A B C of victory over smoking

When I studied in the high school I had a friend. He was a Christian but he fell into bad company and became a chain of smoker and a drug addict. He was not happy with his bad habits. He wanted to stop them but could not do so.

One day he attended a meeting and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Jesus forgave his sins and gave him victory over smoking. His craving for smoking stopped, because he became a new creature. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Cor 5:17. Now he is working in a power station and shares the good news of salvation and victory in Christ Jesus to others. 

You may be a chain smoker like my friend and want to quit smoking. If you long to have victory over smoking, here are the ABC of victory over smoking for you.

• Accept smoking is a sin: Smoking is an addiction and it spoils your health. So accept smoking as a sin like King David, “For I acknowledge my transgressions. And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned. And done this evil in Your sight” Ps 51:3, 4.

• Believe that Jesus can save you and understand your helplessness: The Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” I Tim 1:15 and “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Rom 10:9. You know that you cannot kick off your smoking habit. Many people were able to overcome smoking by putting their trust on Jesus Christ. Why don’t you try Jesus for your problem?

• Confess your weakness to God: The Lord Jesus Christ is waiting to forgive your sin and make you clean if you confess your sin to Him. For the Bible promises “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” I John 1:9.

• Depend on God for victory: The Bible says, “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37 and “He is able to aid those who are tempted”. Heb 2:18. So do not depend on your own strength but depend on God by saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 2:13. 

• Enjoy the fellowship of believers: You can get the help of a non-smoking Christian friend to encourage you and pray with you. Daily pray and read the Bible. Attend a Bible believing church. For the Bible says, “Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” Gal 5:16.