The whole "temple of God" thing is the kind of thing that seems like it opens a huge can of worms every time it gets brought up. Some take issue with smoking, others with drinking, others with eating too much in general and still others with anything that doesn't fit their specific concept of what a healthy diet should look like. Where the latter is concerned there's a whole mishmash of things that look like scientific advice but where one study contradicts another and where most of us can see anecdotal evidence around us that contradicts all of it.
Just for one example - some say that any alcohol is bad, others say that a small amount of red wine is good for you, others say that drinking in moderation in general is fine. Fish, depending on who you believe, is either very healthy because it's packed with omega-3 and omega-6 oils, or very unhealthy because they swim in the sea and the sea is full of mercury and other toxins.
Since there's not much dispute that smoking is generally very bad for us we might make a stronger case that we shouldn't be putting tobacco smoke into the temple of God but, given the growing evidence of the harm caused by vehicle exhausts, should we say that Christians shouldn't live by main roads or that Christians shouldn't drive cars?
I'm not a smoker and never have been, and frankly would rather someone smokes outside than brings their cigarette inside with them.
As far as unsanitary things going through the mouth (and no not a copout just bare with me, the context implies unsanitary/harmful things entering into the body, in this case by not washing hands)
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matthew 15:8-20
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Pharmakeia is where the word pharmacy comes from, medicine or the study of elements was forbidden and was considered witch craft yet today we are prone to premature death without them. Things have changed but yes cigarettes are bad bad bad for us. We are born with cancer, all of us, and our foods we eat even 'healthy' foods and 'seeds (gmo) are bad for us. Sugar is bad, too much meat is bad, the toxics we inhale 'fuel, gas, work environment poisons/dust our air is polluted. The love of money prevents cures for cancer and indeed radiation treatment is bad, sun exposure and those who work 16 hours a day in harsh conditions (not too long ago children were enslaved in the coal mines). Smoking used to be advertised as a health benefit, so was cocaine cola, heroin was legal and speed is legal to our children generically and opioids for people in constant pain. But most importantly our diet and pill intake (harsh on liver).
Smoking cannabis is scientifically proven to help seizures, but to be real, free will smoking sets off the dopamine receptors (the term Dope comes from Dopamine) which is a fleshy pleasure but getting a message on your phone sets off the same chemical.
We do want to prevent premature death and stay healthy and its best not to smoke or to drink heavily for these reasons (drunkenness is a sin and causes liver disease).
I got saved and quit a few days after, my friend told me that God told him that he wasnt expecting my to quit just then and to pray.... I wish he never said that, a few weeks later I though "well since God didn't expect me to quick perhaps I could have one here and there".... yeah, so now I smoke a lot less but its back none the less. I was doing really good but the flood hit and church was cancelled and my friend told me this and well, a few and I hide it from everybody. I made it a goal years back that no matter what I am definitely without a doubt quitting by the time I turn 35 because research shows that quitting at that age will heal your longa and you shouldn't have any complications in the long run.
I keep it between me and God and and even then I feel ashamed due to the stigma of it all, I do know that when I did quit I got major sugar cravings and diabetes runs in the family, so I got to fight that next. Trials and tribulation but my heart is set on stoping at 35 hopefully sooner.
I just cant let it kill my soul, and as far as my body being the temple, I take that to heart and think about that all the time.
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