What does the Bible say about smoking cigarettes?

     What does the Bible say about smoking cigarettes? Some say it’s okay and others say that the Bible condemns it. What’s the truth?

     While cigarettes are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, it is quite clear that as believers we should avoid them since we are not to pollute our bodies. This was the reason why Yahweh gave the dietary food laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Eating swine and other unclean meats that the Bible prohibits is a health concern, which science is now validating. The same would also be true for smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control, smoking causes more deaths than from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. There are also many side effects with smoking, including premature aging, psoriasis, thinner hair, scarring, tooth loss, cataracts, and skin cancer.

Beyond the obvious health concerns, there is also a spiritual aspect to this. Paul in 1Corinthians 3:16-17 states, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahweh, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of Yahweh, him shall Elohim destroy; for the temple of Yahweh is holy, which temple ye are.” As believers in the Messiah we represent Yahweh’s temple. For those who would destroy this temple, Paul states here that Yahweh will destroy them. We believe that smoking would fall under this category of destruction.

In the Old Testament Yahweh prohibited all “strange fire” with His worship. In one example of defiance, the two sons of Aaron lost their lives. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh,” Numbers 10:1-2.

Since we represent Yahweh’s temple today and are commanded to keep it free from pollutants, there is a spiritual parallel between the actions of Nadab and Abihu and smoking. When a person smokes, they run the risk of offering “strange fire” in their temple and offending Yahweh as the two sons of Aaron did in the Old Testament.

For these reasons, it’s YRM’s policy not to allow smoking on or within our facilities or to baptize those into Yahshua’s Name who are currently smoking.  If you are smoking, we encourage you to seek help and overcome this addictive and harmful habit. And as with many other things, prayer can be a great ally in conquering this enemy.

We hope this Q&A What does the Bible say about smoking cigarettes? Please check out our other Q&A’s!