Importers It is important for a believer who is addicted to smoking to know if it is okay to smoke while fasting. This issue needs to be considered from several angles, as it has its drawbacks.
Is smoking a sin if it is not clearly stated in the Bible? And is it worth fasting if you can not give up this addiction? It is worth shedding light on these and other issues of concern.
Smoking: a sin or not?
Many people mistakenly claim that smoking is not a sin because there is no clear indication of it in the Bible. The fact is that smoking, like gluttony, drunkenness, luxury, is the most common bodily passion. But the holy fathers interpret the concept of passion as a spiritual disease, which is an obstacle to the salvation of the human soul. Smoking also develops other vices in the human soul. So selfishness begins to manifest itself rudely. Parents who smoke in the presence of their children do not think about the harm they cause to their health. And besides, they inadvertently teach them this harmful business. In this case, the parents act not only against the Christian conscience but also against the rules of human morality.
The conclusion suggests itself: smoking is a sin that destroys your soul. It is more sinful to smoke during Lent, because this period is considered the most favorable for cleansing the body. By the way, smoking is a sin also for the reason that it has a detrimental effect on health. The Bible says that health, like life, is given to us by God as a gift. And a person has no moral right to independently shorten his dependent life. A person who smokes does not realize that he is harming not only his health but also the health of those around him.
Smoking is followed by another sin - self-justification. There is probably no single smoker who would not try to justify his harmful passion. The phrase "If I want, I can quit smoking easily, but now I do not understand this" was said by every smoker. This is a self-deception of a person with poor desire, who is ashamed to admit to himself that he is really addicted to smoking. All attempts to justify smoking seem extremely pathetic compared to the information available to medicine:
- The composition of tobacco contains a strong poisonous nicotine (about 2%). By the way, nicotine sulfate is often used in the agricultural sector to destroy pests.
- During smoking, nicotine enters the body and then begins to penetrate the brain.
- People who smoke for several years begin to notice a deterioration in their health. This is due to the fact that nicotine poison eventually finds a weak bond in the body and causes a serious illness.
- Scientists have proven that nicotine contains a large number of carcinogens that cause cancer.
- Radioactive substances in the composition of tobacco cause a strong blow to health.
This is just a short list of the disadvantages of smoking, and other equally serious problems follow. Smoking also leads to divorce because it is an undoubted blow to the family budget, which means constant scandals. In such quarrels, a smoker can not adequately control his emotions, which leads to terrible vocabulary and even attack.
Is fasting a good time to quit smoking?
It is foolish to ask if you can smoke during the fasting period, because it is this time that can serve as the most important reason for quitting smoking.
A person has to fight all sinful tendencies, especially when it comes to your health. Maybe it is the time of fasting that will become a real opportunity for you to say goodbye to this bad habit.
Of course, everyone understands that people who smoke for a long time will find it extremely difficult to quit smoking.
If your willpower allows and you can quit smoking in an instant, this, of course, is commendable. But not everyone will be able to take such a step. For many people, a gradual approach to this difficult issue is more appropriate.
How to stop smoking during Lent?
The time of fasting is a fertile period for committing deeds. It's time for you to do it. This sinful custom even takes place in the popular saying: "To smoke - the devil to incense". If you do not quit smoking during fasting, then everything else, in principle, will no longer make sense. How can fasting be considered valid if a person does not give up his greatest addiction? Certainly not.
The best help in the fight against smoking is Orthodox prayer. A wonderful prayer before God awakens the conscience to take harsh measures against itself.
Lent is a blessed time when, through the sacrament of communion, a person joins God in prayer. God gives him strength and health for new deeds. Read a prayer, talk to a priest about the sinfulness of smoking, go to union, and you yourself will want to say goodbye to this addiction.
Many people advise to quit smoking on the last day before the start of Lent. The bottom line is this: smoke in the evening and before you go to bed, place an empty pack of cigarettes on the table next to you and next to it a note "I do not smoke from today". You can also place an empty match box or a used lighter next to it. On the one hand, this is a fun medicine, but on the other hand, it is very effective. Thanks to this method, thousands of people quit smoking.
No matter which way you choose to quit smoking, the main thing is to believe in yourself and in God.
It will give you strength and help you quit smoking.
Unfortunately, most believers give up this abominable habit only during fasting, and after that they start smoking again. But as they say, it all starts small. Maybe this will be your small step towards a big business. Think: if you have managed not to smoke during the period of fasting, then you can not say goodbye to the painful poison that eats your soul and body?
Also, clergy are advised to confess regularly. You can not restrain yourself and smoke a cigarette - repent, seek the advice of your spiritual mentor. Priests sometimes impose repentance on smokers. These are special rules of prayer. For example, if you want to quit smoking, then read the canon of repentance for Jesus Christ every day while fasting. This method acts as a psychological environment. Either way, it also helps a lot.
In any case, never give in to discouragement. Scripture says, "Ask, and ye shall receive. "If you believe, pray, and ask God for help, you can quit smoking once and for all and truly enjoy life.