It is important for a believer who is addicted to smoke to know if smoking while fasting is okay. This issue needs to be considered from many sides, as it has its pitfalls.
Is smoking a sin if it is not clearly stated in the Bible? And is it worth it to fast if you can't give up this addiction? It is worth clarifying these and other troubling questions.
Smoking: 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 illness, which is a stumbling block to the salvation of the human soul. Smoking also develops other addictions in the human soul. Then selfishness begins to manifest itself in a rough way. Parents who smoke in the presence of their children do not think about the damage they do to their health. Furthermore, they unwittingly accustom them to this pernicious business. In this case, 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 even more sinful to smoke during Lent, because this period is considered the most favorable for cleansing the body. By the way, smoking is also a sin because it harms your 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 life with addictions. Smokers do not realize that they are harming not only their own health, but also that of those around them.
Smoking is followed by another sin - self-righteousness. There is probably not a single smoker who wouldn't try to justify his pernicious passion. The phrase "I can easily quit smoking if I want to, but now I don't see the point in it" was said by all smokers. This is the mistake of a weak-tempered person 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:
This is just a short list of the disadvantages of smoking, followed by other equally serious problems. Smoking also leads to divorce, as it is an undeniable blow to the family budget, which means constant scandals. In such fights, smokers cannot adequately control their emotions, which leads to terrible vocabulary and even aggression.
Is fasting a good time to stop smoking?
<2_img_rightxx>It is foolish to ask if you can smoke during the fasting period, as it is this period that can serve only as the most important reason to stop smoking.
A person must fight against all sinful tendencies, especially with regard to his health. Perhaps 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 have extreme difficulty giving up smoking.
If your willpower allows it and you can quit smoking in an instant, this is, of course, worth praising. But not everyone will be able to take that step. For many, a step-by-step approach to this difficult subject is more appropriate.
How to stop smoking during Lent?
The fasting time is a fertile time for performing actions. It's time for you to do this. This sinful habit occurs even in the popular saying: "To smoke - to the devil for incense. "If you don't stop smoking while fasting, everything else, in principle, will no longer make sense. How can fasting be considered valid if the person doesn't give up his biggest addiction? Of course.
The best help in the fight against smoking is orthodox prayer. A miraculous prayer before God awakens the conscience to take severe measures against itself.
Great Lent is a blessed time when, through the sacrament of communion, a person joins the Lord in prayer. God gives you strength and health for new actions. Read a prayer, talk to a priest about the sin of smoking, go to communion, and you yourself will want to say goodbye to this addiction.
Many people advise quitting smoking on the last day before the start of Lent. The main point is this: smoke in the evening and, before going to bed, put an empty pack of cigarettes on the table beside you and a note "I don't smoke from today" beside it. You can also place an empty matchbox or used lighter next to it. On the one hand it is a fun remedy, but on the other hand it is very effective. Thanks to this method, thousands of people have stopped smoking.
No matter how you decide to quit smoking, the main thing is to believe in yourself and the Lord.
This will give you strength and help you stop smoking.
Unfortunately, most believers give up this repulsive habit only during fasting, and after that they start smoking again. But as they say, everything starts small. Maybe this is your small step towards big business. Think: if you managed not to smoke while fasting, can't you finally say goodbye to the painful poison that eats away at your soul and body?
In addition, clergy are advised to confess regularly. He couldn't contain himself and smoked a cigarette - repent, ask your spiritual mentor for advice. Priests sometimes impose penances on smokers. These are special rules of prayer. For example, if you want to stop smoking, read the canon of repentance to Jesus Christ daily during the fast. This method acts as a psychological environment. Anyway, it also helps a lot.
In any case, never give in to discouragement. Scripture says, "Ask and you will receive. " If you believe, pray, and ask for God's help, you can quit smoking once and for all and really enjoy life.