Q. My question is about Christians who still smoke cigarettes, cigars, etc. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 it says, ” Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is Holy, which temple ye are.” I am curious to know if I and my other Christian brothers and sisters are still smoking when the Rapture happens, will God destroy us, or leave us behind? What is your take on this scripture?
A. In the verses prior to 1 Cor. 3:16-17 Paul was explaining the bema seat judgment, where the quality of a believer’s earthly works will be evaluated. He said even if all of our works are burned up in the fire we will still be saved (1 Cor. 3:10-15). Then, without changing the subject, he reminded us that we are God’s temple where the Holy Spirit dwells, and if anyone defiles (destroys) us God will destroy him. (He used the same Greek word for both defile and destroy.) This tells me 1 Cor. 3: 16-17 go with 1 Cor. 3:10-15.
Therefore, I think he was saying it would be impossible for us to be destroyed at the judgment, even if we have no good works, because God sees us as His Temple and therefore sacred. If God destroyed us, He would have to destroy Himself.
Also, if He destroyed the smokers, He would have to destroy the drinkers, the over eaters, those who can’t control their anger, and those who neglect their health in other ways. Almost all of us are guilty of some kind of destructive behavior.
Finally, the Bible is clear that we’re saved because of what we believe, not because of how we behave, and every believer will go in the rapture.
As a former smoker I can testify that the quality of your life will vastly improve when you stop smoking. But as a Bible teacher I can testify that if you’re a born again believer you’ll go in the rapture even if you don’t quit.
http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/will-god-destroy-smokers/
Fair use for educational and discussion purposes ~
“You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold.” — Psalm 68:13
“O that I had wings like a dove then I would fly away and be at rest.”

