I needed to quit smoking. I had tried a few times, without success. This time I had a new baby and she coughed at my smoke. I asked God to help me. Within a week I had a cough that was so bad I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs. I couldn’t smoke even if I wanted to. After a week of going without a cigarette, I realized I could go another week. I never smoked cigarettes again. The Lord delivered me from an expensive, unhealthy, smelly habit.
Being an old hippy, I had been smoking marijuana for over ten years. I couldn’t imagine ever giving that up. But, after becoming a Christian, getting ‘high’ became a different experience too. I was not going to give it up just because I was a Christian. That seemed a bit legalistic – to give it up in my own strength. I prayed and the Lord changed me from the heart. Instead of enjoying it, I felt like it got in my way. I wanted to think clearly. It felt like being mentally impaired. Being ‘high’ was actually a lower state of mind once I became a new creation in Christ. I didn’t have to give up smoking pot. I just didn’t have a desire to do that anymore.
… put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:21-24
