One crucial yet ignored question about smoking is what the law of your country or city says about it.
Many believers fail to differentiate illegality from godliness.
They seem to have skipped the portion of the Bible which says we must submit to authority.
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1).
Therefore, you are a sinner if you break any law prohibiting smoking in a nation, city, or space, like a gas station, airplane, etc.
Another thing we must consider when smoking is the concept of glorifying God.
To glorify God is to worship Him.
Now, our perspective about worshiping or glorifying God is mostly about lifting up holy hands when singing solemn songs. However, that is far from the truth. We can or should glorify God through everything we do daily.
We must also understand that we must continue doing things that will glorify God while avoiding those who do not.
For example, living holy and righteous glorifies God and draws people closer to God.
However, smoking really adds nothing to us. It does not express any form of worship.
The act does not attract people to Christianity because it is injurious to the smoker’s health and can affect people inhaling the smoke.
So they stay far away from you to protect themselves.
When God’s glory radiates, it attracts and does not repel. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
The issue of self-control
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)
A simple but profound truth is that what we cannot do without has become a master over us.
It has power over our choices and decisions.
We become slaves to such things, whether it is a person, an object, or a habit. They control our lives, and we cannot do without them.
An unhealthy attachment to substances like smoke is dangerous because it can lead to sin.
For example, a person who cannot live without smoking marijuana or cigarettes might exhaust their life savings consuming them.
They may later resort to stealing money to feed their addiction. They also become impatient and aggressive toward people when their bodies are craving smoke. 
As believers, we are supposed to have only one master. That is Jesus Christ. He should be in charge of our lives. And we must do everything to please Him.
One thing about our relationship with Him is that He does not oppress us as other vices or dangerous habits do. Instead, He loves us and gives us freedom. In fact, He sets us free from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 6:18).
Are you under the power of smoke? Can you survive a day without reacting?
If not, then you have work to do because you have surrendered your will to smoke.
Apostle Paul said some things are lawful but not helpful. An adult can smoke under the confines of specific laws. However, how does it help the body?
Those promote health or deplete it? Think about this.
Your body is God’s temple.
“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?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
If you asked somebody if they could light a smoke inside the church, they would probably say no, not in God’s presence! However, they would gladly smoke in their homes and other places.
So, does it mean that God is only inside the church? We often forget that the church is a building and God is omnipresent.
God is everywhere. So if we feel smoking in church dishonors God, then we should quit it because you dishonor Him even when you smoke in your garden or bathroom.
Another interesting truth is that God does not just live in the air but inside you.
You are His temple where He dwells. However, God only dwells in clean places.
Places sanctified and purified. He does not dwell in filthy places polluted by sin.
Weed, for example, can make you lose control of your mind.
It can make you hallucinate and do things you do not want. You fall into sin in that process and lose God’s presence.
Are you willing to take such a risk?
Many believe they can control the amount of smoke they inhale. However, how does one measure it?
Smoke might not be a sin, but it can facilitate sin.
Sin pollutes your heart, and sin separates you from God’s presence.
Do not murder
“You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
When you ask some people if smoking is a sin, they respond by saying, where is “thou shall not smoke” written in the Bible? There is no law explicitly prohibiting smoking. However, there is a law against killing.
Every life is precious before God. God cares for everyone, including sinners.
The Bible says He does not want the death of sinners but for them to repent. The purpose of sending Jesus to the world was to die for sinners, not the righteous.
The story of Cain and Abel portrays how much God cherishes life.
God was displeased by Cain’s action. However, He did not kill him for killing Abel. He only punished him.
Punishment is good because it gives room for repentance and restoration. Therefore, killing is a grievous sin.
However, suicide is also killing. And suicide is not only when we put a gun on our head and pull a trigger or jump off a high building.
Deliberately taking harmful substances that ultimately impact our health and kill us is also suicide. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and preventable death.
One of the most famous quotes in the world is, “Smokers are liable to die young.” Knowing this and engaging in it is walking in the path of committing murder.
Smoking also goes against God’s law that says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mark 12:31).
The danger of smoking, especially in public, is that you endanger the lives of people around, including non-smokers.
This set of people is called secondary smokers.
By just inhaling your smoke, they are at risk of developing the same disease as active smokers. We are to love others, not harm them.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.