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 ~

I would hate to think that C.S. Lewis and others who took up the habit were excluded. For the record, I never tried it.

Hello everyone. I've been following this site for awhile now and figured its about time i'd join in on some of the conversations.

I like the question being asked in this topic, but the answer shouldn't be hard to figure out. For one, when the rapture happens, there will be Christians who will be in the middle of committing a sin and others who have not yet asked for forgiveness of the sins that have committed that day. If we conclude that smokers would be left behind, then all of us probably would.

We all commit unseen and unknown sins because we are human and not fully able to grasp the complete wisdom of God. If you have acceoted Christ as your savior then you are saved, and nobody can take you out of the hand of Christ not even yourself. If you try running away from God after accepting Christ, then you're in for a crappy ride. He will eventually bring you back to the flock.

In regards to keeping our temple clean, well let's be honest, there are many things that physically harm us. People who take medications harm their body, people who drink any amount of wine or beer or liquor harm their body, people who eat fast food harm their body, there are many things that harm our body that are out of our control too. I've done all these thing and I'm still saved and looking forward tp his return.

I used to smoke and thank God he answered that prayer to help me quit. The reason I quit was partly because of the harm to my body but moreso becuase I don't want to be addicted to anything but my Lord. If you are addicted to anything, it is as if you have put that vice on a pedestal above Christ. Would Christ rather us not to smoke? Of course. Will Christ ever forsake us? NEVER.

There is nothing a believer can do to be left behind. The rapture is the fulfillment of a promise to everyone that calls on the name of Christ. It is our blessed hope. It is when we get our new bodies. Our sins cannot keep us from Christ although it may keeps us out of fellowship with him. May the holy spirit continue to convict us of our sins and aid us in our preperation. Please don't judge others when it comes to things such as smoking. Don't look down on them due to their vices. We are all EQUALLY guilty as sinner's in God's eyes. Talk with them if possible, and pray always for them. Be encouraging to them and don't give the impression that God's love for them has changed due to their actions.

Christian, by definition, are people who have admitted that are wrong and have sin in their life. Sin is not dealt with completely once we are saved. We are all a work in progress and await the day when that work will be completed. Our ressurection/ratpure is that glorious day. Until then I pray that all you stay strong and continue to make progress.

BTW if you find someone that turns out to be a Christian and they smoke. Then give glory to God that that person is a Christian. That is the most important thing to be concerned about. Health is not even close to the salavation of ones soul. Important, yes, but compared to salvation, no way.

I forget to mention i'm sort of a ranter, that should have went up on top.

Thanks Needle and you were right in your post, it was because I started to get close to Christ and grow in faith that I felt convicted to start praying to quit even though I knew I didn't want to. My spirit knew, but my body didn't want to. But I prayed anyway.

I first switched over to an elctronic cigarette to help ween me off all the chemicals except for nicotine. Then I started to forget to bring it with me to work and one day I just realized I didn;t need it anymore. It was strange to say the least. The desire just disappeared and I could not help but give all credit to God for that.

A well known 19th century preacher was asked about his cigar habit. He said that he would quit when it got to be excessive. Then he responded, I only smoke one at time.

I heard one pastor say: though many smell like hell, doesn't mean they are going there.

Love & blessings...Tender Reed