I recently read a book called “Billy Bray – The King’s Son” by F. W. Bourne. In it, Billy recounts his struggle to quit smoking (pp. 100-101). He speaks of hearing the “still small voice” say to him, “It is an idol, a lust, worship the Lord with clean lips.” Because of this he said, “So I felt it was not right to smoke.”
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:16 (KJB)
Billy was also rebuked of a woman about his smoking habit. After that rebuke he says this, “Now I must give it up, for the Lord is telling me of it inside, and the woman outside; so the tobacco must go, love it as I may.” He goes on to relate what happened next.
Then and there I took the tobacco out of my pocket, and threw it into the fire, and put the pipe under my foot… And I have not smoked since.
He related a key insight next on the page.
I found it hard to break off old habits; but I cried to the Lord for help, and He gave me strength, for He has said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee.”
The scripture he recalled is Psalms 50:15.
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. – Psalms 50:15 (KJB)
Billy used this verse when trial came:
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:30 (KJB)
The struggle was real for Billy, but the Lord was always faithful.
Sometimes the thought of the pipe would come back to me very strong; but the Lord strengthened me against the habit, and, bless His name! I have not smoked since.
This post is not only about quitting smoking, but applies to any sin the is a habit you find hard to break. One verse that helps me is 1 Corinthians 10:13.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJB)
The key to this verse is to look for the way to escape that God provides you, and take it!
God bless, Mike