Smoking cigarettes and vaping are viewed through a Christian lens, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith in God over reliance on worldly habits or dependencies, such as vaping or unhealthy foods. Despite debates on lifestyle choices and maintaining one's body as a temple, Shawn emphasizes that the core issue is ensuring that faith remains central, preventing worldly dependencies from replacing spiritual reliance and underscoring the significance of mature faith discussions over mere rule-following.
Demonizing behaviors through fear-based teaching can lead to rebellion, misunderstanding, and addiction, ultimately fostering unhealthy relationships with actions or items that might be falsely portrayed. A balanced, informed approach to discussing risky behaviors encourages healthier decision-making and prevents unintentional harm.
Smoking Cigarettes: A Christian Perspective
Welcome to Christ's Anarchy with Sean, Ethan, and Steve. Today, our topic is smoking cigarettes. It might seem like a trivial issue, but it's a subject that extends beyond merely what goes into the mouth versus what comes out.
The Vape Shop Experience
Steve joins us today to share his experiences. For those familiar with vaping, this might interest you. When I was around 18 to 20 years old, I owned a vape shop with my friend Kyle. It was a great job because we spent our days hanging out and selling vapes. In my free time, I enjoyed building things. Initially, I built a vape with two batteries. It was decent, but I sought more. Being the extreme person I am, I upgraded to four batteries, then eight, and eventually, I created what I call the "giant black beast," which houses 16 batteries. Although it's missing some now, it's quite the creation.
The Function of More Power
What do the extra batteries do? More batteries provide more power, resulting in more smoke and a longer-lasting vape experience. This dedication highlights my commitment to the art of vaping, though not necessarily as a believer.
Vaping and Faith
So, how does vaping fit into the life of a believer? Have I faced criticism from other Christians? Yes, but it wasn't too severe. Often, if you're embarrassed about something around other believers, they tend to pounce on you. However, if you are confident in your faith and don't worry about it, others are less likely to confront you. I had a friend in a band with me who bought vapes from my shop. While his mother accused me of selling poison, he remained a customer and a friend.
The Question of Faith
The real question is, what does vaping have to do with Christ? At the surface, it seems unrelated. For those Christians upset by me vaping here, consider this: what earthly connection does it have to Christ and His work?
Arguments About the Temple
Paul argues that you are a temple of God, suggesting that you shouldn't engage in worldly behaviors. So, should you defile that temple? My counterargument is the same could be said about energy drinks or cheeseburgers. Many things can harm the body, but moderation is key.
In essence, reliance should not be placed on vapes, energy drinks, or cheeseburgers for happiness—it should come from a deeper place within yourself.
Balancing Worldly Reliance and Faith
In this world, we engage in various activities, but it's crucial that we don't substitute reliance on these things for our faith in God and Christ. As long as our faith remains primary, we're on solid ground.
Addressing Addictions in Daily Life
I can relate to struggles with dependence, like my need for caffeine. I don't consume a large amount, but I drink it regularly enough to avoid severe headaches. This reliance could be compared to other forms of addiction. However, the key issue isn't the physical effect on your body but how it shifts reliance away from God.
Consider our attachment to a comfortable lifestyle or material possessions like a car. If these were taken away, would it affect us deeply? Such an attachment could subtly replace faith if we're not careful.
Advice Versus Spiritual Teachings
While sharing good advice, such as avoiding vaping, smoking, or unhealthy foods, aligns with wise living, it differs from spiritual teachings. Many Christians believe in offering good advice because life is a gift from God, but it's essential not to misinterpret Bible verses to suit personal opinions. For instance, joking about "Chick-fil-A being the chicken of Jesus" might amuse, but it doesn't hold spiritual truth.
The discussion can quickly lead into restrictions, making us known for what we don't do, akin to lifestyles of groups like the Amish or Mormons. I've observed that such discussions might reflect immaturity in faith.
Conversations Beyond Norms
From personal experience, unexpected places like a vape shop can become venues for profound conversations about God and Christ. Individuals often hold misconceived notions about Christianity, associating all with Catholic practices or misunderstanding Christian faith. Engaging in these conversations can correct misconceptions and deepen faith.
Perspectives on Lifestyle Choices
Discussions also extend to lifestyle choices like self-defense and its effect on longevity. Some argue that avoiding risks could extend life and outreach, but these discussions can become overly focused on rules rather than faith. In any environment, like a church on the beach, one could argue both sides of an issue.
When we, especially as parents, discuss faith with the next generation, it's crucial to emphasize reliance on God over worldly attachments, guiding them effectively through life's multifaceted challenges.
Understanding the Impact of Demonizing Behaviors
The Consequences of Fear-Based Teaching
When a parent demonizes their child by saying, "Oh, you can't do this, it's of the devil, blah blah, you're going to hell," they might inadvertently trigger a rebellious phase in the child. At some point, the child may defy everything they've been taught. This scenario is common and could exacerbate underlying issues. Demonizing behaviors such as smoking or vaping may backfire. When the child realizes these actions aren't as severe as portrayed, they might indulge excessively, having not been taught moderation.
Creating Unhealthy Relationships and Addiction
Demonizing behaviors can lead to fear rather than understanding, and this often results in addiction. When individuals try the behaviors they've been warned against—out of rebellion or curiosity—they may become reliant on them. This approach can foster an irrational fear of certain actions or items, creating an unhealthy relationship where one was unnecessary.
In conclusion, adopting an informed and balanced approach to teaching about risky behaviors is crucial. Avoiding fear-based methods can prevent unintentional harm and help individuals form healthier relationships with their choices.
Wrapping Up
And there we have it. We’ve tackled another topic. Next week, we'll explore yet another engaging subject. Join us as we discuss an interesting topic here on Christian AnarchySomeone who follows Christ as their only authority—rejecting institutional control over their spiritual life. Today. See you next time!
