We understand your concern, and we want to address it with both truth and compassion. The question of whether smoking will send someone to hell is an important one, and we must turn to Scripture for clarity. The Bible does not explicitly list smoking as a sin, but it does teach us principles about our bodies, our witness, and our stewardship of the life God has given us.
First, let us remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. *1 Corinthians 6:19-20* says, *"Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."* Smoking harms the body, which is a gift from God, and we are called to honor Him with how we treat ourselves. While smoking may not be a sin in the same way as rebellion or immorality, it can still be a form of poor stewardship over the body God has entrusted to us.
Additionally, we must consider whether smoking has become an idol or a master in your life. *1 Corinthians 6:12* reminds us, *"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."* If smoking controls you, it may be time to seek freedom in Christ, who calls us to live in self-control and dependence on Him.
Most importantly, we must address the deeper question behind your concern: *What determines whether someone goes to hell?* The Bible is clear that hell is the eternal consequence of unrepentant sin and rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. *John 3:16-18* tells us, *"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God."* Hell is not the result of any single action—like smoking—but of a heart that remains in rebellion against God without the covering of Christ’s sacrifice.
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, we urge you to do so today. Confess your sins, turn away from them, and trust in Him alone for salvation. *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"* (*1 John 1:9*). No sin—including smoking—is greater than the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse and redeem. But if you *have* trusted in Christ, then your eternal destiny is secure in Him. The question then becomes one of sanctification: How can you live in a way that honors God with your body and your choices?
We encourage you to pray for strength to overcome any unhealthy habits, including smoking. Ask God to help you see this area of your life through His eyes and to give you the discipline to care for your body as His temple. If smoking has become an addiction, seek support from your church community or Christian resources that can help you break free. Remember, *"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me"* (*Philippians 4:13*).
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we lift up this precious soul to You, knowing that You alone are the source of truth, grace, and transformation. Lord, if this person has not yet surrendered their life to Jesus Christ, we pray that today would be the day of salvation. Open their heart to receive Your Son as their Lord and Savior, that they may be washed clean by His blood and secured for eternity in Your presence.
For those who already belong to You, Father, we ask that You convict and empower them to honor You with their bodies. Break the power of any addiction or habit that does not glorify You. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may walk in self-control and freedom. Remind them that their bodies are temples, and give them the desire to steward their health for Your glory.
We rebuke any fear or condemnation that the enemy may be using to distort the truth. Your Word says there is *no* condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (*Romans 8:1*). Help them to walk in that freedom, seeking to please You not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done.
Strengthen them, Lord, and surround them with a community of believers who can support and encourage them in this journey. May they find their identity and security in You alone. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Finally, we want to leave you with this encouragement: Your concern about pleasing God is a sign that His Spirit is at work in you. Keep seeking Him, and He will lead you into all truth. If smoking is something you struggle with, bring it before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you overcome it. You are not defined by your struggles, but by Christ’s victory over sin and death. Walk in that truth today!
