Tobacco Using Contrary to Godliness
[
The Review and Herald, January 25, 1881
.]
As I have seen men who claimed to enjoy the blessing of entire
satisfaction, while they were slaves to tobacco, spitting and defiling
everything around them, I have thought, How would heaven appear
with tobacco users in it? The lips that were taking the precious name
of Christ were defiled by tobacco spittle, the breath was polluted
with the stench, and even the linen was defiled; the soul that loved
this uncleanness and enjoyed this poisonous atmosphere must also be
defiled. The sign was hung upon the outside, testifying of what was
within.
Men professing godliness offer their bodies upon Satan’s altar, and
burn the incense of tobacco to his satanic majesty. Does this statement
seem severe? The offering must be presented to some deity. As God
is pure and holy, and will accept nothing defiling in its character,
He refuses this expensive, filthy, and unholy sacrifice; therefore we
conclude that Satan is the one who claims the honor.
Man the Property of Christ
Jesus died to rescue man from the grasp of Satan. He came to set
us free by the blood of His atoning sacrifice. The man who has become
the property of Jesus Christ, and whose body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost, will not be enslaved by the pernicious habit of tobacco using.
His powers belong to Christ, who has bought him with the price of
blood. His property is the Lord’s. How, then, can he be guiltless in
expending every day the Lord’s entrusted capital to gratify an appetite
which has no foundation in nature?
[84]
A Sad Misuse of Means
An enormous sum is yearly squandered for this indulgence, while
souls are perishing for the word of life. How can Christians who
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