By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC
I am told, “People love stories.” Here is one about my experience as a smoker–which lasted less than ten minutes, maybe only five.
Way back in time Gary was an occasional, weekend, social smoker. We were driving to McCall, Idaho for a fine dining experience, one that would end with him on one knee proposing. We were in our 20’s.
I did not know what was ahead—and surely did not know that he was wishing he had brought a white shirt to wear for the occasion. Nor did I know Gary would ask the maître d to loan him his shirt (for a few bucks). Amazingly, that worked. The shirt fit and the guy had another in his locker.
The drive to the chosen restaurant took a couple of hours. In my idleness I decided to try one of Gary’s cigarettes just to see what smoking was like. Voilà! I was able to light it up. It felt “cool.” Mind you, mini-skirts had arrived on US soil and were “all the rage.” I was wearing one. I watched with interest as ash formed. Seeing how I could make the little, red fire glow intrigued me. “The glow” had me fascinated when—“OOPS! 0h! Ouch!” Hot ash landed on my exposed tender thigh!
“Holy smokes! That did hurt!” I yelled (or some other tame expletive)—but, no swearing, mind you.)
We hear God speak to us in many ways. And, at that moment I was pretty sure I heard my conscience saying, “You know better than this!”
Smoking and going to movies was out of bounds for people within the strict church of my youth. I think I had seen one movie by age 18.
I knew the Scriptures—and they always point the way; like where 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, makes it plain that we are “the temple of God.” There is a question within that passage asking, “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 . . . .”
There are lots of ways we can defile our bodies. Our conscience tells us when we are doing something harmful—or “we see it” when we step on the bathroom scale and realize “obesity” is now “a thing.”
We can also defile our minds and imaginations by way of what we watch on screens, both big and small. Whether in crowds or in privacy our innermost selves (our souls) can definitely change through viewing habits. Unfortunately, addictions to the sordid can take place.
The good news is that Jesus loves us enough to give us a conscience–but we can make our conscience useless by ignoring it. We know when we have sinned. And, when we ask, we gain the Lord’s forgiveness.
When my sons were very small I taught Children’s Church. There was a song we sang with a catchy tune: “Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little eyes what you see! For the Father up above is looking down in love . . . oh be careful little eyes what you see.”
A second verses is about being careful what you hear, followed by a verse carrying the message, “Oh be careful little hands what you do! . . .”
For sure, taking care as to what is received into our bodies and souls is important. 2 Timothy 2:22, advises, “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Author information: Joy Le Page smith is a newspaper columnist who has authored four books. See these on her website: Healing-with-Joy.com where you will also find hundreds of FREE helps to people who are hurting. See children’s book FREE
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