Who managed to quit smoking?

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Did you quit smoking?

  • Yes

    Votes: 8 44.4%
  • No, not yet

    Votes: 2 11.1%
  • Never started to smoke

    Votes: 8 44.4%

  • Total voters
    18
  • Poll closed .

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
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Can't really say I've thought much about it, to be honest. I've never smoked, so I've never had to deal with it. Have had plenty of other stuff to, though! Everyone has their own problems, own troubles, and it's easy to point to others and judge. Smoking for some, alcohol for others, food...sex...shopping....idols...you name it. And it I think we struggle in our "western" culture as some things are seen as more socially acceptable than others, and these things we sweep under the rug a bit.
I think, perhaps it comes down to this: God loves you, and probably wants you to care for your body...after all, we are the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. But, our sanctification and walk with God is something that progresses over many years. It can be painfully slow at times. I think we need to stop feeling such condemnation for ourselves and the things we fail in, and just start looking at Jesus more. The more we look at Jesus the more like him we become...and that's what leads to true transformation. That's the way we grow.
Thanks for your comments; and I know that some Christians feel it's obligatory to engage in guilt manipulation of smokers, but I don't see it. If one can quit, all well and good, but it's not wise to use absence of smoking as some supposed sort of gauge to spirituality. After all, great preachers such as C H Spurgeon smoked; and in the US before the Civil War it was very widespread for women to smoke pipes (yes, indeed) after church.
 

justbyfaith

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Can't really say I've thought much about it, to be honest. I've never smoked, so I've never had to deal with it. Have had plenty of other stuff to, though! Everyone has their own problems, own troubles, and it's easy to point to others and judge. Smoking for some, alcohol for others, food...sex...shopping....idols...you name it. And it I think we struggle in our "western" culture as some things are seen as more socially acceptable than others, and these things we sweep under the rug a bit.
I think, perhaps it comes down to this: God loves you, and probably wants you to care for your body...after all, we are the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. But, our sanctification and walk with God is something that progresses over many years. It can be painfully slow at times. I think we need to stop feeling such condemnation for ourselves and the things we fail in, and just start looking at Jesus more. The more we look at Jesus the more like him we become...and that's what leads to true transformation. That's the way we grow.
Amen, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
 
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farouk

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Jan 21, 2009
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I'm sure, from what I've heard;
Some never started smoking.
Some do not want to be called a Quitter.

I am curious if people find a difference in breathing IN, smoke from incense, smoke from a campfire, or smoke from tobacco.

God Bless,
Taken
PS: Taken:

Quitter in the smoking sense often carries a positive connotation.

Unless the person wants to keep smoking, that is. As many do.
 
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Taken

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PS: Taken:

Quitter in the smoking sense often carries a positive connotation.

Unless the person wants to keep smoking, that is. As many do.

QUITTING ~ is subjective, and agree, it may be a positive or negative connotation.... dependant upon ones own preference.

And there is also the quagmire...of people who have opposite beliefs, for example...
People should quit drugs....eh street drugs.
People should keep doing drugs....eh prescription drugs.

I personally oppose both.

God Bless,
Taken
 

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
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I smoke cigarettes. Someone repeatedly beating me down and imposing that I quit; for me is them wanting to glory in my flesh. Should I quit. Of course. I struggle with it everyday but the smoking is not what the Spirit reveals as priority. The priority is my action and speech toward others.
Hi; I saw your comment from a while back on the other thread.

If you can quit; great! but don't beat yourself up; I don't believe in Christians guilt-manipulating ppl over cigarettes.

If you can cut down on cigarettes, then great! maybe gradually you can. Seems like you feel you need some inhales from time to time, though.

Did you ever try vaping as an alternative to cigarettes?
 

justbyfaith

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You know, smoking is mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis it says that Rebekah lit off her camel.

And in Revelation it says, "he that is filthy, let him be filthy still."
 

Brother James

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Jun 2, 2008
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Vaping wasn't a "thing" in 2003 when I quit - or more accurately, when God delivered me from the bondage of smoking and nicotine addiction. I used the nicotine gum to break the habit of smoking, and then I gradually broke the nicotine addiction. That was the hardest part. I smoked for 35 years. At 15 years my body has recovered as well as it is going to from the effects of smoking. I tried many times to quit but could not. I give credit to God for delivering me from bondage because I know I never had the strength to do it.
 
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farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
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Vaping wasn't a "thing" in 2003 when I quit - or more accurately, when God delivered me from the bondage of smoking and nicotine addiction. I used the nicotine gum to break the habit of smoking, and then I gradually broke the nicotine addiction. That was the hardest part. I smoked for 35 years. At 15 years my body has recovered as well as it is going to from the effects of smoking. I tried many times to quit but could not. I give credit to God for delivering me from bondage because I know I never had the strength to do it.
Glad you were able to quit.

Yes, vaping is a more recent thing, generally.

So does Mrs. James smoke? or maybe she never started...