Remedy for Tobacco

Question:

Is there any known remedy to break anyone from using tobacco, and is it a sin to use it? If so, I would be glad to be convinced, for I am a slave to it.

Answer:

The brother has already answered the last question, “Is it a sin?” when he says, “I am a slave to it.” (See 2 Peter 2:19; cf. John 8:34). God calls man to liberty. Even the enslaved person, if he responds to God’s call, “is the Lord’s freedman.” (See 1 Corinthians 7:22). He calls us to one service —His own. He has bought us with a price, even His precious blood; therefore, we are Christ’s bondservants. But where has Christ told us to use tobacco? Think of these things:

1. Tobacco is a filthy habit, as its most inveterate users will admit. But God encourages us to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
2. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). But physicians—the best of them—tell us that some of the worst forms of disease of heart, eye, and brain come from the use of tobacco; it poisons the one who uses it, and his breath and exhalations poison his wife and children who are closely associated with him. Of course, this defaces, defiles, mars, and destroys the temple of God, but God says, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Is it right to indulge in any habit which will destroy God’s temple? And if it is not right, is it not a sin? (See 1 John 5:17).
3. Tobacco is a narcotic, benumbing all the finer sensibilities of soul and body. Is it glorifying God to use it? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Is it to God’s glory to defile His temple, to destroy His temple, to unfit ourselves for His service?
4. Then think of the expense to you every year. How will you give an account to God of how you have used this means? Much more might be said.

As to the first question: “Is there a remedy?”— There is. Some men are strong enough, or the habit weak enough so that they can quit themselves. Some have been helped to break the habit by using prescription drugs. But these are uncertain cures. There is one infallible remedy, Jesus Christ. If He can not save you from tobacco, He can not save you at all. But He can save. He was anointed “to preach deliverance to the captives” and “to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4:18). “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS [Saviour]: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). First of all in His name and for His sake quit it, cold turkey; whatever suffering it may cost, whatever nerve torture, quit it. Even though you think you will die, stop it. Be willing to die. Then ask by faith— simple, childlike faith— for Him, the tender, loving, mighty Saviour, to help you, to give you victory. Tell Him that if He wants you to fight for it and suffer the temptation, you are willing to fight if He will provide you with strength. And then believe that He does give power. Praise Him for it. If the temptation comes hard, pray. Bring Him in all His glory and power before you, as He is. If you could, with your natural eyes, see Him looking upon you, you would not yield. Know that He is doing it, and stand in the strength of His presence. If you have no power, ask Him to take away the appetite, the desire. He has done it in many cases. Remember that the trusting child of God’s strength is in their weakness. (See 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Then co-operate with Him. Do not work too hard, yet keep busy. Take hot baths, and sweat the tobacco out of your system. Drink plenty of water. Eat good, nourishing food. Get all the sleep you can. Do not use strong condiments, such as pepper, etc. All strong, stimulating foods increase the demand for tobacco poison. Keep away from all associations which would drag you down. Put away tobacco in all its forms forever. Enlist in the war to win if you die, you will never die with Him. Thousands have conquered who were once enslaved, and they would not return to its bondage for all the world. You can conquer in Christ. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24).