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Question: Do you feel that chewing tobacco or dipping snuff is
wrong?

Intro: The Bible does not specifically mention tobacco or its use. 
Therefore the question must be answered by the application of
principles that are contained in the Bible.

1. The use of tobacco is harmful to one's body. It has been linked
to coronary artery disease and cancer.  The apostle Paul taught
Christians that their bodies belong to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:19,20;
Rom. 12:1).

2. The use of tobacco is an offensive habit. Chewing and dipping
with appropriate spitting have an offensive smell as well as
appearance. Matt. 7:12.  

3. The tobacco habit is an expensive habit. Often users will spend
money on tobacco before groceries, medical care, or spiritual
matters receive consideration. (1 Cor.4:2- Stewards ought to use
wisely that which is intrusted to their care.)

4. Perhaps one of the most important considerations is that of
example. Can you picture Jesus dipping snuff or chewing tobacco?
The practice could easily "turn off" one from any thing you would
like to teach him about his soul. 1 Cor 10:32,33: "Give no occasion
of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of
God: even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine
own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved."

Conclu: David Lipscomb (Q & A, p. 693): "To me, it would be a sin
to use tobacco. I regard it as a filthy, useless habit that injures
many and does few any good...".

Question #50: If you chew tobacco, dip snuff or smoke cigarettes
will you go to hell?

Intro: The Bible does not specifically mention tobacco or its use. 
Therefore the question must be answered by the application of
principles that are contained in the Bible.

1. The use of tobacco is harmful to one's body. It has been linked
to coronary artery disease and cancer. Fifty years of medical
research provides overwhelming evidence that cigarette smoking is
a major cause of lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, chronic
bronchitis and emphysema. It has been linked to coronary artery
disease, oral cancer, peptic ulcer, carcinoma of the bladder and
cirrhosis of the liver. The death rate for smokers is about 70
percent higher than for non-smokers. The apostle Paul taught
Christians that their bodies belong to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:19,20;
Rom. 12:1).  Not only is smoking harmful to the health of the use,
but also to the health of those around him. Non-smokers often
suffer from the second hand smoke which they must inhale from the
smoker. It's not unusual to see a young mother smoking, with
several small children forced to breath her second hand cigarette
smoke. But the ad assures them, "You've come a long way, Baby."

2. The use of tobacco is an offensive habit. Smoking, chewing and
dipping with appropriate spitting have an offensive smell as well
as appearance. Matt. 7:12.  

3. The tobacco habit is an expensive habit. Often users will spend
money on tobacco before groceries, medical care, or spiritual
matters receive consideration. (1 Cor.4:2- Stewards ought to use
wisely that which is intrusted to their care.)

4. Perhaps one of the most important considerations is that of
example. The practice could easily "turn off" one from any thing
you would like to teach him about his soul. 1 Cor 10:32,33: "Give
no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the
church of God: even as I also please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may
be saved."  Paul said, "that ye may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
holding forth the word of life. A Christian who smokes cannot exert
the best influence on others. Even many who are not Christians
frown upon the use of tobacco. In that case a Christian who smokes
would definitely hurt his potential influence upon reaching that
non-Christian with the Gospel. (Rom.12:1,2).

5. Many times a decision can be made regarding right and wrong by
asking the question, What would Jesus do? Can you picture Jesus
smoking, dipping, or chewing as He invites all to come unto Him,
Come learn of me? "O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer; This is my
constant longing and prayer; Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's
treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to ward. O to be like Thee!
O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy
sweetness, come in thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my
heart."

Conclu: David Lipscomb (Q & A, p. 693): "To me, it would be a sin
to use tobacco. I regard it as a filthy, useless habit that injures
many and does few any good...".

(source consulted: Jimmy Thomas, Ask and the Bible Answers, p.87)


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