Refuse Tobacco Defilement
95
Strict Cleanliness Required
Men who have been set apart by the laying on of hands, to minister
in sacred things, often stand in the desk with their mouths polluted,
their lips stained, and their breath tainted with the defilements of
tobacco. They speak to the people in Christ’s stead. How can such a
service be acceptable to a holy God, who required the priests of Israel
to make such special preparations before coming into His presence,
lest His sacred holiness should consume them for dishonoring Him,
as in the case of Nadab and Abihu? These may be assured that the
mighty God of Israel is still a God of cleanliness. They profess to be
serving God while they are committing idolatry, by making a God of
their appetite. Tobacco is their cherished idol. To it every high and
sacred consideration must bow. They profess to be worshiping God,
while at the same time they are violating the first commandment. They
have other gods before the Lord. “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of
the Lord.”
Isaiah 52:11
.
God requires purity of heart and personal cleanliness now, as when
He gave the special directions to the children of Israel. If God was so
particular to enjoin cleanliness upon those journeying in the wilderness,
who were in the open air nearly all the time, He requires no less of us
who live in ceiled houses, where impurities are more observable and
have a more unhealthful influence.
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