THE USE OF TOBACCO A SIN AGAINST GOD.
By John Nevins Andrews
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself." 1 Cor. iii, 16-18. Let every person who uses that filthy poison, tobacco, carefully ponder these words of inspiration. That the use of this weed renders a person filthy and disagreeable is too manifest to be denied. That tobacco is a stimulant, producing in many cases partial intoxication, is also an undoubted fact. That it is an active poison, seriously deranging the systems of those who use it, admits of the clearest proof. What right has any man to destroy his own nervous system and cut short his days by the habitual use of poison? What excuse can a man offer to God for intoxicating himself with tobacco? Is such a person able to pray without ceasing? What are the religious exercises of a man worth, who is under the influence of tobacco or opium? Every person who has observed such things must be aware that no reliance can be placed upon them. Is a man fit to join in the solemn worship of God when stimulated with tobacco? Let conscience answer. Brethren, let us all say with Paul in 2 Cor. vii, 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." Do not think this a matter of light importance. Carefully read again the text at the head of this article. If a Christian, you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. If you defile this temple, God will destroy you. Now answer before God, Would not the use of alcohol, opium or tobacco, defile the temple of God? And of the three, is not tobacco the most filthy, both in itself and in its use? Remember that solemn word of admonition which the Apostle affixes: "Let no man deceive himself." Read also the following: "They also that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Gal. v, 24. Is not the appetite for tobacco a lust as much as the thirst for alcohol or the appetite for opium? Have you crucified this lust? If not, according to these words of Paul, do you belong to Christ? Again, will you read Titus ii, 11, 12, 13. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Then the grace of God which has brought salvation to us each, has taught us to deny ourselves of worldly lusts. Will you name anything that will fall under this head with greater propriety than tobacco? It is an unnatural appetite; for nine persons in ten abhor the weed until they have broken down that barrier which the God of nature has erected against its use. Thus it is less excusable than many other sins which men commit. Those who are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord may consider themselves specially addressed in these words of Paul. Do you indulge in this inexcusable worldly lust? If so let me beg you to consider that you cannot thus be presented without spot or wrinkle or fault before God. Eph. v, 27; Rev. xiv, 5. Deceive not yourself. If you would stand with the Lamb on mount Zion, you must cleanse yourself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. J. N. A.