It is important for a believer addicted to smoking to know whether it is okay to smoke while fasting. This question must be considered from several angles, because it has pitfalls.
<1_img_centerxx>Is smoking a sin if it is not clearly stated in the Bible? And is it worth fasting if you can't let go of this addiction? It is worth shedding light on these and other troubling issues.
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 point 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 a stumbling block for the salvation of the human soul. Smoking also develops other vices in the human soul. Thus, selfishness begins to manifest itself crudely. Parents who smoke in the presence of their children do not think about the damage they cause to their health. And besides, they unwittingly accustom them to this pernicious enterprise. In this case, the parents act not only against the Christian conscience, but also against the rules of human morality.
The conclusion is obvious: smoking is a sin that destroys your soul. It is all the more sinful to smoke during Lent, because this period is considered the most favorable for the purification of the body. By the way, smoking is also a sin because it has a bad effect on health. The Bible says that health, like life, is given to us by God as a gift. And a person does not have a moral right to independently shorten his life with addictions. A person who smokes does not realize that it is harming not only their own health, but also the health of those around them.
Smoking is followed by another sin - self-justification. There is probably not a single smoker who would not try to justify his pernicious passion. The phrase "If I want to, I can easily quit smoking, but now I don't see the need for it" has been spoken by all smokers. It is a self-deception of a weak person who is ashamed to admit that they are really addicted to tobacco. All attempts to justify smoking seem extremely pathetic compared to the information available in medicine:
- The composition of tobacco contains a strong nicotine poison (about 2%). By the way, nicotine sulfate is often used in the agricultural sector in order to destroy pests.
- During smoking, nicotine enters the body and then begins to enter the brain.
- People who have smoked for several years begin to notice a deterioration in their health. This is because the nicotine poison ends up finding a weak link in the body and causing serious illness.
- Scientists have proven that nicotine contains a large number of carcinogens that cause cancer.
- The radioactive substances used in the composition of tobacco are a serious blow to health.
This is just a short list of the downsides of smoking, and other equally serious issues follow. Smoking also leads to divorce, as it is a big blow to the family budget, which means constant scandals. In such quarrels, a smoker cannot adequately control his emotions, which leads to terrible vocabulary and even assault.
Is fasting a good time to quit smoking?
It makes no sense to ask if you can smoke during the fasting period, because it is this period that can be the most important reason to quit smoking.
A person has to fight all sinful tendencies, especially when it comes to your health. It may be the time of the fast that will become a real opportunity for you to say goodbye to this bad habit.
Of course, everyone understands that people who have smoked for a long time will find it very difficult to quit.
If your willpower allows it and you can quit smoking in an instant, this of course deserves praise. But not everyone will be able to take such a step. For many, a gradual approach to this difficult question is more appropriate.
How to quit smoking during Lent?
The time of the fast is a fertile time to accomplish deeds. It's time for you to do it. This sinful habit even occurs in the popular saying: "Smoking - to hell with incense. " If you don't stop smoking while fasting, everything else will in principle be meaningless. How can fasting be considered worthwhile if a person does not let go of their greater addiction? Of course not.
The best help in the fight against smoking is Orthodox prayer. A miraculous prayer before God awakens the conscience to take severe action against oneself.
Great Lent is a blessed time when, through the sacrament of communion, a person is united to the Lord through prayer. God gives him strength and health for new actions. Read a prayer, talk with 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 Lent begins. The main thing is this: smoke in the evening and before going to bed put an empty pack of cigarettes on the table next to you and next to him a note 'I no longer smoke from today'hui ". You can also place an empty matchbox or a used lighter next to it. On the one hand, it's a fun remedy, but on the other hand, it's very effective. Thanks to this method, thousands of people have quit smoking.
No matter how you choose to quit smoking, the main thing is to believe in yourself and in the Lord.
It will give you strength and help you quit smoking.
Unfortunately, most believers only give up this hateful habit while fasting, and after that they start smoking again. But as they say, it all starts small. It just might be your small step towards a big business. Think about it: if you have been successful in not smoking during the fasting period, can't you finally say goodbye to the painful poison that is eating away at your soul and body?
Also, the clergy are advised to go to confession regularly. You couldn't help yourself and smoked a cigarette - repent, seek advice from your Spiritual Mentor. Priests sometimes impose penances on smokers. These are special prayer rules. For example, if you want to quit smoking, read the canon of repentance to Jesus Christ during the fast daily. This method acts as a psychological framework. Either way, it helps a lot too.
In any case, never give in to discouragement. Scripture says, "Ask and you will receive. If you believe, pray, and ask for help from God, you can quit smoking once and for all and live life to the fullest.