Is it a sin to smoke tobacco or use other harmful substances?
While the terms “tobacco” or “harmful substances” are not explicitly found in Scripture, there are some very clear principles God has given us on this matter. First, the Bible makes it clear that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). When we defile our body temple with harmful substances, God considers it self-harm and takes a strong stance against it:
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17
This same principle can be applied to many hurtful indulgences. Smoking tobacco and misusing other substances make us unclean, while God wants us to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Also, these things soon become very expensive habits that cause us to misuse and abuse the financial resources He provides us (Isaiah 55:2; 1 Corinthians 4:2).
It is a proven fact that tobacco and other drugs can shorten a person’s life span by destroying their health. God says in His sixth commandment that we should not murder (Exodus 20:13), and in Ecclesiastes the Bible wisely counsels:
“Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?” Ecclesiastes 7:17