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Is It A Sin To Drink And Smoke?

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Hi N____,

Anything that controls you other than Christ is idolatry and is a sin. If a person cannot resist drinking alcoholic beverages in excess, then that is an idol, and it is sinning to have any other god before God. If you cannot resist cigarettes, then those cigarettes are an idol and have come between you and God. The same is true of gluttony and playing video games and TV watching. Even working long hours to the detriment of one’s family can be an idol.
We are told to do all we do to glorify God.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We need both food and drink in order to serve God. So it is a matter of the heart. If we do what we do because it is needed to please God, then it certainly is not a sin. On the other hand, if we eat or drink just to be satisfying our lusts, then we are sinning in doing so.
There is no sin in drinking beer or wine in moderate amounts. If you cannot control yourself though, then don’t touch them. If you can control yourself while drinking moderately, then all objective dietitians agree that alcohol in moderation can be healthy, and the scriptures bear this out:

1Ti 5:23  Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Cigarettes, on the other hand, have no nourishing benefits and are harmful to our lungs. Above all, the smoke of cigarettes is offensive to nonsmokers, and we certainly cannot justify doing something that offends our brother.

I hope this is of some edification to you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike

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