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The Tobacco Habit

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 22.

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The Tobacco Habit

By S. H. Carnahan

S. H. CARNAHAN
ALTHOUGH the modern word “tobacco” is nowhere mentioned in the Bible, the spirit of the Holy Scriptures condemns the habitual use of tobacco, as illustrated by the texts referred to below. And to the gentler sex I would say, Consider well whether gum-chewing, especially in the excess to which it is carried, is not also condemned therein. Almost invariably when they speak their honest convictions, users of tobacco acknowledge the habit to be injurious and uncleanly, and one which becomes master of the user.
In this light let us consider the following Scripture statements, warnings, and admonitions:—
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Rom. 6:16.
“No servant can serve two masters.” Luke 16:13.
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” Rom. 6:20. But blessed thought! we may be “made free from sin, and become servants to God,” having our “fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Verse 22.
The habit may seem to some to be harmless; but “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12.
The devotees to this habit “are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy” (Ps. 14:3), “full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.” Isa. 28:8. For all such this cry might be appropriate: “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me” (Job 17:1), as perhaps no other thing is so undermin­ing the health of the people to-day. Statistics show that this habit has unfitted many young men for service in various occupations.
The woe pronounced in Hab. 2:16 against him who furnishes his neighbor strong drink would apply also to him who furnishes opium or tobacco; for the users will have it even if their families must go destitute of clothing and food. This is truly a species of idolatry, and is condemned by the command: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:3.
It is well known that tobacco impoverishes the soil on which it is grown. And when burned in closely confined rooms, it is a good insecticide because of the deadly poison which it contains.
Moses admonished the people against permitting a poisonous herb among them. See Deut. 29:18, margin. Notice carefully these words, given by our Lord and Saviour to his apostles for us:—
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 1 Cor. 7:1.
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thess. 4:7.
“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5:22.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:20.
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:17.
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Cor. 10:14.
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. . . . But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 9:25, 27.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Cor. 6:17.
“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phil. 3:19.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.
Of the metropolis of the new earth, the capital of the universe, the Revelator says: “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination. . . . Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
College Place, Wash.